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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Little girl in beautiful dress scolded for jumping up and down.

271 replies

0None0 · 17/07/2021 14:40

They were at the bus stop. She was about 5 It was a beautiful white dress with embroidery, and matching shoes She had a carton of juice, and was told off for a little skip of pleasure at the sight of their bus coming, in case the juice splashed on her dress or her shoes. Brother that looked the same age, maybe twins, or just very small age gap, in dark clothes and trainers, also drinking a carton of juice with a straw, leaping up and down like a show jumper, without attracting comment.

WIBU to say something?

OP posts:
BIWI · 17/07/2021 14:41

Mind your own business!

HollysBush · 17/07/2021 14:42

That’s sad but I wouldn’t say anything. Maybe she was on her way to a photo shoot?

Howcanthisbe123 · 17/07/2021 14:42

Just the way it goes, some siblings get told off for what others get away with.

nimbuscloud · 17/07/2021 14:42

Maybe she’s messier
Maybe she begged to wear a white dress

Original poster
0None0 · 17/07/2021 14:43

@BIWI

Mind your own business!
Why is this not everyone’s business?
OP posts:
BritWifeInUSA · 17/07/2021 14:43

You are not being unreasonable to be bothered by this. But you are absolutely being unreasonable to tell a random stranger how they should parent their children.

Thehogfatherstolemycurry · 17/07/2021 14:43

Yes you would. You have a couple of second snapshot and Decided its sexism. You don't have the whole picture though and it's really none of your business!

YoComoManzanas · 17/07/2021 14:43

That is very sad of the scolded. Poor kid.
Don't think you can say anything though.

NursePotato · 17/07/2021 14:44

Did you buy the dress OP? Is it your kid? If the answer is no, then it's not your damn business.

titchy · 17/07/2021 14:44

Maybe she was a bridesmaid?

OwlinaTree · 17/07/2021 14:45

I know what you mean. Without knowing why she's wearing the posh frock it's hard to judge. Could be off to a party or something.

SilverOak · 17/07/2021 14:45

My son frequently gets dirty but if he was wearing nice clothes and we were on our way to a wedding or something then I would stop him ruining his outfit. It doesn’t mean the child is treated like that all the time. YABU because you have no idea where they were going or why she was dressed up.

HaylingIreland · 17/07/2021 14:46

You have absolutely no idea what was going on here! Little girl could have been off to have photos taken, had a massive strop about wanting to wear the dress or it could have been a precious present from grandad!
Mind your own bloody business!

Pogacar · 17/07/2021 14:46

How judgemental of you

00100001 · 17/07/2021 14:46

What did you say?

titchy · 17/07/2021 14:46

Sorry - yea ywbu. It's a very very minor example of possibly poor parenting, certainly nowhere near the level that warrants a stranger commenting. If she's smacked her round the head that'd be understandable but telling her off - nah. You were petty and self righteous.

Hankunamatata · 17/07/2021 14:48

I would have told my dc to not jump while drinking 🤷‍♀️

topcat2014 · 17/07/2021 14:48

Some people are just miserable fun sucking dreary parents, sadly.

topcat2014 · 17/07/2021 14:48

Dirty clothes always meant my daughter had a fun time.
Plus, that's what washing machines are for.

MissMooMoo · 17/07/2021 14:50

No I would just ignore and mind my own business.
I once saw a little boy scolded for playing because he would scuff his new trainers. I felt sad for him but it wasn't my place to tell his parents how to parent him.

DysmalRadius · 17/07/2021 14:50

Without any context or idea of the situation then YABU - what would you say?!

Original poster
0None0 · 17/07/2021 14:50

@00100001

What did you say?
I didn’t say anything. But I’m wondering if I should have. We end up trying to u do the damage with these girls sitting in front of us in the classroom, eventually, but by secondary school it can be very deeply ingrained
OP posts:
ThatsNicePet · 17/07/2021 14:50

Not quite the same but I always find it strange when primary-aged girls are dressed in December in school skirts, ankle socks and open/t-bar style shoes, walking to school in the freezing cold, while their brothers are in trousers and regular school shoes. They can walk in puddles and have covered legs while the girls must be freezing! I wouldn’t want to walk about in December with bare legs. It seems like some people don’t even consider warmth or practicality when dressing girls

PumpkinKlNG · 17/07/2021 14:50

Don’t be ridiculous

Direstraitsmates · 17/07/2021 14:51

That's not sexism. That is someone not wanting white fancy clothes wrecked and not caring if dark clothes get wet. I wouldn't want either of my toddlers drinking juice out of a carton when they were wearing white clothes and I would ask them to be careful and not jump up and down until they had finished drinking the carton. I can't get the stains out of white clothes. It wouldn't matter what sex they were. Generally I don't put them in white clothes but maybe the child really wanted to wear the dress. You would have looked like an overbearing fool had you challenged them.