General Chat

See below Sue xx

Just popped into daughter's house and grandson (6) was about to eat his dinner. He is having a 'I don't eat vegetables, they're YUK' day and daughter was trying to persuade him to eat some peas. He stormed down from the table and ran upstairs shouting 'I'm going to kill myself'. I was speechless - he's only 6, where did he get that from? Daughter says he has been playing with one of her friend's two children (aged 7 and 5) and they say it all the time. Apparently the mother tells the children that if they don't behave she will kill herself! I know we all get stressed with our children (and grandchildren!) but to use that as a threat has absolutely horrified me. Sue xx

They'll have to put a stop to that. Not a good thing for a little lad to be saying, even if in jest or fruastration.

As a mother on 0 and a aunt of 2 under 5 I would be horrified if my nephews said that when they were told to eat their veg. Thankfully they do eat well and llllllllluuuuuuuuuvvvvvvvvvv olives, which the youngest scoffed on Boxing day. Fi

Sue I have a friend whose daughter aged 7, when told she couldn't stay up said 'I wish I was dead!' Maybe 100 years ago when families ate off the table on which various corpses had been laid out were more shocked about such things. I think children learn very early on the kind of talk that adults are shocked by. It's hard not to react though! nell

Yes Nell, I do agree with you about children knowing how and when to use words for the maximum shock value, but for a mother to use it as a threat to her 2 young children.............. Sue xx

Children pick up things these days fromT.V and conversations, it can be shocking to us at times but most of the time there just words to them and mean very little, I am shocked at the friends mother I have to say.

Weird mother. I'm sure that it is only copy cat stuff. Deanna X

One phrase I hear often from very young children, especially on these make over programmes when everyone walks back into the house, is Oh - my - God! Do they really notice what they are saying? It sounds so wrong from a young child's mouth.

have to agree with what Sue and Nell said. Kids learn to say things that will hurt at a young age, but for a mother to say things like that to her children is not right. Even in jest those types of comments from a parent can leave a lasting impression on children. Just finished reading a book called 'A Child Called It'. about a mother who severely abused one of her children. AWFUL was very difficult read. A parent reacting the way this mother does is a form of abuse and needs to be corrected or there would be no way my children would be playing with these other ones. I am concerned about the other mothers children. As for your daughter she will need to reinforce with your grandson that this type of talk is not right. Good Luck Deb

I agree, they pick up everthing not knowing what it all really means. I was going out of the room to get something and my 2 1/2 yr old grandson wanted to go with me. He said 'but where are you going? I just replied i was going to see a man about a dog lol. Well that poor wee lad went on all day about wanting to see the man with the dog! lol Marion.

My boy (just 8) has Asperger's and if he is having a really bad turn then he will scream that he wants to kill himself or that he wishes he was dead or that I want to throw him away or that I want him dead. However, this is a trait of Asperger's - unfortunately suicidal tendencies apparently are quite common, particularly among teenagers. It is truly shocking the first time you hear it from such little ones. My in-laws heard it for the first time on New Year's Day (the excitement and tiredness had overwhelmed him and he had a terrible tantrum) and are still struggling to come to terms with it now. What you experienced seems to be something completely different though, unfortunately so many parents don't think about their children copying them, whether it is swearing, violence, smoking etc. It is all too obvious in the playground which parents are careful and which aren't. Can't believe someone would threaten their children like that though - I think she must be very stupid - sorry! Maybe your daughter needs to encourage them to have different friends! Maz. XX