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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:
ColdJerseySpud · 04/02/2015 18:34

DD1 is shocking at ballet, dancing, sports.

But a brilliant horse rider.

Letmeeatcakecakecake · 04/02/2015 18:36

My child has not an oz of stealth, or grace, is not remotely sporty and can't climb the most basic of objects for shit (he is 5)

He is however, incredibly intelligent, and probably has a better vocabulary than me!

TheFirstOfHerName · 04/02/2015 18:37

This thread is making me feel much better about DS2's delayed motor skills. It is reassuring to hear that he is not the only one.

girliefriend · 04/02/2015 18:37

dd (8yo) is quite good at swimming but God knows it has taken a lot of lessons Grin

She is rubbish at singing (but i haven't the heart to tell her yet Wink)

She is excellent at lego, making me smile, looking after her teddies and playing.

APlaceInTheWinter · 04/02/2015 18:39

muffpuff your post reminded me of driving home one day and DH commented we'd just passed a school where DS had one set of swimming lessons. DS asked which ones? DH replied, the ones where you cried. To which DS responded wearily, 'Dad I cried at all my swimming lessons.' Bless him, he did. Three different teachers. Two different pools. He stlll can't swim.

bexibean · 04/02/2015 18:53

DS is shit at putting pen to paper and making anything but the most abstract shapes. My NCT group keep posting drawings their little ones have made that have necks, fingers, ears etc and M u m m y scrawled casually across the bottom.

He is totally awesome at being excited, digging holes and bird identification

sillymillyb · 04/02/2015 18:53

Ds is nearly 3 and is shit socially, won't go to anyone except me and my mum and freezes completely if anyone else talks to him. He also can't swim and still isn't potty trained.

However, he is amazing at numbers and spelling - he can count to 100 and do basic sums, and can spell and write quite a few basic words.

couchparsnip · 04/02/2015 18:59

DS (9) is terrible at drawing but is great at sport, maths and reading.
DD (7) has the worst handwriting in the class but is a fabulous actor and singer.

Jackieharris · 04/02/2015 19:04

How old are they?

Hundreds of pounds on swimming lessons sounds like an awful lot?

Maybe they were too young.

Plomino · 04/02/2015 19:05

Ds1 is shit at passing his driving test - 2 down so far . But is ace at persevering and working incredibly hard to get what he wants . Test number 3 in two weeks.

Ds2 is shit at singing . Which is a pity as part of his sleep ritual is belting out Coldplay songs at 200 decibels. Badly. But is an amazing scientist who I am convinced is going to be an inventor.

Ds3 is the most untidy person I know. I have seen more ordered landfill than his room . But is ace at being warm-hearted and playing mad games with the little ones.
Dd2 is shit at front crawl . Crawl being the operative word . But brilliant at backstroke, and unbelievably good at finding stuff.

Ds4 is shit at putting his stuff away. Mornings are a nightmare of lost shoes , glasses, lunchboxes , no matter how many times we organise him the night before. But is the sweetest cuddliest child. Albeit shoeless .

gotthearse · 04/02/2015 19:08

DS aged 5 refuses point blank to hold a pencil or eat using his hands (with or without cutlery) but could ride 2 wheeled bike when he was two and knows an awful lot about dinosaurs.

awfulomission · 04/02/2015 19:09

DS1 is shit at being friendly but has lots of friends.
DS2 is very, very friendly but currently has no friends.

Can you tell it's been a shit, shit day? Sad

Lucyccfc · 04/02/2015 19:10

Great thread.

My DS is shit at listening (unless the conversation is about football)
He is shit at drawing, but a maths wizz
He is shit at being in a room in our house on his own and wants to know where I am All the time, but very confident in new situations with other kids.

sosix · 04/02/2015 19:14

I can't bring myself to say my dcs are rubbish at anything precious

Dd1 can be attuiduey and me me shes a teen but is very academic
Dd2 is not academic at all but is very kind
Dd3 is not very helpful but a good swimmer
Ds1 is a thug very hands on but very goid at football for a 2 year old

3littlebadgers · 04/02/2015 19:14

Ds1 brilliant at everything, but shit at keeping his tongue in his mouth when he is concentrating.
Ds2 shit at anything involving gross motor skills, last sports day, in the sack race, his teacher actually picked up his sack and bounced him down the track so the next race could begin! However, he is very charismatic and loveable. Which might explain why he is on level 3 at his swimming lessons despite the fact he pretty much walks up and down the pool splashing his arms and the odd leg.
Dd1 shit at repelling nits but it amazingly creative for a 5 year old and can make anything out of nothing.
Dd2 shit at being born (not yet my due date but I've had enough).

