Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not sure what to think of this comment at my son’s parents evening

196 replies

Blackdore · 05/12/2023 15:00

He's 5 and in reception. It was his first parents evening.
Teacher said mostly positive things and that he’s very fun and clever, picks things up quickly.

In a joking way she said “he’ll either take over the world or destroy it”
I laughed it off , but when I told a friend she was quite shocked and thought it wasn’t funny or appropriate.

OP posts:
Hobbi · 05/12/2023 15:30

This reply has been deleted

We decided to delete this post as it is not in the spirit of the site.

Aww, did the attention fairy not visit today?

ComtesseDeSpair · 05/12/2023 15:31

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

Probably. He’s 5. Most of them are pains in the arses.

LadeOde · 05/12/2023 15:34

This reply has been deleted

We decided to delete this post as it is not in the spirit of the site.

Reducing a teacher's worth to a set of grades is a very simplistic view. A teacher's worth is proven through their capability, dedication, passion, and tangible results in the classroom. Frankly, I'm more interested in the substance of their teaching and the positive influence they have on one's child than in making pompous assumptions based on limited information.

pigsDOfly · 05/12/2023 15:34

I was told one of my DCs at nursery would 'hold court' near the Wendy House and if they were every short of staff they might call on her as a stand in.

That was, no doubt, her way of saying that my little girl could sometimes be a bit bossy, but it was said in an affectionate amused way and was clearly meant as a joke.

She's grown up into a very hard working, very caring adult with a strong personality.

Does your friend always look for offence in the sort of throwaway jokes people make about young children.

Timetogosouth · 05/12/2023 15:35

It’s lighthearted - I’d be wary of the friend

pictoosh · 05/12/2023 15:35

It's just one of those things people say. She'll have said it to other parents too.
It's fine.

Getthethrowonthesofa · 05/12/2023 15:35

Is your friend always so extra?

Hastheslotharrivedyet · 05/12/2023 15:41

Your friend needs to lighten up and brush that chip off her shoulder

Hastheslotharrivedyet · 05/12/2023 15:41

LadeOde · 05/12/2023 15:34

Reducing a teacher's worth to a set of grades is a very simplistic view. A teacher's worth is proven through their capability, dedication, passion, and tangible results in the classroom. Frankly, I'm more interested in the substance of their teaching and the positive influence they have on one's child than in making pompous assumptions based on limited information.

Show quote history

🙄

Gillypie23 · 05/12/2023 15:42

Your friend has had a soh bypass!

caringcarer · 05/12/2023 15:42

ComtesseDeSpair · 05/12/2023 15:03

As you say - he’s 5 and in Reception. It’s a meaningless and humorous way of saying he’s a bit of a live wire and has a strong personality.

I'd be proud of that comment. My eldest son's teacher told me when he was 8 he had a 'non conforming personality'. I think she meant he didn't always do as he was told but as an adult he has a strong moral compass and wouldn't sit back if he saw a junior colleague being bullied by a manager.

WhateverMate · 05/12/2023 15:43

Don't let your humourless friend's 'shock' get to you.

Some people wouldn't know a joke if it kicked them in the arse.

Myfabby · 05/12/2023 15:45

This reply has been deleted

We decided to delete this post as it is not in the spirit of the site.

What an awful derogatory statement to make.

pictoosh · 05/12/2023 15:52

This reply has been deleted

We decided to delete this post as it is not in the spirit of the site.

And none of us are concerned with yours.

greencheetah · 05/12/2023 15:54

Getthethrowonthesofa · 05/12/2023 15:35

Is your friend always so extra?

Exactly! What’s her problem?

Tacotortoise · 05/12/2023 15:54

Blackdore · 05/12/2023 15:00

He's 5 and in reception. It was his first parents evening.
Teacher said mostly positive things and that he’s very fun and clever, picks things up quickly.

In a joking way she said “he’ll either take over the world or destroy it”
I laughed it off , but when I told a friend she was quite shocked and thought it wasn’t funny or appropriate.

You should be proud but, if you're not, take comfort from the fact he'll almost certainly lead a life of grey mediocrity like the rest of us.

BlowingAway · 05/12/2023 15:55

Same comment pretty much for one of my kids. It's fine, just means he likes his own way and is a strong personality.

StaunchMomma · 05/12/2023 16:05

You're being precious, OP.

She just means he's clever and head strong.

Cas112 · 05/12/2023 16:08

This reply has been deleted

We decided to delete this post as it is not in the spirit of the site.

It's a joke.. calm down

mollyfolk · 05/12/2023 16:11

It’s a compliment. I say it about my son - he’s a big character.

Noicant · 05/12/2023 16:11

I would have taken that as a massive compliment.

Mamadothehump · 05/12/2023 16:17

EarlofShrewsbury · 05/12/2023 15:06

My daughter's 10 now but the teacher said at her first parents evening that she'll either run the country or a gang in prison.

I think it's a common joke teachers make.

Haha!! I love this!!!

Mamadothehump · 05/12/2023 16:24

At 5, my DD's teacher said they wish she was more confident and willing to participate in class.

10 years on and she came home today laughing that in Maths, her teacher asked her in front of the other pupils how she would work out a certain equation. Her answer was 'with a calculator'.

It clearly wasn't the answer he was looking for but I was quietly proud that she had the confidence to answer in front of everyone and let's face it, the correct one most of us would use!!

Mosaic123 · 05/12/2023 16:27

They can't say all good stuff or it's sycophantic!

I think it's a backhanded compliment.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 05/12/2023 16:36

Heaven forfend that teachers should speak to parents in a lighthearted way about their children! I often have very pleasant conversations with parents at parents' evening. You can usually tell fairly easily which ones will appreciate a slightly humorous delivery though. I have parents' evening tonight with my Y10 class. Hopefully I won't offend anyone...