To be annoyed by mothers who make a big show of crying at the nursery but...

[Gateau]

Yes, they can't wait to tell anyone who will listen how they couldn't stop crying for the first few weeks of dropping off LO at nursery. And then, hey, before you know it, they're skipping off on a weekend away with DH - and LO is left high and dry at home with the grandparents. And there is not a word about it.

me too MI

'that will teach you' was not meant to be threatening btw!

Errrrm, jealous?
Of What?

And so what if it is one mum in particular. What's wrong with being sad at leaving your child alone in a room full of teachers you don't really know and kids you don't know and going away for a well earned break leaving your kids with your mum and dad?

gateau, you started a debate. You got a debate.

What's the problem?

I would like to take this opportunity to announce that Mr Inferior is taking the kids away for a whole week in a fortnight's time.

Yep, a whole week.

Read it and weep, eh?

I am going to go to work, like a proper grownup person who doesn't have to hurry home for bedtime, and stay out with friends (some of them male) and refuse to let a single item of green veg pass my lips for a week.

There ain't a problem, happy. I'm loving it! A great diversion from the drudgery of work.

You are not unreasonable to be irritated if a mum is permanently going on about how upset she was in taking her child to a nursery. I'm not sure how you figure out this was faked, and unless everyone else is weeping buckets all the time I'm not sure I buy the social pressure thing (crying the first few times maybe). But who knows what social dynamics go on at your nursery, as you haven't given any background to your gripe. When my two went to nursery I didn't socialise much with the other parents, just said "hello, how are you" type stuff when we passed by at dropping off/picking up time - I certainly didn't notice any crying going on.

You are completely unreasonable to be irritated that any parent is happy to leave their children with their own parents. What a strange phrase to use "high and dry". Like many other parents I actively encourage my parents to spend time with their grandchildren, and think it's especially good for me not to be there so they form a bond. Many grandparents care for their grandchildren on a regular basis - do you think that is wrong too?

I was emotional when I left my DD at nursery and at school for the first time. Not overly but I was emotional, that's what I'm like. However if I got the opportunity to leave my 3 kids behind and get away for a couple of days, HA! I'd be absolutely overjoyed and skip off down the street clicking my heels in midair shouting "WHOOP WHOOP"!

Isn't that normal?

PLease don;t call me mad, malory.
I don;t think there is anything "mad" about not wanting to leave your DC for the weekend, or even overnight. A night, yes, fine.
If you or anyone else wants to, fine.

You're mad, Malory

PMSl, I don't know what word I'd use for not wanting to have some time off without children -it isn't in my vocabulary!!!!!!!

Er, is nobody jealous of my Week Toot Seule, free of any domestic constraints whatsoever?

I am jealous MI! Sounds like heaven. No kids and no DH either. Bliss.

But I would still eat my greens, I'll have you know.

YABVU. Totally different leaving a child at home with grandparents (part of their intimate inner family circle) and in an institution with people they don't yet know.

I'm betting, MI, that no green veg may pass your lips but plenty of crushed green grapes might!

MI - I'm breastfeedign a 10 month old who has taken to giving the odd cheeky bite, potty training my demanding, high-spirited (polite word) 2 yr old who has just done a poo in the sand pit after 4 days of potty training and 'managing' DD1 who has SN's. Jealous of your time off, Darling, noit at all, I'm delioursly happy for you !

Christ why is everyone being so nasty to eachother today ?

Oh TC, at least the sand might be a bit, you know, more manageable than carpet?

Those of you who say that you skipped down the path after delivering your DC to nursery... how would you feel if you mentioned that to one of the other mums, and she looked at you like you had a bat's wing sticking out of your mouth, before replying: "Errrm... really ... ? Well I cried buckets. For days." Then they walked off.

(As I mentioned before, this has happened apparently to people I know.)

I reckon that might just give you the teensiest suspicion that this woman is trying to make you feel like a shit mum who is desperate to get rid of their kids.

This feeling of irritation is further prodded when you happen to know that the mum in question frequently leaves her children with relatives and goes away for the weekend.

One night out now and again is enough for DH and I. We don't want our DC to be away from us overnight.
Completely unnecessary??? Who said that?