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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think there's nothing 'wrong' with my parenting and the NHS doesn't need to fix it?

165 replies

oneandnotlonelyk · 31/07/2014 11:05

I took dd for her 2.5 year health check a few weeks ago. I hadn't been to the doctor or health visitor for either of us since dds one year check as we're both pretty healthy, and no issues to report.

At the check, the hv asked about our sleeping arrangements, I said dd sleeps in my bed with me (she goes to bed earlier obviously), the room is safe and toddler proof. She has her own room and bed but prefers mine. The hv seemed ok with it, but then said I have separation issues and should consider counselling. I responded, telling her I'm happy with the situation, as is dd, I said the situation originated when I was bfing and found it easier to co sleep. I said I like co sleeping, it works for us, I like being close to dd, we cuddle etc.

Hv said dd will become too dependent and won't want to move out as an adult, I'm not prioritising my needs to meet a man (I'm a single parent) and therefore not teaching dd how to have a relationship with a man. I did (tongue in cheek) say that as my own relationship had failed, perhaps I'm not the best person to teach dd about relationships with men (haha) and that dd goes to a childminder four days a week while I'm at work, which she loves, so clearly dd isn't dependent on me.

As the hv admitted dd is doing well, is healthy and happy, Aibu to be really passed off that since the appt I've had two more phone calls from her and another hv about my 'separation issues' with dd, plus a gp referral?! I don't think I need counselling, nhs time and interference when I'm doing what I feel best for my dd and millions of people cosleep in other parts of the world. I'm a bit worried that they are going to keep harassing me.

OP posts:
Shia · 31/07/2014 11:38

Prioritising your needs to have a man?

No one 'needs' to have a man.

This in itself is vile.

Let me guess, she's old and has never had children? She sounds very much like the horrible old biddy I had as a health visitor with my daughter.

sebsmummy1 · 31/07/2014 11:39

To add I co slept while I was breast feeding and my toddler made a transition to his own bed every night without a murmur and doesn't get on the slightest bit upset being in a dark room on his own where he stays ALL NIGHT. So this idea they have that feeding the baby to sleep every night causes issues etc etc does seen to be based on a few people and not the majority. To my mind the most important aspect in all of this is a sleeping child and a happy Mummy.

SlicedAndDiced · 31/07/2014 11:40

Never ever listen to a hv Grin

That rule served me well last year with my first and I'm sure it will this year with my second.

deakymom · 31/07/2014 11:42

pmsl ive got a referral to the early years intervention team my crime is having a husband who works Grin and my son is quite a handful apparently i need to be more firm with him i was politely Hmm about it as i had just told her i do have to drag my son to school some days i really don't see how more firm i can be!

tell them to leave you alone put in a complaint about her personal issues with your lack of relationships surely she is not suggesting you join the ranks of open door open legs? 16 kids by 16 dads?

Picklepest · 31/07/2014 11:42

HVs shouldn't be allowed to deal with the general public. Numpties the lot of them. IMO social workers should recommend visits to concerning families by hvs so 'normal ' families wouldn't be bothered by this idiotic branch of NHS money mis management.

But I'm biased. I can't stand hvs and apart from seeing extreme social need think they shouldn't be allowed as too stupid for words.

2old2beamum · 31/07/2014 11:50

YANBU what load of cobblers!!

Mind you maybe you should have concerns when she is older and brings her boyfriend to share the bed,Grin

Carry on enjoying your daughter

BeerTricksPotter · 31/07/2014 11:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsWinnibago · 31/07/2014 11:53

Deaky what a horrible phrase.

Frontier · 31/07/2014 11:53

LOL Pickle, I don't think my views are quite as extreme as yours but I do wonder what the point (and cost) is. My Hv's were "OK" didn't say anything too ridiculous but didn't give me any real help either, mostly because I didn't need it. I had a good family network, comfortable income, no PND, supportive Dh etc but still I saw my HV every 2 weeks with DS1 (I thought I was "supposed to" and they never told me I didn't need to keep turning up.

The cost of that must have been huge for no benefit whatsoever, whereas families that really need the help don't engage, so don't get it. The money is spent "helping" the wrong people.

Shia · 31/07/2014 11:54

My first health visitor was Olly Mingold. She was brilliant but sadly no longer working as one.

Yes there are a few good one but from my experience in the last nineteen years I here far more negative experiences than positive.

WienerDiva · 31/07/2014 11:56

The pp who said lie is right!

Got the ear bashing of a lifetime when I mentioned to my HV that I was considering bottle feeding as bfing was doing my head in. She told me we wouldn't bond as well (cheeky bitch). Anyway, went back a few later told her I was still bfing (no I wasn't) and the fucking idiot said she could tell as me and baby were so cuddly. And we co-slept, I never had the nerve to tell her that though.

Anyway, complain (I didn't but wish I had). She is a twunt.

justanotherbiscuit · 31/07/2014 12:01

That is disgraceful from a hv. Christ are they giving out relationship advice now Shock

I didn't get "signed off " (her words ) at my dd 8 week final Home visit because I asked if she knew of any mother and baby exercise classes!

