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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I’m sat on a train opposite the twattist mum ever!!!

296 replies

Pumkinfailure · 22/09/2018 15:54

Child is 3
Mum very loudly asking her to explain the elements that make up nitrous oxide. Child looks blank. ‘Come along darling, you know your elements. Ox.......ox....y......gen! Well done darling.’ 3 year old still hasn’t spoken.
Now darling let’s do some reading, shall we read lord of the rlord nhs, you do love that don’t you’
Would you like a coconut and peanut raw ball, we don’t want to eat too much because remember darling bed time is 6.30 after cuddles.
We are now doing maths, 44-13? Loudly.
I’ve been on this train 7 minutes. God help me!!!?

OP posts:
GoneForFood · 22/09/2018 19:03

Oh god I must have sounded similar when my two were little. I used to say a word and get them to tell me how many syllables were in it, then they had to find another word with the same amount of syllables.

I wasn’t trying to be twattish - just trying to stop them having a punch up on the hour bus journey home from school 😩😩😩

NicoAndTheNiners · 22/09/2018 19:05

Well my peanut and coconut balls are yummy!

hazeyjane · 22/09/2018 19:09

This sounds like a creative writing project (writing for comedic effect module).

YouTheCat · 22/09/2018 19:10

Goneforfood, did you let your kids get a word in though? I think that's a bit different from the woman on the train talking at her child.

MamaHechtick · 22/09/2018 19:10

I think you were probably sat opposite my sil. She does this at every family event. DN has absolutely no communication skills but can answer a ton of odd questions. Almost like the human version of a trained dog.

Deux · 22/09/2018 19:12

I was sat etc whilst not standard grammar is perfectly acceptable in story-telling anecdotes.

It’s often used where the speaker is communicating that the situation is one that they couldn’t get out of or one they are forced to endure because of the behaviour of others. Eg I was at there like a lemon waiting for you.

MrsMozart · 22/09/2018 19:14

Now I want coconut and peanut balls...

< wanders about looking hopeful >

SandAndSea · 22/09/2018 19:35

I'm quite peckish. I think I might want a coconut and peanut raw ball too.

LouHotel · 22/09/2018 19:43

This thread makes me feel so much better about counting steps with my two year old - i thought I might be pushing on the performance line but I now know i need to up my game.

I'll be in the hunt for periodic table 100 piece puzzle in the morning.

MajesticWhine · 22/09/2018 19:44

Can you offer the child some hula hoops or something. I'm sure she would prefer them to bird food.

tillytrotter1 · 22/09/2018 20:17

I assume you're joking, tillytrotter?! Because 'qwerty' isn't an actual word, it's an acronym (although I'm happy to be proven incorrect on my choice of the word acronym) for the QWERTY keyboard layout!

No, I'm not, yes it's an acronym but it's also in the OED and, more importantly, Suzi Dent allows it on Countdown!
If she asks again I can tell her that there are 72 q words on the OED, had to look it up!

tillytrotter1 · 22/09/2018 20:19

Actually, on seconds thoughts, it isn't an acronym, each letter doesn't stand for a word!

tillytrotter1 · 22/09/2018 20:20

I'll be in the hunt for periodic table 100 piece puzzle in the morning.

Make sure it has all the new elements as well, Moscovium, Tennessine etc., Pointless hasn't said the others yet!

Biologifemini · 22/09/2018 20:20

I used to read my child a kids book on the periodic table at that age. I was always banging on about oxygen and carbon dioxide in fizzy drinks. I didn’t do it on trains though.
If the woman is a chemist then she is just talking about what she knows

BathshebaAndGabriel · 22/09/2018 20:25

I’m still laughing at “shit on her”

Blackberry10 · 22/09/2018 20:30

I really don't get the vitriol on here towards a parent who is engaging with her child in such a positive way

How is it positive engagement to talk about subjects that will go way over a toddlers head?

Blackberry10 · 22/09/2018 20:34

If the woman is a chemist then she is just talking about what she knows

Yep because I come home from working at a disability charity and discuss the ins and outs of the benefits system with my five year old Hmm

foldingtable · 22/09/2018 20:37

I was on a train with my small DC and there was a performance parent with her equally small DC in the adjacent seat.

She was busy telling her child
“ we are going to Glasgow. what letter does Glasgow begin with? It’s a G. Glasgow is the capital of Scotland-what’s the capital city of Scotland? GLASGOW.

No one said anything...

FruitofAutumn · 22/09/2018 20:39

How is it positive engagement to talk about subjects that will go way over a toddlers head?
Everythin you say goes over a young baby's head.Should we not talk to them?

And a 3 yr old is not a toddler.They could understand about elements if explained at an age appropriate level and I think some would be quite interested.I think my eldest would have been .we used to do chemistry sets and electric circuit sets at that age.

pinkcarpet · 22/09/2018 20:53

@foldingtable if she was telling the wee kid Glasgow is the capital of Scotland then the entire train would’ve been thinking “what an eejit”. You should have just said E for Edinburgh to shut her up

puzzledlady · 22/09/2018 20:56

I know parents like this. It’s so daunting.

AHoleInTheWorld · 22/09/2018 21:01

@AutisticHedgehog

🤣

cookiesandchocolate · 22/09/2018 21:09

I just asked my 2.8 year old what chemicals made up nitro oxide.

He replied cereal.

Genius

MrsWhirly · 22/09/2018 21:12

Arrgh, I have this all the time with one woman and ‘India’ who is 4 and cute. But I really want to lock the Mum in the train toilet.

BagelGoesWalking · 22/09/2018 21:16

I wonder if she'll ask him to sing this soon 😬