to find this mother very irritating

[emkana]

She gave ds, who is not talking, a present and a birthday card which showed a mouse and a dinosaur. Inside she had written "fun questions, also for ds's sisters: What does the mouse say to the dinosaur? And what does the dinosaur say to the mouse?"

So I read this to the dd's, ds obv not capable to respond to it. The dd's looked at me blankly, not knowing what to make of it. Pipes up this mum: "what no answers? My dd had hundreds of funny ideas"

so why raise to the bait?? The best way to take the wind of of someones sials like that is to be totally dismisive - and that it is not an issue - who cares - why does it matter her kids vs yours?

flashman, I didn't actually post about my reaction at the time. So how do you know that I raised to the bait?

no the woman wasnt expecting anyone to rise tothe bait, ther was no bait, she was just bragging about her own precious children and puttingt down emkana's children at the same time

(here)

I really don't get it - how can it be possible to bother you - I would have found the whole thing assuming myself.

And it clearly has bothered you.

So what did you say if you did not get baited?

Oh heavens, this is the kind of bizare and embarassing king of thing my mother would do. Your DD's will now be labelled by her as "not very creative" [aaaaah!]

You needed to come back with some quip about your DD's being very scientifically minded, or something.

I am feeling your irritation.

Why come back like that - then you sound like you are try to compete. Much better to just say thats nice - where does that leave her to go from there? It is the end of the conversation on that subject.

Oh, and my mother doesn't do things like this to be competative, or nasty, atall, it's just what she does. (Still iritates me to hell though)

your dds are obviously aware that mice and dinosaurs can't actually say anything, never mind anything humorous

be proud!

she is a looooon

I know someone just like this.
Pretty annoying, though do get some amusement from the fact that her view of her childrens abilities is not based in reality...

Flashman, you are right. "That's nice" would have put a nice end to the conversation.

knob head

What made you think that was addressed to you Flash?

In fact dinosaurs are even extinct as we all know as well as being unable to talk afaik! Perhaps her dds can translate little mice squeakings?

I didn't say anything.

Just made a mental note to write about it on MN later.

weirdo competitive mum. if she is aware of your concerns about DS's speech then it's at best crassly insensitive, and at worst, well words fail me.

Ego.

She has also in the past given me "ideas and tips" how to bring on ds's speech.

Which she is in no way qualified to do.

As I;m sure you knwo Flash, emotions are very different things from opinions. You usually cannot help the former, but construct the latter. The AIBU board is primerly a sounding board for emotions. Emkana didn't rise to teh bait, she felt something. Pass the Soma!

Oh Flash, you are awful!

does she also 1)suggest making sure you talk to DS? 2)mention Einstein 3)refer to 3rd cousin 8th time removed who didn't speak till 5, but who is now a brain surgeon and who started speaking in full sentences 4)say "they all get there in the end"?

No 2! I'd say no2! (not poo) Just No 2 above!

Mt - that is not true - I would looking at the op on this thread argue that she did rise to the bait - regardless if anything was said at the time or not - which we ahve not established btw.

As I said further down I didn't say anything to her.

the Einstein one gets up my nose because I would be thrilled if DS grew up to have a successful scientific career, but at this point in time I'm worried that his language delay may have a permanent impact and may screw up his chance of having any job at all.