To think other parents can be hard to chat to

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including own family, SIL for example.

I find the problems seem to be around competition. For example chatting to SIL about how DC had been chasing the GCSE options. (we had found this quite stressful) Instead of empathising it was all about what was on offer and that we had such a range on offer compared to them

It's just an example but I find it hard as everything gets turned competitive. Why is it not possible just to chat without things getting like this. It seems to happen with others too.

I don't want to be competitive and don't think I come across like that.

I have kind of stopped discussing anything much with other RL parents as they all seem to be a bit like this. I don't really know why.

Choosing the options, I meant.

A friend of mine does this and it's extremely tiresome.

But it does tend to be more about herself than her daughter, although she does get ridiculously competitive about her daughter's progress in school, dance class - whatever the fuck else she's doing.

A mate of mine suggested that i tell her that my boy's already been selected to go to Kings College, Cambridge (he's 7!) - just to see the expression on her face. 😉

I would do it, but I'd never be able to keep a straight face, frankly.

Yes. I wouldn't mind if there were others but find it with most people. Sometimes it is helpful to just chat about how you are finding things and it not turn into a competition. I have even had other parents saying how they are glad they have girls as can go to cafes and shopping with them (I have boys). My boys love cafes and shopping! It seems to be like a kind of way of making themselves feel better? I'm not sure. Or, it can sometimes be the opposite. Everything is so much harder / more difficult...and I should not be 'smug' if things are generally OK. I've kind of started to just not talk about anything to do with the children now.