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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

did this performance parenting go over my head???

70 replies

LEMmingaround · 09/07/2014 17:48

Asked other mum what her dd ( my dds best friend)wanted for bday - texted "book token because dd spends SOoooo much time choosing books"-im not even joking Hmm

She knows my dd just got official dyslexia diagnosis and gets upset because she cant read.

So I respond -oooh good idea. Do the same for dd as she does the same now we found the dyslexia friendly section.

Then I sit here thinking ...hang on a minute. ...you smug, competitive parenting (she is the very definition of comp parent and would be proud of the label)cunt..... Angry

AIBU and WIBU to present said child with just that - abook token? When the poor thing is frogmarched to waterstones evrry week to buy the latest translation of the Canterbury tales???

OP posts:
nicename · 09/07/2014 17:54

How old is she? I don't think she was being a CP. Is she normally a bit show-offy?

FWIW, I have two relatives with dyslexia - one is a computer security expert and the other is at uni studying something very hi-falutin (brain biology or summit).

SapphireMoon · 09/07/2014 17:54

Buy her Sponge Bob Square pants book or equivalent.
Child might like it, can guarantee the Mum won't...

jamaisjedors · 09/07/2014 17:55

I don't get what's wrong with her answer or with giving a book token - I loved getting them when I was little and I know DS1 would like one as a present.

But I guess you are feeling sensitive about your DD and this other mum already has form?

TryingToBePractical · 09/07/2014 17:56

I dont really see anything wrong in this. You asked for a present suggestion. The suggestion she gave was I assume a genuine one, ie one her DD would like (and I see no reason why you should not buy it). Many would consider it a boring gift and some children would not be hugely thrilled with such a gift so I can see why she might feel the need to give an explanation for her suggestion.
But it no doubt depends on context. If she has form for competitive parenting it may well be less benign that I read it.

whatsagoodusername · 09/07/2014 17:57

It does sound a bit performance parenting. But I'd have loved book tokens as a kid, because I did spend ages choosing books, so it could well be something the DD would like.

Get DD to ask her friend what she'd like. If she says books, then go for the book tokens.

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/07/2014 17:57

Completely depends. DD loves books, so do I. I loved getting book tokens as a child. However, if you know she has form, maybe YANBU.

campingfilth · 09/07/2014 17:59

I don't get what was wrong with her answer. You asked and she said what would be good how the hell can that be performance parenting.

Your being over sensitive and parents are allowed to say what there children are good at and what they like without it being PP. Jesus only in this country and on MM are people not allowed to be proud of their children.

I loved books, I made my mum go into the library every time she passed it, lots of kids like books and just because yours doesn't, does not mean no-one else's should.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 09/07/2014 17:59

Get her moonsand, loom bands and a trumpet!

noddyholder · 09/07/2014 18:00

Oh no I always get tokens or tokens for kindle for mates kids They like it (I think!) Your language is disproportionately vile for the incident though

BarbarianMum · 09/07/2014 18:00

Does her dd like reading? Because you did ask? Is your dd upset because she finds reading difficult or because her friend doesn't?

Book tokens are always high on ds1's present list.

Pumpkinpositive · 09/07/2014 18:00

I would have loved book tokens as a child. Confused

You sound a little... sensitive, OP.

SapphireMoon · 09/07/2014 18:01

Loom band explosion all over our house!
Recorder?
Obviously the Mum has form or you would not be so irritated.

wimblehorse · 09/07/2014 18:02

When mums have suggested books as presents, I've assumed it's because a)they don't want more plastic cluttering their house & b)you can spend as much or little as you like & still get a thoughtful present

MrsD0nnaLyman · 09/07/2014 18:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MexicanSpringtime · 09/07/2014 18:05

Another one who doesn't understand what is wrong with the suggestion. Are we supposed to never talk about reading around dyslexics?

drudgetrudy · 09/07/2014 18:05

It sounds initially like you may be being unreasonable but you know this Mum and can pick up the subtlety of whether it was a nasty bit of competitive parenting,
To be on the safe side go with the moonsand and trumpet!

NewtRipley · 09/07/2014 18:06

I think that you know what she is generally like, but on the face of this I'd say that her DD loves reading, and that she simply wasn't thinking about your DD at the point you asked her. She'd have to be quite the bitch to say this to hurt you. is she?

kelda · 09/07/2014 18:07

Nothing wrong with her answer. Not CP at all.

thecakeisalieagain · 09/07/2014 18:07

I agree with pumpkin this sounds like you're being a little sensitive. I think it was probably an innocent comment. My kids spend ages choosing books and they can't read yet. My 4 year old would love getting to choose a new book with a book token.

NewtRipley · 09/07/2014 18:07

PS

I used to read at school with a dyslexic child. She had one of the greatests loves of books I have come across.

splendide · 09/07/2014 18:08

I don't get it - was her text a joke? What's wrong with suggesting book tokens?

I definitely don't understand "WIBU to present said child with just that - abook token?" - why would that be unreasonable, she'll be pleased probably.

NewtRipley · 09/07/2014 18:08

Greatest

Billygoats · 09/07/2014 18:09

I'm another one not seen anything wrong with her request or the way she phrased it. YABU and a bit over the top.

NewtRipley · 09/07/2014 18:10

PPS

I love reading and practically lived inthe library as a child. Never read the Canterbury Tales though

Pipbin · 09/07/2014 18:10

I'm dyslexic and I loved reading as a child and still do.
Are you really getting funny because someone else's child loves books?
Would you think the same if your child was a wonderful artist so you suggested paints or pencils when you knew full well the other parents child couldn't draw for toffee.

I think you are a little over sensitive.

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