in thinking that this is not in fact a compliment but rather a backhanded dig?

[joshandjamie]

We've just spent two weeks on holiday with friends who have children the same age as ours. Several times during the course of the holiday, our friends said to me with regard to my children's behaviour:

"You have the patience of a saint. I don't think I could deal with them without losing the plot."

That's not being complimentary right?

Smug alert- just back from holiday with 14 adults and 19 kids and NO conflict!

ooooh - threadkill

I would have HATED to be in the situation you describe, where you're meant to be having a nice holiday with friends and instead you're feeling undermined, judged and unsure of yourself.

I remember feeling horribly resentful towards a female friend who said DS1 was 'spoilt' because DH couldn't resist buying him toys when we were on holiday with them.

Then she had her own children and the second one is the biggest whinge bucket on the planet. Should I tell her she has the patience of a saint? (she does BTW!!)