Mothercare expecting parents event with Dad...

[DanaVolcaana]

27 weeks pregnant and have booked a place at the mothercare expecting parents event for tomorrow. DP is away with work and not back until Wednesday so he can't come with me :( my dad wants to come and I'm more than happy for him to. I think it'll be nice to go together.

My friend has basically ripped me for this saying that it's weird and why the hell would I want my dad to listen to them talk about breastfeeding in front of me etc etc.

My dad is a GP, I don't find this stuff embarrassing, I've spoken about childbirth with him and it just isn't an issue for us.

AIBU to think it's not all that strange and my friend is being a little dramatic? Or is it weird to go with my dad to something like this (as opposed to on my own)?

Sadly, I think your friend will be supported by lots of people who talk about the need for women's spaces.

You're lucky to have him able to come with you.

I think it’s lovely your dad is going with you.

“Sadly, I think your friend will be supported by lots of people who talk about the need for women's spaces.”

Oh come on 🙄 That has absolutely nothing to do with it! We do need some women only spaces but an expectant parents event is not one of them!

Are you trying to derail the thread on purpose?!

I'm with the other pp's - really nice your Dad wants to go.
Maybe he's keen to learn what advice has changed since he had babies of his own (back to sleep, no solids till 6 months etc) - would save him from making those comments some grandparents make like 'don't know why you need car seats, you just sat on the passenger seat in your Moses basket' or 'she's clearly hungry. Your brother are a ham sandwich at 12 weeks' (and to be fair - he survived!).

It says much more about your friend and her relationship with her dad if she thinks it's weird!

I would sooner die than discuss this sort of thing with my dad around, but I'm jealous that you have such a great relationship with yours. Sounds great.

I'm not at all keen on the idea of a class at Mothercare, it will be relentlessly commercial. Who needs that?

Unless I've misunderstood these always used to be sales / shopping events. So totally fine to go on your own or with other people.

Would she say the same thing if it had been your mum going with you? I doubt it.

The most awkward part might be that one or two people may mistake you both as a couple rather than father and daughter but even if they do so what!

I would of loved my dad to come to something like that with me. He was the most amazing dad and died 8 years ago. Go and enjoy the precious time with your dad. And your friend is a knob bucket.

Yanbu. I have a friend like this who stresses out if anyone talks about childbirth or breastfeeding in front of her husband. She even texted me after her NCT course saying 'poor DH had to sit there while she told us about the cervix and tearing and bleeding...poor guy!' My response was 'No, poor you - you have to go through it!!!' Anyway, your friend sounds just as ridiculous, I see no harm in taking your dad.

Your friend is weird. And rude.

I think it’s nice but be prepared for people to assume he’s your partner!

I only went to those events for the 20% discount voucher they give you.

I'm only going for the discounts don't get me wrong! My dad has 4 kids (me being one of them!) - he's also coming in order to tell me what I do and don't need so I don't go nuts buying unnecessary junk (which I would probably do)

All I heard was "my dad is a GP". I don't need to hear any further reasons not to gently tell your 'friend' (who must know he's a GP?) to back off.

Also, it might be fun if the speaker says something biologically suspect and your dad is able to put them straight...

I hesitated for a second of two before I breastfed in front of my dad for the first time. He laughed and declared that he had ‘wiped my arse and cleaned up my sick more time that he could remember’. Put me at ease and I never worried again.

It’s great that you have such a good relationship with your dad! Enjoy your event and your shopping!

Your "friend" sounds very unpleasant and not someone I'd want to spend time with. You'll make new friends as a new mum, so there's easily space to ditch one that doesn't work any more. Your dad sounds nice, it'll be useful to have someone to go with.

Friend is weird! My dad would have come with me to these sorts of things if I'd asked/needed. I think it's lovely that men are more involved with child rearing these days :)

Your friend is being odd. A lot of these events are selling stuff as well so they will talk about prams and baby stuff so not necessarily all about childbirth. Your dad sounds great and he must be an absolutely lovely gp.

It's unusual to ask your dad as most woman wouldn't have such an open relationship with their dad. However yours is GP and sounds practical/down to earth

Maybe she has a different relationship with her dad? (Not close) I'd go with my dad

My dad is ace. A lot of fun, very down to earth, my best mate basically! He was the first person I moaned down the phone to when I discovered I had piles!! He didn't bat an eyelid. Just told me what to buy. I don't think our dads are stupid and he realises that a baby is going to come out of me some way or another! We are just a very open minded family and not much holds a stigma or embarrassment. I guess I forget sometimes that this isn't the case for I everyone. I'm very luxkyZ

*lucky