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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To worry we're raising an annoying child

211 replies

MolliciousIntent · 12/05/2022 19:00

I'm sleep deprived, hormonal and a little insane and somehow I think the birth of DD2 has made me even more PFB about DD1.

She's 2.5, pretty bright and very chatty. She's a tiny parrot and repeats every phrase she hears me and her dad say. It's left her with an (adorable to me) repertoire of very grown-up soundbites which she uses in context. Half the time she talks normal toddler nonsense and the other half she speaks like a 35yr old English teacher.

People have started commenting on it, and I'm concerned it's making her look overly precocious. I used to get bullied at school for stuff like this (looking back I was definitely insufferable) and I'm concerned about history repeating itself with my baby.

How do I handle this? My husband thinks it's a non-issue and I need a G&T and a good night's sleep.

OP posts:
Original poster
MolliciousIntent · 12/05/2022 19:37

viques · 12/05/2022 19:34

It’s fine, but what would really turn people against your poor dd would be her adoring parents posting every cute thing she says and does on social media, now that would really wind people up. Enjoy her funny little remarks and quirks, share them with her proud daddy and her gps, but protect the rest of your social circle from them.

Oh absolutely, I'm not on SM and nor is her dad.

OP posts:
dontknowhow2help · 12/05/2022 19:37

At least she's not copying you swearing Blush

carefullycourageous · 12/05/2022 19:37

It sounds like you could be projecting your childhood bullying issues onto your daughter.

Your daughter is two. She sounds cute. If she is insufferable at age 6/8/10 - deal with it. FWIW I think most of them are part cute, part annoying - the challenge is steering them in the right direction.

hellcatspanglelalala · 12/05/2022 19:38

She sounds hilarious, I think you're overthinking. Enjoy your G&T!

purplecorkheart · 12/05/2022 19:39

She sounds adorable. I love how she is trying to make all her classmate feel happy and proud. Well done to her spotting that the can was dented. I think that woman's comment was bitxhy.

Original poster
MolliciousIntent · 12/05/2022 19:39

The other day my (very WC) DH peeled her a banana, and she said "you're a good man Daddy", which is what I say to him when he brings me coffee. Or gin. So he's probably not a closet Tory, let alone JRM.

OP posts:
Original poster
MolliciousIntent · 12/05/2022 19:41

MolliciousIntent · 12/05/2022 19:39

The other day my (very WC) DH peeled her a banana, and she said "you're a good man Daddy", which is what I say to him when he brings me coffee. Or gin. So he's probably not a closet Tory, let alone JRM.

That was for @Bluetrews25

OP posts:
Georgeskitchen · 12/05/2022 19:42

How can a 2 year old be pretentious? 😂😂she sounds absolutely adorable!! My DGD I around the same age and chatters away non stop
Just enjoy your fabulous little girl 😍

crappens · 12/05/2022 19:43

Typical phrases from DD2 at the moment:

Well done mama, that was really gooood
Good boy Daddy
Sit on the floor mama!
No mama, you can't do that.
Be careful, man! (To random stranger)
Slow down! (To another random stranger)
That wasn't kind of you, nanna. (Having her nappy changed when she wanted to go and play)
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!! (to anyone listening)
ITS RAAAINNNING (repeatedly, loudly, and it wasn't)

I find it cute/amusing and tell myself that everyone else does too.

crappens · 12/05/2022 19:44

Hope the gin helps. Toddlers are exhausting.

MrsDrudge · 12/05/2022 19:45

She sounds an absolutely lovely, funny cute and adorable little toddler who is doing the normal thing of copying what you say. Enjoy her funny sayings and her growing up, it goes all too quickly! And enjoy your G&T and early night too.

