To not reply to this text

[retainertrainer]

My sister in law has just sent me a text. It's a photo of her DS's name scrawled across a piece of paper titled 'proud mummy moment'. He's just started school and obviously written it himself. I know it's lovely when they start learning and I'm hoping the novelty will wear off but I just can't bring myself to reply!

That's a bit mean of you! Can't you just say, "Clever boy!" and leave it at that?

Why not?

Why on earth not?! Would it kill you to say 'aww well done'
It's a huge thing when they learn to write and she clearly cares enough for you to share it.

Why wouldn't you reply?

Wow. Takes all if 10 seconds to say "That's brilliant, clever boy" Its your nephew. Care a little.

In fact, if I sent that to someone and got no reply, I would think they were a bit of a mean bitch tbh.

I really think that MNHQ should introduce a policy of having to approve threads before they go live

Then we could avoid absolute bollocks like this. Why oh why is this even a thread.

The time it took for you to post this thread you could have text back "well done dn".

Your nephew? He's learnt to write his name and you're not even a teeny bit impressed? Even just politely?

Wow.

Why wouldn't you, he's just stated school and writing his own name, it's a very good thing to achieve.

Ah no I do care,I love him to bits but I've had a lot of this over the years. You're right though,I'll reply now. I'm just in grumpy bitch mode.

How odd. She's proud of him - he's just written his own name! Why not just send a quick reply?! Are you always this grudging?

"hoping the novelty will wear off" - the novelty of having a child who is learning and developing? I hope the novelty never wears off for me

You big meanie.

It's so exciting when little ones learn stuff like this. Show some excitement and love for your nephew

Wow, what an attention grabby text!

NOT! Why on Earth wouldn't you be proud of your nephew? I thought it was sweet of SIL to think to send it to you. I hope you've replied already OP.

You've put way more time and effort into complaining about it on Mumsnet than you would have needed to simply reply and say well done.

Just text back well done - you don't actually have to feel like you're bursting with pride. I don't really give a shit about where colleagues went on holiday etc but I make the right noises - it's only polite.

You're all right. Sorry. I'm having a tough time at the moment. I am a good auntie. I haven't got the energy to type out the back story.

Ignore me now. I've send a nice message in reply.

What? Fucking hell I don't even have kids but friends of mine have sent me pics like that and I always find the time to reply with at least "awesome stuff!" - it takes a fraction of a minute to send something like that.

Try being nice.

I haven't got the energy to type out the back story

But you had the energy to start a thread on MN about it. But didn't have the energy to just say "Ohh well done"

Fucking hell.

I'm just in grumpy bitch mode

I think you're being generous to yourself there. What a horrible post.

Poor retainer I do like an OP that graciously accepts a swift MN kick up the backside.

Have some and feel better.

I've just re read my OP. You've all given me a good slap of reality, I need to push family issues to the side and try and just be a decent human being. It's hard sometimes!