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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU about "friends" gossiping about DD?

232 replies

Gossipygossip · 27/01/2025 12:21

I'm annoyed, but not sure if I should be, although I have certainly learnt a lesson here.

Went out for dinner with four school mums, that I have known since reception and our children are now in the last years of secondary school so for some time. We have always been open and honest about parenting, ND diagnoses, challenging behaviour, marriage up and downs. So my DD has started a relationship and although she is was 15 when it began, it was sexual. They are still together over a year later, and we are happy that's it's a supportive and loving relationship and of no concern. It was young to start having intimacy, but it was her choice and is doing everything the right way with protection etc.

Also we talked about our children going to parties etc, and drinking. Felt like an open sharing conversation over a curry and a drink or two.

Except I then find out one of my friend's husbands has been gossiping to another husband (of a mutual friend who didn't attend the dinner), about how my DD is engaging in underage sex, and what awful parents we are.

AIBU to feel like something said, if not in confidence, but at least in friendly trusting environment, is been used in this way? Would you say anything to your friend that passed this on?

OP posts:
Nyata · 28/01/2025 18:17

15 in a sexual relationship😳

Viviennemary · 28/01/2025 18:20

It isn't just young to start a sexual relationship it isn't legal. You failed in your duty as a parent when you condoned this behaviour. Not on. Now she thinks she did nothing wrong.

exaltedwombat · 28/01/2025 18:34

Even if you feel underage sex is merely a ‘technical’ offence, it still IS one. What on earth did you think you were doing shopping her like that?

MustWeDoThis · 28/01/2025 18:40

Gossipygossip · 27/01/2025 12:21

I'm annoyed, but not sure if I should be, although I have certainly learnt a lesson here.

Went out for dinner with four school mums, that I have known since reception and our children are now in the last years of secondary school so for some time. We have always been open and honest about parenting, ND diagnoses, challenging behaviour, marriage up and downs. So my DD has started a relationship and although she is was 15 when it began, it was sexual. They are still together over a year later, and we are happy that's it's a supportive and loving relationship and of no concern. It was young to start having intimacy, but it was her choice and is doing everything the right way with protection etc.

Also we talked about our children going to parties etc, and drinking. Felt like an open sharing conversation over a curry and a drink or two.

Except I then find out one of my friend's husbands has been gossiping to another husband (of a mutual friend who didn't attend the dinner), about how my DD is engaging in underage sex, and what awful parents we are.

AIBU to feel like something said, if not in confidence, but at least in friendly trusting environment, is been used in this way? Would you say anything to your friend that passed this on?

You shouldn't have discussed it.

Your daughter should not be having underage sex. STI's, teen pregnancy, malicious gossip, setting boundaries for herself etc...everything you should be preventing and supporting as a parent....

Bonusbaby10yeargap · 28/01/2025 18:49

I met my husband when I was 15 and had a sexual relationship very early on. 21 years later we have a lovely life together own our home and have 3 wonderful children. Our parents supported our relationship and I'm so glad they did as I would have stayed with him regardless of what they thought. I would be upset at the friends husbands gossiping it has nothing to do with them x

Khayker · 28/01/2025 19:56

Why would you share this info?? What anyone does or doesn't do shouldn't be a concern to your 'friends'.

Missj25 · 28/01/2025 20:54

Hey ! Guys !
Calling OP “cruel “ & a “gossiper “ isn’t being very nice !!!!
Seriously , she has asked for advice, not for everyone’s opinion on what she shared with her four friends …
And obviously she loves her daughter , there was no malice meant !!!!!

OP , yes , I’m sure you have learnt your lesson the hard way .... x

I would say to the 4 of them , that you are sorry to have discussed your daughter’s sex life with them, for the simple reason , it is your daughters private business and you feel bad now for saying it & you would very much appreciate if it were to be kept to themselves, as it is something you will never be discussing with them, or anyone else for that matter again …

Yourcatisnotsorry · 28/01/2025 21:23

Yabu for talking about your daughter’s sex life. You are the problem here sorry.

Bugbabe1970 · 28/01/2025 23:04

Give the OP a break… she over shared and regrets that but she has learnt her lesson…..why the hell are 2 grown men discussing her daughters sex life though- that’s just weird!

LavenderViolets · 29/01/2025 00:08

I’m in my 50s and all our age group had their first relationship at 15 pretty much. Only one at 13 which we were shocked at! Those that think their kids aren’t talking about it by 15 at the very least are in for a shock. Great OP has such a god relationship with her daughter. Shame on her friends.

joyouslady · 29/01/2025 00:22

@BigDeepBreaths spot on with that message. But I think you're getting an unnecessary slating on here. You obviously thought this would go no further than your close friends and you didn't give any salacious detail. The husbands are 100% at fault here and I think it's very strange that they would discuss this.

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 29/01/2025 01:00

Gossipygossip · 27/01/2025 12:29

Lesson learnt, it was shared in a oh my god, they are growing up so quickly...and I didn't share anything beyond the fact it was an "adult" relationship

Point taken, lesson learnt. But we have all had a habit of perhaps oversharing over the years.

Nope sorry. Your 15 year old daughter isn’t having an “adult” relationship as you call it.

I say this in non judgement of your daughter but of your classification of her relationship. I certainly wouldn’t be okay with it and I wouldn’t be normalising it by talking to my friends about it.

In the UK, the age of consent is 16 for sex whether straight (guy on girl) or gay (guy on guy or girl on girl). If either person is under 16, then the person over 16 is breaking the law. Sex between two people aged 13-15 is considered in law to be an offence even if they both agree to the activity (give permission).

https://sexualhealth.cht.nhs.uk
Law & Sex - Think Sexual Health

Sexual Health CHT

Law & Sex

https://sexualhealth.cht.nhs.uk/information-and-advice/law-sex#:~:text=In%20the%20UK%2C%20the%20age,the%20activity%20(give%20permission).

