small, boy shaped, environmental criminals?

[idiuntno57]

I was in the supermarket this afternoon with my x4 DS. They are very close in age and I got the (very familiar) "are they all yours " question from someone in the checkout behind me.

My immediate response was "yes...and I know they are an environmental crime but they make me very happy". Not sure why I said this. Person laughed nervously but clearly thought they were an environmental crime but was a bit surprised that I'd said so.

AIBU to think that I have just swallowed too much mumsnet bile about big families (and their environmental criminality) and should have said something much more witty (and what could that be?)?

'Do they have the same father?'

'I guess so, but I didn't check the registration of the space ship that beamed me up for a bit of probing. Still at least as a woman I didn't get the anal probe; just knocked up'

No one in their right mind would think the mother of 4 little boys was anything than bloody hard working! Don't sweat it. I would think '4 boys! Lovely!'

What about the problem of an ageing population? We need more young to look after us...

I can't believe people actually ask people if all of their children are by the same father.

Actually yes I can - have had a number of strangers ask if my pregnancy was planned.

I like the cheerful, "no idea!" And the aliens :o

I have been known to say that I have pension concerns, and that's why I had them.

Or that I bought a minibus and it seemed a waste not to fill it.

For all you know the person behind you could have had a larger family than you.

I have also said in the past in response to the same question "it took us a while to understand contraception". That's worse isnt it?

Sorry but I think you were rude.

Nobody would think "oh my goodness that woman has damaged the environment by having four children" when they made that comment. They probably just thought "wow, she's got her hands full!" and you made a sarcastic comment back.

Bet they'll be rushing to make conversation with the next person in the queue now.

You could always just respond "our tv is broken" ??

As for the 'same father' questions i'd just shrug and say "who knows"

I love the no idea answer I might use that next time.my eldest does have a different dad the other five are by DP I just don't know why people care.

I've had, "was your tv broken?!" Said with a leery grin.

I may have replied, "who on earth would choose tv over sex?!"

I'm not likely to make that sort of comment but if I overheard it I would just think

What the actual fuck!!!!!!

Wouldn't occur to me that "are they all yours" would be an attack on your green credentials!!

It's just a question, isn't it?

What- asking someone in front of their children if all your DC have the same father is okay?
I'd consider that exceptional rudeness!

They could have 6 different fathers, Idris- it certainly wouldn't be anyone else's business. But I am surprised that someone would ask it of you Pink, if you've just two, or is there an unusually large age-gap perhaps? Still very rude, especially if the children understand what people are implying.

Anyway OP- it would be you that was the criminal rather than your children!

You know what nerf I am. Maybe one of them will find a cure for AIDS or something then I will be exonerated.

I find your answer very funny, actually :)