Yes, I am. I know I'm being a cow and lowering myself

[ItsGrimUpNorth]

to her level but I was delighted to hear that an ex friend of mine is due to have her first baby in two months.

I'm pleased because then the "So, what do you do all day?" question can be put to her, like she put it to me with a curl of her lip.

And I can lift my top and exclaim how thin I suddenly am the way she did to me after a harrowing labour and section experience. I was amazed at the time.

And I'm glad so that perhaps she'll understand that her general disdain for parenthood was pathetic and bitchy.

But perhaps I should be more forgiving of people who aren't parents and who make stupid comments. I still look forward to her realising what graft she's in for.

YANBU so long as you don't actually say any of this to other non-parents!

Just like mums of 4 shouldn't say 'what are you moaning about being tired for? You've only got one!'

YANBU, I understand exactly where you are coming from. As a newbie I am in total shock at just how hard this parenting lark is and forever annoyed by childless work colleauges making jokes about me sitting around all day watching daytime tv.

you meanie!

Yes, you can sit back and smirk and you'll never even have to say a thing because you'll know she knows...

aw be kind I know it's hard but she's bound to get pnd and find it so much harder for you - she'll say things like 'it's easier for you because you have *** to help out' etc
I've found that the annoying childless couples have got more annoying with PFB tbh
they frown upon loud boucing 4 year olds in a 'my sweet chubby 9 month old will never turn out like that' grrrrrrrrrrrr

Not unreasonable at all.

In a similar vein, I was delighted when a friend of mine had her DD, so I could go and visit her to see her 3 week old DD, and be sure to arrive two hours early for aforementioned visit, and then overstay my welcome by 4 hours. An exact repeat of what she had done to us only 6 months previously

I didn't actually do this, but was sorely tempted.

We're only human.

My friend made me stay out really late on my birthday when I was pregnant, very tired and all I wanted to do was go home. So I pleased to here that the same thing happened to her during her first pregnancy.

pleased to hear!

Yes you should be more forgiving. Don't you remember what it was like to be child-free? And how frustrating new parents were. They couldn't do anything, they'd bang on for hoooours about pregnancy and labour and sleepless nights, they were paranoid about everything. It drie ves you mad!

Just be glad that she will be experiencing the joys as well as the stress, so she will really understand what parenthood is all about.