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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that my child is rubbish?

176 replies

nevergooglebrandybutter · 04/02/2015 13:17

My children are brilliant at lots of things, but having sat through another painful swimming lesson yesterday where they seem to be swimming WORSE after hundreds of pounds worth of lessons, I fear I have to finally concede that MY CHILDREN ARE SHIT AT SWIMMING.

There I said it. Can we just take a moment to think about this? Why is it so hard to just admit that our kids are crap at stuff.

No stealth boasts allowed (ie, my child is shit at being shit) but you can balance it out with something they are good at to help ease your conscience.

So,
DS1 is shit at swimming, but brilliant at cycling of all disciplines.
DS2 is shit at swimming, but brilliant on the violin and ukulele.
DS3 is shit at feeding himself, but has a very charming toothy grin.

Your turn.

OP posts:
FoxInABox · 04/02/2015 15:51

Dd1 is shit at kicking or catching a ball. She is doing great at guitar lessons and writes brilliant songs for her age too.
DD2 is beyond clumsy but is great at reading.
DS is shit at talking too but is absolutely gorgeous and too cute

Babiecakes11 · 04/02/2015 15:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Number3cometome · 04/02/2015 16:01

DS (12) is a genius at Maths & English, far beyond his age, his handwriting is beyond shit and he cannot do even the most basic of sports (except funny enough, swimming, which is he amazing at!)

DD (7) is sporty, clever and excels at most stuff, except swimming. She hates it, she's rubbish at it. She also has a rubbish attitude when being told what to do too! haha!

PesoPenguin · 04/02/2015 16:05

Ds (5) is truly awful at football despite training every week but is awesome at motorbike riding and brilliant at reading and writing.

Bunnyjo · 04/02/2015 16:49

DD (7yo) has amazing academic abilities -particularly in maths and science. She is also a fantastic swimmer and is ASA stage 8.

However, she is diabolical at art and I am currently watching her do the most terrible cartwheels at gymnastics - 3 years of gymnastics training and she still lands on her bottom every fucking time!

DisappointedOne · 04/02/2015 16:50

Don't feel bad about it. We evolved out of the water for a reason!

DurhamDurham · 04/02/2015 16:53

My 17 yr old DD is shit at keeping her room tidy or making a cup of tea without leaving the kitchen looking like she has catered a full lunch for 25 guests. She is brilliant at making me laugh on a daily basis.

My 21 yr old DD is shit at sticking to anything, she flits from thing to thing and is the most disorganised person I know. She is the kindest most thoughtful person I know.

TheWitTank · 04/02/2015 16:56

My DD is also shit at swimming, despite lessons. She is a bloody brilliant horse rider.
DS is shit at using a knife and fork. Literally can't do it. At 7. He tries, takes too long, so ends up eating with his fingers. Take a him an age if he eats with cutlery. Absolutely outstanding at reading (years above his age group) and computers.
I can think of quite a few things that I'm shit/good at!

CPtart · 04/02/2015 16:57

Both DS are fantastic swimmers, particularly DS2 who has beaten children 3 years older than him at galas.
He cannot draw or write a decent story to save his life though, and DS1 is probably the weakest player in his Footi team.

MajesticWhine · 04/02/2015 16:58

DD1 is shit at being independent / going out by herself, but she is very gifted at art.
DD2 is shit at controlling her temper, but great at baking
DD3 is shit at toileting behaviour, but rather good on the stage

Vagndidit · 04/02/2015 17:01

Ds is dyspraxic, so pretty rubbish at just about anything physical. Took a whole year to pass stage 1 in swimming, and he still cannot pedal a bicycle at 7, for instance--

but he's brilliant at video games (particularly Minecraft) and singing.

duvetfan · 04/02/2015 17:03

DS1 is fab at talking and singing but dreadful at sleeping and using cutlery.
DS2 is 14weeks and so far good at screaming but shit at laughing (apparently no one is funny).

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 04/02/2015 17:12

Ds is shit at anything involving co-ordination, so that's basically everything from shoelaces to handwriting to dancing to swimming to cycling to sport.

But he's funny and kind and so loving and he's also learning to laugh at himself. He just tripped over a stool backwards as I started this thread and spent 5 minutes giggling going 'You plum LonnyJr'.