EarringsandLipstick · 12/05/2022 19:46

OP, I've loved reading about your DD. She sounds gorgeous & you & DH like lovely parents ❤️

Springblossom2022 · 12/05/2022 19:46

I really wouldn't worry about what other people think. As long as she is happy and thriving there's no need for concern. I was also that child that spoke as though I was a grown up when I was young. Most grown ups found it brilliant and amusing, nobody ever really reacted badly. Any comments made are likely to be just people who find it cute and amusing so try not to take them to heart (as hard as that is!).

I realised later on (at 23) that I'm autistic (though not formal diagnosis yet) and that likely had a lot to do with why I spoke like that throughout my childhood as a lot of autistic children speak as though they are much older. It was very prominent with me from around age 7 and I could hold full adult conversations about the most mundane things like putting the washing out 😂 It sounds like your daughter is likely just copying what you say which is really common, but just wanted to share my experience in case it's of any use to anyone!

MerryMarigold · 12/05/2022 19:47

The annoying children I know are what my DD describes as 'needy'. This means they constantly want adult/ older child attention and interraction as opposed to just playing. They seem to be the ones who get A LOT of adult attention generally and become a bit dependent on it.

TheFabledSnake · 12/05/2022 19:49

I think it's lovely. It's how they learn to have conversations. I work in a nursery and lots of children praise each other and it's really good and shows empathy etc. They still talk their pre school nonsense conversations mixed with other sayings. It's fine!

BunsyGirl · 12/05/2022 19:49

My DS1 is extremely bright (he’s now in year 7 at a super selective grammar school). We were recently watching videos of him at 2/3 years old and howling with laughter. He too was like a little adult. I am pleased to report that now as he approaches 12 he is becoming more Kevin like by the day and we are lucky to get some huffing and puffing out of him, never mind a few words! I would enjoy the conversations whilst they last!!!

JollyWilloughby · 12/05/2022 19:50

Sounds normal as they’re all annoying.

BunsyGirl · 12/05/2022 19:50

Oh and the reason that I mentioned that he was bright is because the talking was the first sign we had of that although we didn’t realise it at the time!

Original poster
MolliciousIntent · 12/05/2022 19:51

MerryMarigold · 12/05/2022 19:47

The annoying children I know are what my DD describes as 'needy'. This means they constantly want adult/ older child attention and interraction as opposed to just playing. They seem to be the ones who get A LOT of adult attention generally and become a bit dependent on it.

Hmmmm she's definitely been a bit like this since her baby sister arrived but I think that's pretty normal for a toddler, and it is getting better. Hopefully it won't still be an issue in another 3 months time.

OP posts:
Chattycathydoll · 12/05/2022 19:54

Aww, that’s lovely. My DD (6) did that and still does sometimes. It honestly made me really happy. I didn’t get a lot of positivity when I was wee so it felt nice to know I was raising her to know compliments and encouragement enough that she copies them! And also weirdly touching to have someone saying well done to me for little things :’)

I still remember drawing animal shapes for her to colour in and she said ‘good work Mummy, I can see you worked really hard on that’.
Yes! I did! And it’s wonderful to have that noticed!

BingeBitch · 12/05/2022 19:56

We have a little one just like her where I work (nursery). We absolutely adore her and think she’s hilarious. The things she comes out with are a scream and we all think she should be running the country because she speaks more sense than Bojo, shes 2! Your girl sounds amazing don’t worry a jot.

Aria2015 · 12/05/2022 19:56

My son was (is!) like this. I think up until they're 4/5 most people find it very cute so don't worry! I am aware now he's a bit older though that it can appear more precocious than cute so we're helping him to develop his social skills so that he can judge for himself when a good time to chat to someone is and when it might be better to keep things a bit less chatty.

WTF475878237NC · 12/05/2022 19:59

Honestly she sounds an absolute delight! You're raising a sweetheart.

godmum56 · 12/05/2022 20:01

of course you are raising an annoying child....all children have the capacity to be annoying 😈

womaninatightspot · 12/05/2022 20:01

It sounds sweet. I have twins who were similar. They haven't changed but at seven they are doing really well at school and the teacher really likes them. Popular with the other kids too. I joke that they keep me right.