to think it's high time somebody started an "I'm an imperfect mother" thread on here? Jeeez the number of perfectly perfect mums on here atm is quite scary

[emkana]

Okay I'll start

I'm not a perfect mother because

I lose my temper
I let them watch x factor and the cube on a Saturday night, and don't even read them a bedtime story after
I've taken them out of school for holidays

Hey back off HarryB please. She has brightened up my night.

Yeah Clara, right. Because a. its up to you to decide what I can and can't say on a message board and b. singing 'cunt' in front of your baby is just soooooo amusing. If that brightened up your life you might want to get a new one.

I wouldn't let some of these people have a pet let alone a baby/child. Shameful.

Sorry, I completely assumed Harry8 was a namechanger on this thread from earlier on it and was making a joke...are you saying that was a serious post?

All I can say it, I just could not imagine wanting to pollute the room my 8 month old child was in with a word like that, it doesn't matter remotely that they can't understand you.

I would feel like I was playing a truly vile trick on my innocent child whilst they gurgled up at my "lovely little song".

Honestly, just because you're child does not understand, does not remotely make it right or ok. Jeezus, really. Harry8 you are for real?

I utterly, utterly took it for a joke. From someone who is opposed to swearing at kids making the point so extreme in the other direction that they illustrate their opposition with utter clarity.

I'm appalled. But you won't care.

Oops sorry have I missed a few posts here, was upstairs singing lullabies...

You're a card aren't you

My tongue is firmly in my cheek and like I've said, do you really think I would say such a thing if I thought for a minute that he understood what I was saying. It's just been a release for me a couple of times when she's been an absolute nightmare. Jeez.

Calling your child rude names directly when they understand what you are saying is wrong. Driving your kid to school when you're over the limit is wrong. As is, not bothering to take your child to school when you're hungover.

Harry - maybe I'm weird but just the thought of using that language in front of my child (or any child) makes me feel ill. Still if its a release for you, you go girl

When I work I work in childcare. There are far far worse things than swearing in front of/with/at your child in a jokey context imo.

I know...

Why don't you all hide the thread.

Then we can put it to bed and say no more about it.

I am now worried about having watched The Sopranos boxset when DD was 2 weeks old.

For the love of God. Just because there are worse things doesn't mean that swearing at your child isn't bad. What a dumb argument.

"So, to take it to extremes, can the SAHM with three children one of them with SN, all still young, be cut some slack for losing her temper sometimes, while the WOHM who sees her only child of over 10 years of age for just two hours a day cannot."

Don't see it as a wohm/sahm thing unless you are suggesting that work is good for women because it forces them to keep their temper and exercise some self-control in their choice of lullabies ... Which possibly is a good reason for working but not one that had previously occurred to me.

Is the definition of ultra-cool on this thread when your baby's first word is 'cunt'?

I want to go and watch telly now shiney cos it's freeeezing in here and I've made a pact with self not to turn heating on till October...

can I go now and it not look like I'm in a huff?

Quattrocento - like your style

Apologies if I've offended anyone, it really was tongue in cheek.

I think "fucking cunt" would be ultra cool.

"cunt" is just cool

ooops Defluff just saw yours...I just don't think swearing's a big deal. It's the context that matters, as I said before. If you're doing it abusively, it's definitely not on. If it's funny, and the "normal" way you speak, I've got absolutely no problem with it.

Harry, I think it's just that some of us can't imagine wanting to utter that word in front of our 8 month old baby. Y'know?

I understand wanting to let of steam about your MIL, but really, if you want to call her a cunt, call your best mate or your sister or whoever and say it to them.

Or better still, just sing "Your nanny is a silly old trout" In fact ANYTHING that lets you let off steam and take the piss out of your MIL but why does it have to be that word?

I can only imagine you get some sort of frisson out of saying what you know is unacceptable in front of said adult, in front of your own DC.

Or, alternatively, we are on different planets.

I shouted so loud once my 9 year old ran screaming 'mum's gone psycho' from the room.

I've also stamped my foot and shouted. How lame is that? [shame]

Working very hard now to stop shouting and blowing my top. I'm trying to lower my voice in volume and pitch when I'm telling them off - finding it works a treat.

I bought my middle child a whoopee cushion for his birthday and encourage them all to think that farts - simulated and real - are hilarious.