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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

… to think there's something wrong with me? :(

175 replies

Dieu · 12/09/2016 19:30

No piss taking please, as I feel genuinely, irrationally upset at this moment!
My 10 year old daughter just asked if I would plait her hair. My heart sunk, as I am completely rubbish at doing hair. I tried and failed, so we looked up THE most simple hair braiding youtube tutorial. I still couldn't get it, or what my hands were supposed to do. Teenage daughter (girls are wasted on me, with my poor hairdressing skills!) came into the room, and did her hair in two seconds flat. I also couldn't get my head around it when she showed me. Than it struck me that I have failed 8 driving tests (the theory was aced first time). Could it be linked? Academically I am bright; I have a first class degree and can speak several languages. However, my practical/manual/co-ordination skills completely suck! I actually felt embarrassed just there in front of my daughters, and pretty fucking ineffectual. Is anyone else like this? Can't help but feel that I'd be diagnosed with something, if still in childhood (I should add that I possess good writing skills, etc). Of course it could be that I'm over thinking this, being too hard on myself, and that I just happen to be shite at practical driving tests and hair!

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Room101isWhereIUsedToLive · 12/09/2016 19:32

Sounds like classic dyspraxia to me. I was diagnosed at fifteen.
On the driving front, have you tried an automatic as opposed to manual?

Original poster
Dieu · 12/09/2016 19:33

Thanks Room101. My failed tests were done in an automatic Blush

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Original poster
Dieu · 12/09/2016 19:37

I think my intelligence (I'm far from Britain's brainiest) is more academic than practical. I've always been the same I think.

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Puzzledconfusedandbewildered · 12/09/2016 19:39

This is me. I have passed my driving test but have scraped my car 4 times where I've not got the spacial awareness to judge gaps Blush I now er on the side of caution and don't go for a gap.

I'm dyslexic

harderandharder2breathe · 12/09/2016 19:44

Me too! I was an academic kid but have no awareness of my own body and no co-ordination

Original poster
Dieu · 12/09/2016 19:45

Glad to see I'm not the only one! Thanks all Smile

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JennyOnAPlate · 12/09/2016 19:50

Sounds like dyspraxia to me too. Can you tie shoe laces?

Original poster
Dieu · 12/09/2016 19:53

Yes, I can. No problems there at all. My mathematical skills aren't great, but I don't suppose that's linked.

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insan1tyscartching · 12/09/2016 20:00

I'm just the same, high achieving academically but can't drive in spite of years of lessons and failed four driving tests and then gave up because I was no better at driving on the fourth test than I was on the first. I can't even steer but can reverse park and bay park only because instructor taught me how many times to turn the wheel and which and had strategically placed stickers in rear window so would ace the bay park and then fail as I left the car park for driving over kerb, hesitating or impeding other drivers.
I can do a simple plait though but anything elaborate dd1 does for dd2.

Lules · 12/09/2016 20:01

I'm a bit like this - it's like I can't 'see' the steps. It's weird but it hasn't affected me too much. Apart from the first time I tried to put the rain cover on the pram. It took me 45 mins and loads of YouTube tutorials and I still couldn't do it properly

Original poster
Dieu · 12/09/2016 20:02

God, I love you lot. We should start our own club!

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Original poster
Dieu · 12/09/2016 20:05

Hi insan1ty! How's Eric?
I aced reversing round a corner. Funny how the brain takes to some things no problem, but not others. It wouldn't matter how much I practised parallel parking … it just wasn't gonna happen!

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StillNoInspiration · 12/09/2016 20:06

Don't feel bad! I failed my driving test because I pressed on the accelerator instead of the brake. I crushed the whole front of the car. Blush

TweeterandtheMonkeyman · 12/09/2016 20:07

I'm the same - it takes me ages to master a new practical skill. Driving took 4 attempts to pass and so many lessons you wouldn't believe. I couldn't tie my laces till I was 11. Have recently mastered the French plait through sheer blood sweat and tears Grin Did it for my dd! I was actually assessed for dyspraxia as a child back in the eighties but they said I was borderline normal Confused Also I'm left handed which has often added to my difficulties with practical tasks.

Original poster
Dieu · 12/09/2016 20:09

Poorly coordinated hugs all round!!

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Room101isWhereIUsedToLive · 12/09/2016 20:09

Being rubbish at math's is definitely linked to dyspraxia. Mine has improved with age, I can do things like plaits but the one thing I am cursed with is terrible handwriting. I also have days where I kind of relapse and end up dropping things, spilling things and tripping over.

TweeterandtheMonkeyman · 12/09/2016 20:10

Oh God the prams and carseat I have totally failed to comprehend Lules . I had to trade in the Quinny Buzz Confused for a basic Maclaren stroller asap !

Room101isWhereIUsedToLive · 12/09/2016 20:11

French plaits? Nope can't do those!

Original poster
Dieu · 12/09/2016 20:11

That's interesting Room101. My handwriting and spelling are excellent. Sounds boastful but I need to big up my strengths!

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Original poster
Dieu · 12/09/2016 20:13

Oh yes, I too would be EXCEPTIONALLY poor at following written instructions, for self-assembly, DIY, etc. I'm usually the most laid-back person you could meet, but will get frustrated to the point of tears with instructions! On the plus side, I can empathise with how kids must sometimes feel!

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Shakey15000 · 12/09/2016 20:14

This is me Grin And DS (9)

I gave up driving years ago. I owed it to pedestrians and drivers alike. Zero special awareness.

I have no cooking skills or inclination to be fair The ONLY time I have ever baked anything is when DS had to bake biscuits last year. We both looked at the recipe every which way, non plussed, gave it a bash and they were shite Grin

DS has an astounding memory for facts/statistics but cannot recall simple instructions. Like, bring your PE kit home. If it doesn't interest him, it doesn't occur to him.

Interestingly, we're both not great at maths.

Original poster
Dieu · 12/09/2016 20:17

Oh Shakey, that's hilarious about your biscuits!

I also wouldn't be able to read a map to save myself.

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insan1tyscartching · 12/09/2016 20:17

He's still a bloody nuisance tbh Grin Having said that I did laugh earlier when dh came home and told me a bloke had come out and asked him what he thought he was doing. Eric was on a sit down protest outside his door because their bitch is on heat as it's not the first time this week dh has been stood there and he couldn't see Eric through the window I think he thought dh was casing the joint Grin
See I never mastered reverse around a corner because I never worked out which way the wheel went.

Shakey15000 · 12/09/2016 20:18

Oh and the bloody IRONING BOARD flummoxes me every time Hmm

No matter how many times I have used it, when it comes to putting it down I always struggle! After looking like this Confused for a while.

Original poster
Dieu · 12/09/2016 20:19
Grin

Teddy is a bit of an annoying teenage brat at the moment. I think the snip will soon be in order! Thank fuck I'm not a vet anyway Wink

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