My dh was there and she started talking over me to him asking if he thought I was overly concerned about getting back in shape... oh ffs stop trying to convince me I'm not well.

I went online and found a class myself. I've still to go Grin

Definitely make a formal complaint.

oneandnotlonelyk · 31/07/2014 12:07

I find it ridiculous that she could see dd is an independent child, yet due to my co sleeping the hv has declared her adult future. I was asked whether I wanted dd to lead an independent adult life or live with me until 40, as that was what I'm encouraging Hmm

I did say that as I'm very independent myself, self sufficient etc then I thought dd would learn from that. hv told me that yes, dd will have a career like me, but probably not fulfilling relationships. I am beyond words at how hv can proclaim the adult future of my child. I can't see low setting an example of being a strong, independent and self sufficient woman who gives her child lots of love can be bad for a child.

I'm far from perfect, but surely hv has better things to do than bash me. Even though I don't believe her, I do feel uneasy and question myself due to her conviction. Thanks for the reassuring responses!

OP posts:
TheLovelyBoots · 31/07/2014 12:18

I'm just guffawing at my computer about the HV who brought a ski yogurt and a sugar cube for the "which is better" quiz. Surely the NHS understands you don't give a baby ski yogurt?

Frontier · 31/07/2014 12:23

I don't know which answer she wanted Lovely. Suspect there's more sugar in the yogurt. Actually that's reminded me that my HV told me a "fruit" yogurt counted as one of DS's 5 a day.

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 31/07/2014 12:24

My DD is nearly 7 and still jumps in my bed at night, she has no attachment issues. Shes fairly independent despite her autism.

Oh and I've been single for 5 years, dont want or need a man, I do fine on my own.

MagicMojito · 31/07/2014 12:27

OP you have had a bad experience with this hv. I would write a letter of complaint and avoid her in future.

However I think its a massive generalization to say that health visitors don't know what they are talking about and are best ignored Hmm

Yes there are bad ones out there (like in the OP's case) however the majority are very sensible and helpful professionals who give up to date advice and recommendations, which you are free to take on board or ignore. My hv has been wonderful can you tell?

fairgame · 31/07/2014 12:28

She sounds like an absolute loon! Ive been single for 8 years so god knows what she would make of me!
Some of them are a waste of space. Mine was good at supporting me with pnd but failed to pick up on DS behavioural problems and asd. If she had then he could have had lots of early intervention which would have helped but instead he missed out on it. Maybe she was too busy picking on co-sleeping mums!

TheLovelyBoots · 31/07/2014 12:28

Those diabolical pots of yogurt have a lot to answer for, IMO.

SlicedAndDiced · 31/07/2014 12:37

God knows where all these knowledgeable and wonderful hv are hiding!

I've never met one, neither did any of my friends, or anyone I've talked to about one. And we are fairly spread out.

We must just have terrible luck! Grin

whatableedingmess · 31/07/2014 12:37

What a staggeringly thoughtless HV. Her head would have exploded if she met me. He co-slept with DH and I all in the same bed up to the age 9. At 9 the bed was getting cramped so DH and I slept in separate rooms and ds would sleep with one or other of us as he chose. This didn't stop until he was 12!! At 12, puberty kicked in, he said he felt too old for sleeping with his parents and just upped and moved to his own bed where he remains. Nobody had a cow about it or made a big deal about it. Off he went and DH and I moved back in to the same room.

Our family thought we were insane, rod for your own back etc, ruin your marriage etc, make ds too dependent on you etc, he'll never leave home etc. DS is the most secure, confident and independent kid you could imagine. He has no trouble with sleepovers or extended school trips, even when he was still co-sleeping he would go off and sleep on his own overnight at a friends or for weekend/week here and there with his school or with family without batting an eyelid.

What is more, DH and I are still together, AND we managed to have a sex life throughout all of this. You stick to your guns OP. It sounds like you know your own mind anyway and aren't going to let this HV get under your skin.

whatableedingmess · 31/07/2014 12:38

DS co-slept with DH and I ...

firefly78 · 31/07/2014 12:42

what an idiot. and knows nothing about attachment. your child sounds great, well adjusted and secure. My almost 7 year old often ends up in bed with me thats if im not in my 3 year olds bed with him!

EauRouge · 31/07/2014 12:45

Bloody HVs. I had two sent around for DD2's 1 yr check and all they did was pester me to give an age that I would wean DD1 (who was 3yo) off the breast. They got proper shirty when I refused to specify an age. Haven't bothered seeing a HV since. Some of them just like throwing their weight around.

Smoolett · 31/07/2014 12:47

Yanbu HV spout some utter shite and I think this is prime example. I think your arrangement sounds lovely.I love having snuggles with my dd. I used to cosleep with my mam until I was 5. Im fine I married when I was 26 and im perfectly normal. I now have a lovely relationship with my mam and hope to have the same with my DD. Ignore!

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