To think that if you're single and have a dog...

[QuattroFormaggio]

you shouldn't describe yourself as a 'single parent'?

Someone I know is single. She has just got a puppy and keeps going on about how hard it is being a 'single parent' (to the dog, she has no kids). I'm disproportionately offended by this. I'm not even a single parent, but my sister is and I know how hard it is for her. Heck, I find it hard enough with two parents around.

Is this expression normal for pet lovers now?! I have no pets so willing to be educated but can't promise that it'll stop me feeling offended by how it minimises how hard parenting actually is Just to clarify, I'm sure having a puppy is very hard work, it's the expression I'm offended by.

My first AIBU, I await the flaming.

Get over yourself OP.

Why does it matter to you how another person describes themselves?

So if I married your ex-Husband, can I then call myself your child's Mum?
Sure. That wouldn't irritate you at all
It would be wrong, as I wouldn't be your child's mother.
And unless we now have human/canine hybrids, no woman has ever given birth to a dog.
Calling yourself the 'single mother of a pet dog' is somewhere between idiotic and tragic.

Single mother... to a dog ?!

And unless we now have human/canine hybrids, no woman has ever given birth to a dog

So giving birth birth is what defines motherhood?

Verybutchy

So giving birth birth is what defines motherhood?

Adoption and surrogacy aside- which are the exception rather than the rule, Yes, giving birth to a baby is what defines motherhood.

I'm sure you're not trying to compare the gruelling adoption and surrogacy processes to the decision to buy a pet dog?

And you knew exactly what I meant anyway, lets not derail the thread.

Nobody is a parent to a friggin dog. It's mad. There's absolutely no comparison but they can't be told. Let her crack on.

I'm sure you're not trying to compare the gruelling adoption and surrogacy processes to the decision to buy a pet dog?

No, I'm challenging the notion that motherhood is defined by giving birth.

And I'm not derailing anything, unless you think someone challenging you on something you've said = derailment.

And you knew exactly what I meant anyway

I have no idea what you meant. I don't know you. I can only respond to what you said.

I don't think pet ownership is directly comparable with motherhood. But there are better arguments against it than "no woman has ever given birth to a dog."

I bet this woman would crack up laughing if she saw the reactions here, to such a flippant comment

I bet this woman would crack up laughing if she saw the reactions here, to such a flippant comment

I still reckon you'd get more sense out of Dog Mummy than one of those Mummy's Pwecious Pwincess on board types.

I still reckon you'd get more sense out of Dog Mummy than one of those Mummy's Pwecious Pwincess on board types
Really?
You parent children. You own dogs.
It's that simple.
If someone can't differentiate between the care responsibility of two species, then I highly doubt their general level of conversation.

And I hate Baby on Board stickers!!

Sense of humour bypass anyone?

Ha ha, she's an idiot, sorry and I say that as a dog owner who definitely thinks of her dog as a child substitute (can't have children)

If Daenerys Targaryen can be Mother of Dragons then I can bloody well be Mother of Cats. I have actual children too. Do I get special dispensation because I'm a widow

Who cares. It's harmless.

I LOVE dogs! More than people

But she sounds batshit!

You just know, that anyone who calls themselves the parent of a Dog gets one of these every year