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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be considering stopping toddler swimming because the teacher doesn't speak 'properly'?

106 replies

TreeTrunkThighs · 27/01/2009 12:19

She doesn't say the 'h' at the beginning of words that begin with 'h'.

Today we sang:

Umpty Dumpty
Ickory dickory dock
Eads, shoulders, knees and toes

The little girl next to us was called Hannah. She was called Annah all lesson.

Or should I just grit my teeth and stop being such an Orrible Snob?

OP posts:
georgimama · 27/01/2009 15:42

It's fine to go to these things. But I don't think a toddler is missing anything important if they don't go, that's the point.

FriarKewcumber · 27/01/2009 15:42

the organiser on the other hand struck me as barking mad.

Tiramissu · 27/01/2009 15:43

Frian
if you have limited mobility is not easy to participate in these classes. I think. I might be wrong

Gateau · 27/01/2009 15:43

The mothers I know who go to these classes bore me to tears.

nappyaddict · 27/01/2009 15:44

I would find it hard to replicate most of the things DS does at Tumble Tots at home. They climb ladders higher than me, they swing off poles and then jump to the ground on a crash mat, they walk over balance beams (some straight and some set at an incline) and stepping stones. Atm DS' favourite thing is where they sit over two poles and have to push themselves backwards.

OK I suppose I could build some sort of obstacle course in my garden but that would probably cost a lot of money and it would be a lot of effort.

FriarKewcumber · 27/01/2009 15:45

my mum does no problem she sits in a chair for some of it, helps with DS for some and there are always extra helpers around for situations like this. They are really lovely with her. She goes because she likes it (mind you so does he - absolutely loves it)

FriarKewcumber · 27/01/2009 15:45

no doubt Gateau you would indeed find my um extremely dull. I must confess though that I rather like her!

nappyaddict · 27/01/2009 15:48

Oh and I don't think anyone would take their child to any of these organised activities if they didn't enjoy it or have fun.

I must admit a lot of the time I don't like other parents coming along with us if we go to the play centre by ourself or if we go swimming by ourself cos I like me and DS to do our own thing. A lot of the time if we go with someone else we end up going off on our own for a bit I don't really go to tumble tots or swimming classes to meet other people. I go to have one to one time with DS doing something we both enjoy.

nappyaddict · 27/01/2009 15:48

Oh and I don't think anyone would take their child to any of these organised activities if they didn't enjoy it or have fun.

I must admit a lot of the time I don't like other parents coming along with us if we go to the play centre by ourself or if we go swimming by ourself cos I like me and DS to do our own thing. A lot of the time if we go with someone else we end up going off on our own for a bit I don't really go to tumble tots or swimming classes to meet other people. I go to have one to one time with DS doing something we both enjoy.

Tiramissu · 27/01/2009 15:53

Nappy
thats great if you both enjoy it. I didnt mean to sound patronising to you, honestly.

But trust me i ve met mums who drag the babies to music classes, forcing them to clap hands etc so that they can say 'oh we do music class every week'.
But maybe because i lived in North London

FriarKewcumber · 27/01/2009 15:54

Georgimama - It's fine to go to these things. But I don't think a toddler is missing anything important if they don't go, that's the point.

I do agree, wouldn't have considered it a conversation worth having (genuinely don;t care whether anyone takes their child to classes or not) had not people started being so snide about them.

In my limited exposure to classes have not found them worthy of any particular comment either way.

georgimama · 27/01/2009 16:02

Nappyaddict, Tumble Tots sounds like soft play. Which my DS loves.

Now there's something people sneer at. They do on MN anyway.

gingerninja · 28/01/2009 13:41

I can't believe why anyone cares so much what other people do with their kids / how much it costs or if it's necessary for their development. Perhaps people go to classes for themselves perhaps some people like their kids to socialise with others, it really doesn't matter why people do these things if they and their children enjoy it.

And are people really boastful about classes? People seem so sensitive to other people talking proudly or positively about their kids. When people tell me they take their kids to music classes or tumble tots or whatever, my reaction is one of interest and enthusiasm, a negative reaction smacks of envy to me. And, I love this inverted snobery about people who go to these classes not being 'my kind of people' How the heck would you know? I go to a play group once a week and a lot of people are probably very different to me but I haven't spoken to everyone so how could I possibly say they're not my kind of people.

Tiramissu · 28/01/2009 14:02

..'a negative reaction smacks of envy to me'.

Envy??

gingerninja · 28/01/2009 14:14

Why else slag off other peoples choices if not envious? Looks like that to me

gingerninja · 28/01/2009 14:15

Perhaps it's because these people spend money on classes.

Tiramissu · 28/01/2009 14:16

or perhaps because we prefer to spend our money somewhere else...

Gateau · 28/01/2009 14:18

"And, I love this inverted snobery about people who go to these classes not being 'my kind of people"
Inverted snobbery? And I love your sweeping, incorrect assumptions, ginger.

Gateau · 28/01/2009 14:20

LOL at the ENVY bit too
Does it sound like we're envious????!

Rindercella · 28/01/2009 14:24

I don't know about envy or inverted snobbery Gateau, but you do soound very angry about what other parents choose to do with their children. Can't understand why you would be so riled by it.

FriarKewcumber · 28/01/2009 14:28

tbh you don't sound envious to me.

You just sound snide, mocking any idiots who choose to do something you don't enjoy. Even to the point of saying they don't enjoy spending time with their children.

Its just seems to be a bit of an over-reaction.

If someone I knew was anxious about not taking their DC's to expensive classes then yes, I would say "doesn't make a jot of difference on the whole, plenty you can to chepaer or free".

What does it matter how expensive they are if you can afford them - magazines are a complete waste of time and money but I would quite happily spend £5 a week on them when I had the money.

I don't see why you have such a superior attitude about it.

I really don't know why I'm arguing the toss as I don't do any classes with DS.

gingerninja · 28/01/2009 14:30

That's the point though, no one cares what you spend your money on so why care what others do or whether it's worthwhile or not?

And actually scan down the thread someone did say that people at a group they went to weren't their kind of people which is, with all these references to Boden, an inverted snobbery. You seem very sensitive about people having different (non judgemental) opinions.

DaphneMoon · 28/01/2009 14:31

I taught my DS to swim, much cheaper and much more fun for him and me. He has no certificates but what does that matter, he would prob lose them by the time he is 20 anyway. He now goes swimming with the school and loves it.

Gateau · 28/01/2009 14:35

We ALL judge what other people do; big deal! This whole thread is about JUDGIN; in fact we are asked to make a judgement on the very first question the OP poses to us. So if you don't like it, why are you here?
Did you not notice the disclaimer at the top of the page? It reads: "This topic, as you might guess from its title, encourages posters to take sides. This means that posters tend to express their opinions. If you don't want to read posts from people who might strongly disagree with you, you might prefer to post in a different topic area on our site."

BTW, for anyone interested, see the other thread in AIBU on classes.

Tiramissu · 28/01/2009 14:39

Look,
we didnt say that we 'care' or we loose sleep over it.

We just find it funny that some people take these classes too seriously and they think they have discovered something amazing and extra-ordinary that quarantees their baby's future success.

If you see these classes for what they are-just a get together for 1 hour if is too rainy to go to the park- then thats fine. But if you see them as entry req to Oxford university, then it is quite funny