To want these mums and swimming to stop talking about moving the elf!!!

[nowayjose1]

So was on the sides with DS2 (5) watching DS1 at his swimming lesson.

Next to me were a few mums whose kids were in the pool were talking about Christmas. How and when they move the elf and when they sneak the stocking in etc. All the while my 5 year old is hearing all this. I'm not ready for the magic of Christmas to disappear for him yet wahhhh.

So anyway later that day the owner of the swimming school emailed to saying he would be sending out an email to to everyone about something to do about parking at the venue blah blah blah so I just replied and said would he mind just also adding a lighthearted reminder to just have a bit of discretion when talking about Father Christmas and moving the elf etc and just to have a quick check no little ears were listening.

Anyway he basically replied just saying he gets where I'm coming from but he's not going to say anything.

AIBU for feeling pissed off that he can't just pop a quick line in about this?? Or am I going to have put earmuffs on DS2 next lesson

So its ok for them to keep up some sort of weird pretence as you so nicely put it for their own kids but screw everyone else's?

Doubt they were thinking about it to be honest. They were probably just having a chat at the pool, as people do.

Sorry, but what's magical about pretending to your kids that a fat, elderly man sneaks into their house at night? Take them to see Santa, sure, but don't go OTT about the 'he's real' thing and act as if their lives will be wrecked if they find out the truth or overhear one conversation/see an advert. As soon as they are at school, they will be exposed to people telling them he isn't real. Because, y'know, he's not.

I think Santa is okay as it's one night a year and he's not specifically following people about. A creepy elf constantly watching you is just pure mean. And then it's used by parents to control their kids....the Elf is watching, so go to bed or you'll get no presents, etc etc. It's really a horrible new development and let's hope it goes away soon. It's really cruel to kids pretending it's moving around the house on it's own. If they believe that then there's no point telling them the monster under the bed isn't real.

Santa sees you when you're sleeping and knows if you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good. And that was long before elves were even a thing. How mean of you telling your kids santa is real and that he comes into your kids house while they're asleep

Parents have been threatening their kids with 'santas watching' long before eots.

Hey I never said it was a good idea! I just can't come up with better lies on the spot. Like I said, it will almost certainly come back to bite you and turn a non event into a way bigger one. But it's what I would do on the spot, so I assume I'm not the only one.....or am I?

Actually laughing at the fact you emailed the manager.

I kind of get being annoyed at parents talking loudly about this knowing your young son was there. However he is 5. He will hear this sort of thing all the time.

Yabvu to expect the person who organises an activity to tell these parents not to do something about it. I bet he had a really good chuckle at that.

I can't believe anyone would think that's a reasonable way to act.

Nobody is this precious over bloody Christmas

Yes they are. OP is precious enough to have a fecking elf in the first place. Not surprised the swimming coach told her politely to bugger off and sort it out for herself.

I'm happy to join the magic of Santa for children and I'd never say anything in front of a child. But fucking hell, the elf on the shelf shit is annoying.

YABU and I can't believe you emailed the swimming school owner about this. Bonkers, absolutely bonkers.

Those elves are stupid and only cause a faff for all concerned.

I do think people should be discreet about Santa Talk in front of little children though.

I do think YABVVU for expecting the pool management to deal with this. You are a grown up and should be able to speak for yourself!

I am filled with child-like wonder at the Christmas magic that is a biscuit wearing a Santa hat....

. (Not for you, OP - just experimenting)

YABU to expect the manager to add that to his email. It will take away from the serious point that he is making in his message and the whole message will be disregarded by those who read it.

You needed to just cover your son's ears (in an obvious way) and just lean over, smile and ask if they would might not discussing those things at that moment as you want Christmas to stay special for your DS.

Hate the whole elf thing, it's totally naff and must surely get boring by day 24.
I also hate Xmas eve hampers, book advent calendars where you get a new Christmas book every day for 24 days and various other Xmas nonsense.
I like traditional and classic Christmas.
The email to the manager is hilarious I hope he has put it in the staff room wall for all to enjoy.

Am I the only one who read in the OP "...when they move the elf and when they sneak the stocking in etc "...

It's not just about the elf by the sounds of it! If they are also talking about Santa stuff then they were being inconsiderate, but I guess they didn't realise and OP should have done a comedy cough and eye roll. If they do it again, that's what I would do.

Leisure centre manager should definitely not have anything to say on official communications, OP can take more ownership in letting them know to change the topic.

I'm about as reserved and unlikely-to-make-a-fuss as any normal British person, but even I would have had no problem with saying "ahem, little ears here" to those mums.

I'm sure they would have been fine about it. Failing that, ipad and headphones for your DC...

Oh, and elf on the shelf is creepy as fuck.

OP, really? All it needed was a loud cough, a raised eyebrow and a nod at your DC. The other mums would have copped on immediately. Why on earth would you expect the leisure centre to make it official business?

YANBU for thinking the other parents should have been more discreet. After all, if they're so into creating all this magic for their own kids they shouldn't thoughtlessly spoil it for others.

But YABU for asking the pool owner to mention it in his email. That is rather precious I'm afraid.

YABU about the elf. YANBU about Father Christmas.

The poor children must be terrified, I would have been.

I know loads of people with elves non of them do the watching bit. Just a bit of fun.