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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Help, need a smart mouthed response!

65 replies

insomniac123 · 16/09/2017 09:22

Last week DH took DD aged 21months out with friends, one of them has son aged 5 who is a complete terror, shouting smashing things up, really aggressive, we are all understanding of this, the mother says just leave him I can't even go near himself he hits me - she has an older son similar but not as bad. They both listen and behave around the dad and grandparents- not her. We all politely avoid the confrontation with him and steer DD away to avoid any impact.
So whilst out with friends DH got a coke and DD insisted on first sip - as she does and off she goes, mother of devil child pops up and say very loudly to husband 'Great parenting there.'
DD is fed very well organic food, prepared by me, and we only drink coke when out and she has a tiny sip off she goes.
We are seeing them today and I know the same thing will likely happen, so I need a smart mouthed reply to her comment which IS going to come which isn't 'F -off!'!

OP posts:
ILoveMillhousesDad · 16/09/2017 09:24

Erm, dont go?

FairyAnn · 16/09/2017 09:26

Cut her off before she even finishes the sentence with "Sorry to interrupt, but isn't that your child over there punching that swan?" Or words to that effect

Albertschair · 16/09/2017 09:26

Why bother? If you have it at the time, sure but not a week later.

She obviously feels insecure to make comments. Why would you reveal your own insecurity by holding on to a throw away comment a week later? Let it go.

PurpleDaisies · 16/09/2017 09:26

Don't bother. You won't change the mind of anyone who makes comments like those.

missiondecision · 16/09/2017 09:26

Don't go. Doesn't sound like you enjoy their company.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 16/09/2017 09:27

"I don't criticise YOUR parenting, so I'll thank you not to criticise mine"

Albertschair · 16/09/2017 09:27

Ah misread the end of your op

Ignore me

But I still reckon ignore her

insomniac123 · 16/09/2017 09:27

I know she will say something this week- just wanted to not be stood like a lemon with mouth a gap like I normally am.

OP posts:
Ktown · 16/09/2017 09:28

Get some new friends.

insomniac123 · 16/09/2017 09:29

It's a very large group of friends not just the 2 families that meet.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 16/09/2017 09:29

Don't talk to her. Or if she says anything like that say "we all make our own decisions" and go and talk to someone else.

Trollspoopglitter · 16/09/2017 09:29

Well you'd know, wouldn't you?

DoJo · 16/09/2017 09:30

Well, if you are hoping to provoke a confrontation so that you can let her know that you think her kids are poorly behaved then just say 'We're all better at parenting other people's children than our own I guess - I know I am with yours!' and see if she bites.

If you just want to shut her down then you could go for 'What do you mean?' and see if she can follow through with an explanation that doesn't make her sound like an arse.

insomniac123 · 16/09/2017 09:30

Was thinking along the lines of 'So do you find not giving your kids coke improves their behaviour?' Or words to that effect.

OP posts:
LegoShmego · 16/09/2017 09:30

I'd go and then give dd a full can all to herself.
Actually, I wouldn't but I'd like to just for the response.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 16/09/2017 09:31

just walk off muttering "pot, kettle, black"

I wouldn't see them actually. Not with the kids there. Seeing friends is supposed to be enjoyable. Thinking in advance of a defensive retort you might need doesn't come into the category of "enjoyable" to me.

Ellisandra · 16/09/2017 09:31
  • ignore
  • laugh and say you'd read they have to get used to coke before you introduce JD to it
  • take her aside and tell her that you find her comment snide and would she care to explain why she's being so rude?

Take your pick.

BeeFarseer · 16/09/2017 09:32

If you have to go, then FairyAnn has the right idea. Something along the lines of 'Haha, you're joking, right? Oh look, isn't that your child doing . You'd better sort that out, that's A REAL problem.'

Ellisandra · 16/09/2017 09:33

Your proposed response is just bitchy back.
Ignore it, bar it off with humour or address it.
Don't make some snide childish bitchy remark back.

PurpleDaisies · 16/09/2017 09:33

Was thinking along the lines of 'So do you find not giving your kids coke improves their behaviour?' Or words to that effect.

It won't work. That sort of thing goes right over the head of self-righteous parents.

DontWannaBeObamasElf · 16/09/2017 09:33

"It's just a sip of Coke. It's not like she's breaking things or hitting people......."

Gorgosparta · 16/09/2017 09:34

I would laugh and say 'when you judge others parenting, you are inviting judgement in. I dont think you really want that'.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 16/09/2017 09:34

Dontwanna's suggestion is perfect. You're not actually accusing her of being a slack parent but it might give her pause for thought.

alltouchedout · 16/09/2017 09:34

"Thanks. I can give you some tips if you want to try and do something about your dc's appalling behaviour?"

Whinesalot · 16/09/2017 09:45

"It's just a sip of Coke. It's not like she's breaking things or hitting people......

Perfect

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