Santina · 29/01/2025 05:06

So let me get this right, you have sat gossiping about your daughter having a sexual relationship at the age of 15, and now your upset that the people you was gossiping with are telling others?

Think about your actions before you engage in them and don't have double standards.

You should be more concerned about your daughter engaging in a sexual relationship more than the gossip you've had started to be fair. Underage sex is illegal, parents should be protecting their children from this behavior, not encouraging it. You should be ashamed of your actions over your daughter's relationship AND then gossiping about it. Crikey, what is wrong with you.

Missj25 · 29/01/2025 09:01

I can’t believe the posts on this !!!!!
I’m sure OP is so sorry she ever came on this forum for advice ..

NEWSFlASH Santina !!!!!
There is loads of 15 year olds having sex ..
OP is not gossiping, you sound like a judgemental , Zero understanding kind of a person….
If you can’t give any helpful advice , maybe Don’t say anything at all …..

TheignT · 29/01/2025 09:13

Missj25 · 29/01/2025 09:01

I can’t believe the posts on this !!!!!
I’m sure OP is so sorry she ever came on this forum for advice ..

NEWSFlASH Santina !!!!!
There is loads of 15 year olds having sex ..
OP is not gossiping, you sound like a judgemental , Zero understanding kind of a person….
If you can’t give any helpful advice , maybe Don’t say anything at all …..

Come on now, she was gossiping. There was no need for her to disclose her daughter's sex life to other people.

I hope the main thing the OP is feeling is sorry that she did not respect her daughter's privacy. Fortunately her DD is OK about it and we all make mistakes but this was definitely a mistake.

unmemorableusername · 29/01/2025 09:20

Boak at those men.

They are probably wan*ing over this.

Missj25 · 29/01/2025 09:25

I just think ” gossiping “ is the wrong word to use to be fair ..
Gossiping is when being unkind , OP obviously wasn’t being unkind towards her daughter that she clearly has a good relationship with ..
She over shared ..
I feel she got a terrible slating on this which I really didn’t like to see when the poor woman just asked for advice …

Currygirl · 29/01/2025 10:08

Your head says "friends gossiping about DD", but that's exactly what you did.
In fact you started the ball rolling here with your loose tongue about her intimate relationship.

LSTMS30555 · 29/01/2025 10:56

Disgusting 2 grown men who i'll assume have known your dd all her life & they're discussing her sex life (someone needs to check their hard drives) call them out on it! Sick cunts!

meh2025 · 29/01/2025 11:07

Missj25 · 29/01/2025 09:25

I just think ” gossiping “ is the wrong word to use to be fair ..
Gossiping is when being unkind , OP obviously wasn’t being unkind towards her daughter that she clearly has a good relationship with ..
She over shared ..
I feel she got a terrible slating on this which I really didn’t like to see when the poor woman just asked for advice …

No, gossiping is just right. Gossiping just means idle chit chat about other people's personal affairs and not all gossip is unkind, or even necessarily most of it. Gossip includes things like "Ooh, the girl in accounts is pregnant and Dave got a promotion" as well as other more salacious stuff.

Gossip is very normal indeed, but certainly a child should expect her mother not to gossip about her personal private affairs to four women over drinks.

The OP gossiped and didn't even have the sense to tell them to keep it private, not that they would have anyway.

If you want to keep a secret, you don't tell anyone.

Although I agree that grown men discussing a 15 year old's sex life is creepy.

But then again, perhaps they are really just discussing their feelings about OPs parenting.

I'm glad the OP seems to have taken on board that she shouldn't have gossiped about her child, and hope it doesn't have any further repercussions for any of them.

Missj25 · 29/01/2025 11:44

meh2025 , You are right , I stand corrected, that is what gossiping is , idle talk about other people’s business , and as you said , saying so & so is pregnant or such & such got a promotion 🤷🏻‍♀️

mumsnet needs more people like you giving advice , you’re straight talking without being insulting & also you come across as being quite wise …🙌

meh2025 · 29/01/2025 11:56

Missj25 · 29/01/2025 11:44

meh2025 , You are right , I stand corrected, that is what gossiping is , idle talk about other people’s business , and as you said , saying so & so is pregnant or such & such got a promotion 🤷🏻‍♀️

mumsnet needs more people like you giving advice , you’re straight talking without being insulting & also you come across as being quite wise …🙌

That's kind, but I can be a bit of an arse at times too, if I am annoyed. That's a gracious response.

Missj25 · 29/01/2025 12:04

Ah sue , that is true for all of us 😂😂

Santina · 29/01/2025 12:58

Missj25 · 29/01/2025 09:01

I can’t believe the posts on this !!!!!
I’m sure OP is so sorry she ever came on this forum for advice ..

NEWSFlASH Santina !!!!!
There is loads of 15 year olds having sex ..
OP is not gossiping, you sound like a judgemental , Zero understanding kind of a person….
If you can’t give any helpful advice , maybe Don’t say anything at all …..

NEWSFLASH UPDATE

You do realise that having sex with an underage is illegal, the lad could actually find himself on the sex offenders register, whether it is consenting or not.

It's not like breaking the 30mph speed limit, this is a serious offence. I used to lecture, one of my students got involved in a consenting underage relationship until the girl had had enough, she then cried rape, he ended up on the register. It's all well and good, until it goes wrong. AND IT'S ILLEGAL.

Missj25 · 29/01/2025 14:27

I’m just calling you out on the way you feel the need to give out loads when you are trying to get across your point of view …

There is a way of saying things

Crikey , what’s wrong with you !!!!!!!