MillionToOneChances · 04/02/2015 19:15

My DS10 is shit at accepting he's wrong. It must be mummy/teacher/the book that's wrong. Ohhhh the rages! Fortunately he's brilliant at cuddles (and maths).

bigglesgoggles · 04/02/2015 19:16

DD (6) is shit at dancing, absolutely no sense of rhythm, but great at 'dancing-like-noone-is-watching'!

She is also shit at swimming but stupidly amazing on a space hopper.

Biscetti · 04/02/2015 19:17

DD1 (23) is hopeless at sport, but is an extremely talented artist.

DD2 (21) is fiercely intelligent, frighteningly so, but is renowned for her lack of common sense.

DS1 (18) is absolutely crap at doing his work, writing and generally anything to do with school. Handy with his A Levels in a couple of months or so. However, he is the most talented all round sportsman.

DS2 (14) is crap at sports, hates them in fact, but is fantastically scientifically minded.

DD3 (6) is totally shit at this whole bike riding issue. She just doesn't get it . But put her in her rollerblades and she puts teenagers to shame.

whatmess · 04/02/2015 19:20

dd (6) is shit at cycling, swimming and eating meat and carbs, but great at reading, socializing and eating fruit and veg.
ds (2) is shit at sitting still and eating fruit and veg, but great at wrapping his parents round his little finger.

Between them they eat a balanced meal.

I am shit at taking dd on her bicycle to ensure she gets better at it and insisting dd and ds eat what I put on the table.

Muskey · 04/02/2015 19:21

Dd is really really bad at sports of any kind except oddly enough swimming.
She is really good at mimicking accents except welsh which is strange because I'm welsh

fondantfancier · 04/02/2015 19:24

My DS is shit at not doing shits in his pants, but brilliant at building with Lego and giving hugs.

My DD is shit at not eating random things and leaving bites marks on the (and other peoples) furniture, but is fab at climbing trees.

Sallystyle · 04/02/2015 19:26

DS 15- Bad at spelling and grammar. Can't keep his volume down. Can't accept being told off. Good things- Amazing little cook and he tries his best at everything he does. Talented artist as well.

DS 13. Really bad at communicating. Crap at controlling his temper. He has awesome handwriting and a fantastic dancer

DS 11. Bad at spelling, can't concentrate on anything for a second. He is very charming and good at socialising and sports.

DD 8- Crap at crossing roads and looking where she is going. No spatial awareness or common sense. Very bright in every subject at school.

DD 6- Pretty lazy, a little spoilt. Very charming and loving. I think she is going to be a good reader.

APlaiceInTheSun · 04/02/2015 19:26

DS1 is a bit shit at swimming and cricket, but is fantastic at football and did his very very best at cross country today. He is also without a doubt the kindest person I know.

DS2 also swims upright (what's that about? why? it's verrrry slooooow) and he has no rhythm whatsoever. He is however brilliant at doing his daily keyboard practice Hmm Grin also at football, and maths. Shit at washing though- utter soap dodger.

enjoyingscience · 04/02/2015 19:29

DS1 (6) is terrible at art. Really bad. Doesn't understand that more than one colour is an option, and has never produced anything remotely recognisable. Lovely handwriting though. He's also great at being kind and funny, and is better than me at mental maths.

DS2 (1) is a shit sleeper. So shit. He is a lovely ball of cuddles and can throw really well.

Goldrill · 04/02/2015 19:32

DD1 is 4 and a bit shit at reading and can't write her own name. Unlike 3yo BF and 4yo cousin.

But y'know; she's only 4. I think she'll pick it up when she feels like it. She's very good at drawing and is a generally lovely, kind and sunny individual.