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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

............ to think that many mumsnetters would be much happier if...

66 replies

BertrandRussell · 30/03/2018 11:27

........people never interacted with each other at all? Or at least only with their partners and children?

OP posts:
IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 30/03/2018 11:28

Works for me Wink

SoupDragon · 30/03/2018 11:29

They aren’t allowed to interact with their children in public in case of accusations of “performance parenting”. It’s a fine line to tread so best not interact all with them.

upsideup · 30/03/2018 11:30

No, I would go absolutely insane if I could only ever interact with my partner and my children.

MrMagnoliasBoot · 30/03/2018 11:30

Been there done that, it was incredibly isolating. I like being able to talk to other people and socialise.

nancy75 · 30/03/2018 11:30

Yep, once you get married you get rid of all other family members & god forbid grandparents might want to see your child Shock

NewYearNewMe18 · 30/03/2018 11:30

I think there is quite a hard core that would be happy if they didn't have to interact with partners either

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 30/03/2018 11:32

When I say children, I obviously mean under 16s. On their 16th birthday they become adults, and must be treated like any other adult.

OP posts:
iklboo · 30/03/2018 11:35

'Ere, we're not, like, interacting now are we? I'll have none of that malarkey, thank you

NeverMetACakeIDidntLike · 30/03/2018 11:35

Never speak to your next door neighbours.

Never speak to any of the other school parents (as you might patronise them and then deserve a torrent of abuse).

Never buy presents for your in laws as that is not your job, and it doesn't matter if it breaks the family up. It's the principle of the matter.

Never ever ask for a favour from anyone, as that makes you a CF.

HoneyDragon · 30/03/2018 11:40

Hang on, if I don’t come here, who can I tell to fuck off after I’ve told everyone in RL to fuck off?Confused

nancy75 · 30/03/2018 11:43

Never, ever answer your front door

JacquesHammer · 30/03/2018 11:44

I can and do interact. I just prefer not to!

I won’t see another adult this weekend and that suits me just fine!

ItsuAddict · 30/03/2018 11:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Notalo · 30/03/2018 11:48

Agreed, and if you initiate you're deemed to be 'needy' or 'clingy'. People seem to have very low tolerance levels for the behaviour of family and friends and how much contact they want to have with them.

I think this is symptomatic of the individualistic culture of our society and also the rat race mentality where anything beyond the nuclear family takes up too much energy/time to really care.

IAmWonkoTheSane · 30/03/2018 11:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ghostyslovesheets · 30/03/2018 11:53

we have to interact with our children?

turnipfarmers · 30/03/2018 12:04

Yep, once you get married you get rid of all other family members & god forbid grandparents might want to see your child shock

I'm reading a novel at the moment where that is how the woman is forced to live, it's a horrific way to live your life by all accounts. Despite being a novel it is very plausible and I wonder if the author has written about her own life.

PoorYorick · 30/03/2018 12:05

Well clearly, because everyone is An Introvert, which on MN means 'hostile, misanthropic, anti-social and with a horrific superiority complex".

WorraLiberty · 30/03/2018 12:05

Never answer your door unless the person knocking has a pre-booked appointment and they're neither late nor early.

Never answer your phone unless the person ringing has texted way in advance, to pre-book an appointment and again, are neither late nor early.

Do not under any circumstances make friendly chat with a Mumsnetter, if you happen to be a supermarket cashier.

No smiling at babies on the bus.

No contacting anyone whose given birth within the last 12 months unless again, you have a pre-booked appointment.

It's the Mumsnet way >

PoorYorick · 30/03/2018 12:12

I would say the rule of thumb is never to do anything that might be construed as 'attention seeking' (because that's a high crime on MN).

The problem is, 'attention seeking' includes exercising in exercise classes (you're not supposed to do it too much), showering in communal, single sex changing rooms, taking your clothes off in said communal, single sex changing rooms, and a whole manner of other completely normal, everyday activities.

So we're fucked and you might as well do whatever you like.

TheFairyCaravan · 30/03/2018 12:12

I’m not sure you’re meant to wait until your not kids are 16 to stop interacting with them. Isn’t it when they’re about 13 that they should be doing their own washing, cooking, cleaning etc?

PoorYorick · 30/03/2018 12:14

Isn’t it when they’re about 13 that they should be doing their own washing, cooking, cleaning etc?

You waited until they were 13? You slattern. I trained mine while they were still in utero. They made me a spag bol two hours after they were born.

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 30/03/2018 12:15

The interaction must be prescriptive and adhere to strangled etiquette
Your dp must not interact with any female unless she 60+ and curmudgeonly.
men & women can’t be friends according to mn.every woman has mooooves on your man(apparently)
The postman or amazon must never,ever ring your bell lest they put you in state of alarm
Every cafe regardless of size must accommodate your Land Rover sized pram

SpringNowPlease2018 · 30/03/2018 12:16

What ItsuAddict said.

pigeondujour · 30/03/2018 12:17

Turnips are you talking about that Behind Closed Doors?