AIBU in the 1970s

[cleaty]

I grew up in the 1970s, the age of relaxed and free range parenting. If mumsnet had existed then, what do you think mums would have asked in AIBU?

AIBU to laugh at my DD when she cries after I've smacked her? My friend looked shocked when I told her how funny DD looks when she's crying, she thought I should be comforting her instead, but what sort of a punishment is that?

AIBU to put a plimsoll on the piano and tell the children in the Infant School of which I am headmistress that I'm going to use it instead of my hand like the headmaster of the Juniors does when giving children a hiding (in front of everyone) as I don't see why i should hurt my hand.
(Headmistress of my Infant School in the mid 70s said and did that.)

smacking a child then laughing sounds very much like my own abusive childhood.

DD (7) seem to be tired and resentful at number of times she had to nip down to the stand-pipe for water today, I know this summer of 76 is a bit warm but I have plenty to be getting on with indoors and summer holidays aren't all about pissing about.

I have just got my first bounty pack as a newly pregnant mum and am anxious to do everything right. There is a large advert for Guinness on the back of the guide to pregnancy that they have included. I know that Guinness is clearly the best source of iron but with my morning sickness I just can't face alcohol. Are there other sources of iron that I could try or should I try to force down the stout?

(I distinctly remember this advert on DM's book)

chunky My Dr recommends Mackesons stout if you find Guinness a bit much....

My DM had two miscarriages in the 70s, before they found out what the problem was an did something about it. Even so when she did become pg stout was really pushed hard especially in light of her "history"!

My daughter wants to wear a bra! She doesn't start secondary school until September. Yes I've noticed a couple of bumps, but really. Oh and I think it's perfectly acceptable not to allow her to grow her hair long. The hairstyle I make her wear is not childish (cut to chin length, a side parting with a clip), don't you agree? And I want to keep her in a socks/sensible shoes combo for as long as I can. This is what my mum would have asked in the 70's. Despite those restrictions I amazingly did manage to grow up reasonably sane.

Right I know I am no being U, but can someone tell me how much brandy to put in DD's bottle as she is teething. A teaspoon should be enough - told to me by a midwife in 1980.

Aibu to think the black and white minstrel show is the best telly on a saturday nught?

I have been asked by dd' friends mum if I can collect her dd add after school and drop her home. As its a 20 mile round trip aibu to ask for petrol money seeing as its now really expensive at 40p per gallon?

AIBU to think that flinging a board rubber across the classroom is a good way to get a pupil's attention (particularly if the teacher has a good aim!)

And don't get me started on this nonsense of video type calls. I mean you'll have to have your hair and make up done before you can answer the telephone in the hall.

My DD has become a women's libber. She refuses to wear make up or a bra. And she would look so pretty if she just made a bit of an effort. AIBU to worry she will never get a Husband?

To think the teachers should stop the children climbing the tree in the payground. My 9 year old ds has said from the very top he can see over the (3 story) school roof

cleaty. YANBU. I myself call myself a feminist but we have to accept the real world and that it is really important for a girl to learn how to become a good housekeeper and make herself attractive so that she can marry the right sort of man.

I myself would like some advice on names for by yet to be borne babies. I am not keen on all these trendy names (Debbie, Helen, Sarah etc). I am sure that in a few years everyone will go back to the sensible names that we grew up with in the 50s and 60s so I don't want my children to be embarrassed about their trendy 70s names when they are in their teens. I don't want to be old fashioned and use the names from my parents' generation (surely they will never come back in to fashion) so I wondered if anyone has ideas for nice solid timeless names- things like Gladys, Doreen, Brian, Dennis etc. I don't want anything that can easily be shortened to something trendy (so nothing like Penelope/Penny etc).

(Apparently this thinking is why I ended up with a name where even now people do a double take when they see that I am not 20-30 years older than I actually am. Call centres all assume I am in my 70s. And the feminism comment was straight from my DM in the 70s in answer to why I needed to wear dresses and learn to cook cakes when my brother could wear jeans and play out.)

I can kind of see her reasoning chunkymum about feminism. Until women could earn more money, it was very very difficult for a woman to make enough money to support herself in anything but real poverty. So unless you inherited money, getting married was often an economic necessity for most women. And if you had to get married, it made sense to focus on attracting a decent man.

But encouraging you to get good qualifications would have been another way to increase your chance to support yourself. Especially as the world was beginning to change.

And I think Doreen is a lovely name

AIBU to ask my DCs and their friends to stop climbing out the upstairs window onto the flat roof and and jumping off into the garden as they are ripping my new net curtains as they climb out?

My DD is causing a fuss at school with her options not wanting to take home economics. She is a most ungrateful child turning her nose up at the polo neck that I have just made on the knitting machine. Ideas above her station wanting new clothes, the wool from two old jumpers that no longer fitted unpicked.

Anyone else tempted to try that instant mashed potato? Those clever adverts with the aliens have convinced me.

Chunky - Linda?

Is it OK to leave my DD (about 8) in the hotel in France as she has chicken pox and I am holiday with my DH? I've asked the manageress to feed her at lunchtime.

True story - cheers mum!

Another one, is it OK to dry clothes on an electric bar fire? Last week we had a small fire but there wasn't too much damage! It's either that or the aladdin heater!

How did I ever survive with my parents!

That instant mashed potato is a great time saver.

AIBU to feed my DDs Angel Delight two or three times a day? It is one of the few things I can get them to eat.

(family I babysat for. Massively spoiled kids).

Was Angel delight the same as instant whip - at least I'm sure they were made by the same people?