"The Mummies on the Bus go chatter, chatter chatter" Really?

[BespokeStereophonicVinyl]

So, I attend a regular nursery rhyme session at my local library and 'The Wheels on the Bus' now seems to comprise the above delight, together with the equally offensive "The Daddies on the bus go shush, shush, shush"

I'm really bristling at this example of everyday sexism. Yes, I am a mother, but I am also educated to Post Grad level and have a bunch of fairly heavyweight professional qualifications too. Prior to having DD, I held a senior position in a very male dominated field and really resent the implication that when a woman (who may or may not have children) speaks, it should be assumed that it is mere 'chatter'. I'm also really unhappy with the idea that a big manly man has to step in to shut up all these hysterically chattering women, otherwise where would the world be, eh?

AIBU to take this up with the library/council? I just don't want DD to face the same constant battle that I did, to be taken seriously in life just because she's a woman. I think we owe it to the next generation to challenge this trivialisation of women's opinions.

I totally get what you're saying OP. It's an outdated stereotype, like ephemeral says. I'd be lying if I said it didn't rankle with me: mothers/women as gossipy old harridans, etc.

I prefer to sit in silence on buses anyway

But then the "Miss Polly Had A Dolly" rhyme is out of date too. Doctors doing home visits and coming back the next day with their bill?

Wind The Bobbin Up? I mean

I think you might be overthinking this

This

Mind you I did the same when on mat leave. I was more focused on gender stereotyping in peppa pig though.

Where I am, the grannies on the bus go knit, knit, knit. Which is just factually incorrect. I've never seen anyone knit on a bus on my life.

When have you ever heard the discussions between two men being referred to as 'chatter'?

mothers/women as gossipy old harridans, etc.

^this

The grownups on the bus go chatter chatter for us. Apart from over Easter when we got til that at the previous Rhyme Time too many people had been chatting so go elsewhere if you want to chat- then when we got to 'The grownups on thebus go chatter chatter chatter' someone loudly commented 'Not here they don't!'

Vagueless in our version of Miss Polly not only did the doctor come on a house visit, but he "will be back in the morning if she still is ill", and no mention of the bill. Which, coming from Ireland where it's €50 a pop to see the doctor at all, let alone get one to visit, I felt was a gross distortion of reality.

Crikey, how's your blood pressure holding up?

I'd always rather overthink than underthink........

The mummies on our bus shout 'equal pay!' Or at least I do, under my breath. Annoys me too OP.

It's been a few years admittedly but as far as i remember when we sang it the mummies were shushing. The children were chattering and the babies were crying.

I think you are fairly safe with the Speckled Frogs on their logs.

Yeah, I don't like this either. It is one of those small things that all add up. I never sang those versions to my DCs (plenty of other things to sing). Don't complain to the Council, but maybe gently mention it to the library (I work in one, we wouldn't mind.)

You will be pleased to hear OP that I too am educated to Post Graduate level and hold a senior position in a male dominated industry.

I am also a Mother.

I can state quite categorically that I do indeed 'chatter' on the bus. What else is there to do? Pre DC I would read but that is rather out with two young children so we chatter about what's outside the window or play 20 questions or something.

I obviously have no idea whether you are a regular bus user but if not I can assure you that bus travel is not condusive to esoteric conversation or philosophical musings.

In our local area the Daddies say "I love you", the Grannies "knit, knit, knit" and the Driver says "shush, shush, shush". All of which my own DC have empirically experienced on buses.

Please, please don't complain, you'll be marked for life as that Parent

My local library miss out those verses and stick to what the wheels, doors, lights and horn do.
The librarian also changed the ending of 5 Little Ducks because she didn't like the ducklings ignoring mummy duck but doing what they were told when daddy duck stepped in. I think you would like my local library!!

Op you are really scraping the barrel to be offended. Just get over it now.

Purple librarians rock!!

Oh it's the feminists out taking issue with an innocent nursery rhyme

It's mummies chatting not stripping and showing off their underwear

I've always thought 'I had a little turtle, his name was tiny Tim, I put him in the bath tub, to see if he could swim' teaches a somewhat laissez faire attitude to water safety...

OP, YADNBU. I wonder if all the posters who are quick to say that you're overthinking it are the same parents who just take it for granted that their daughters should prefer pink and frills? Can't possibly be because they're constantly picking up messages about how women and girls should be, can it?

I think YANBU but that you've possibly over-egged it a little bit. I can see that others disagree - fair enough - but quite surprised by the strength of some of the responses and the biscuits tbh.

I wouldn't take it up with anyone though, Rhyme Time is free and run by lovely people and this might upset them.

Not at all relevant but I bloody hate the Wheels on the Bus. Give me a bit of Dingle Dangle Scarecrow any day...

Why do you see "chatter" as negative? It just means "talk informally about unimportant topics".

Not all speech is weighy conversation.

And yes, the men I know 'chat' too. gossip too Don't yours?

It's mummies chatting not stripping and showing off their underwear

The daddies come and tell the mummies to shush in the op's version. That's not a great message to send to children.

I thought the daddies were shushing the babies...

Our version is.. The mummies on the bus say I love you, I love you, I love you. The daddies on the bus say I love you too all day long.

Our kids have a bottle of rum to fill their tums during a pirate song so can't get upset about chattering.