Thisvehicleisreversing · 04/02/2015 17:16

DS1 (13) has the handwriting and conversational skills of a toddler and can't yet swim. He is, however very good at maths, spelling and badminton and does know every single flag of the world.

DS2 (9) is shit as drawing. But he is a very talented goalkeeper and very good at maths and spelling.

They're both shit at making their beds and putting socks in the washing basket. But they're both very, very funny.

I'm shit at most things, but I'm good at making tea.

Original poster
nevergooglebrandybutter · 04/02/2015 18:05

It's good to know that your children are also shit at stuff too.

Some parents give the impression that their children are brilliant at everything. They can't possibly be.

OP posts:
KERALA1 · 04/02/2015 18:10

Mine can't run. Dd2 only 5 but already has a "mum" run ie bum out can't be arsed do I really have to slow jog. Dd1 so humiliated at sports day in reception we both agreed she felt ill the following year and we both stayed at home reading. We live next to the school and could hear the joyous shouts which we did not mention or refer to. Funnily enough she had recovered the following day.

Primaryschoolviolence · 04/02/2015 18:15

My dd1 is shit at nearly all sports except swimming. To win at sports day (she is also shit at losing) she cheated so she's good at cheating... Or maybe i should say she's good at finding alternative solutions to achieve her goals. Dd2 is shit at keeping her temper. She's mainly to be found beating up teachers and the teaching assistants. So she's now very good at going to the hesd and being very contrite. So therefore she has excellent dramatic skills. Dd3 is shit at most things comparatively but we'll let her off as she's only 11 months. She's very good at distracting me from dd1 and dd2!

myotherusernameisbetter · 04/02/2015 18:19

DS1 is shit at being able to speak to people but is otherwise perfect :)

DS2 is shit at knowing when keeping his mouth shut would be the best option but is a delight otherwise :)

myotherusernameisbetter · 04/02/2015 18:20

oh, would add that neither of them is any good at team or individual sports but they swim really really well!

MrsFruitcake · 04/02/2015 18:22

DD is shit at Maths but excels at English and has a lovely singing voice.

DS is shit at not getting into trouble at school but he is amazingly kind hearted and is good at all things practical, especially den building.

Bicnod · 04/02/2015 18:28

DS1 (5) is shit at swimming (OP, I totally relate to the frustration of watching them make zero progress over the course of several years... but he enjoys it and doesn't seem to be aware of his lack of ability so that's something...) but he is amazing at building stuff with Lego, both freestyle and following instructions.

DS2 (3) is shit at trying new food but he mastered cycling without stabilizers in two sessions.

DD (nearly 4 weeks) is shit at sleeping more than two hours at a time at night but she is the snuggliest snuffliest little darling and she smells delicious.

Grin
speck2903 · 04/02/2015 18:29

Mrs DeVere u made me lol. Thankfully, despite my thinking he was shit, my ds learned to swim in november and by july hit level 7 & gave up, so the muddy shitty shoe condoms were endured for minimal time only. He's shit at reading though and practising guitar and not answering back. However,it's second round for me as have twin dds at uni, so I know he must have a good basic gene pool & so I am better at not giving a toss when I hear/see all the playground/facebook comments about how utterly fabulous so many children are.I must be so lucky to live where i do, we are obviously top heavy with perfection in these parts if all that is said & written is trueGrinWink

APlaceInTheWinter · 04/02/2015 18:32

DS is shit at being quiet; running; cycling; gymnastics; swimming; tennis . . .most sports really but he is amazing at dancing; reading; sharing and giving cuddles Grin .

TheFirstOfHerName · 04/02/2015 18:33

DS1: no aptitude for learning new languages, but compassionate and witty.
DS2: pants at anything requiring motor skills, but an astounding memory.
DD: rubbish at doing anything under timed conditions, but creative and artistic.
DS3: painfully bad at musical pitch, but amazing sense of direction.

muffpuff · 04/02/2015 18:33

DS (8.5 years) has had 4 rounds of swimming lessons but still can't so much as paddle with a float.

He can however identify any car model and year with a quick glance, not sure this is life saving though.