Yes, parents are always going to brag about their kids at work, and to be quite honest, they have a right to. However, my mom says this woman (we'll call her Jane) brags about things that she probably shouldn't be bragging about. Apparently, Jane has two sons who are very into and "very good at" (according to her) baseball and wrestling. One day Jane was telling my mom and their co-workers about how one of her sons had failed a class and the teachers told her he'd have to go to summer school. But then, Jane also added "And I told them to shove it because it would cut into his baseball season and colleges look down on that sort of thing! Baseball is the only thing he's got going for him! I'm so proud of my baby!". She also brags that her other son has a scholarship to his university because he doesn't have peripheral vision in one eye..... Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't know that's something one usually brags about.
Jane obviously drives my mom crazy! Any advice for her?
2007-09-20 07:27:01 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Tiffany B: Who said anything about me wanting to change my mom?
2007-09-21 02:13:23 · update #1
Okay tell your mom that this woman is obviously on crack or some sort of other drug and look at her and laugh . I cannot stand ppl like this woman . I used to work with someone that showed us pics of their kids all the time . It used to drive me crazy . she got a transfer and I was glad . LOL!!! that woman is a moron and dont pay her any attention and most definately a bad mom . good luck your mom has my sympathy.
2007-09-20 07:37:37 · answer #1 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
whenever "jane" starts to brag about her sons, your mom can excuse herself from the room/office to either make an "important" phone call, all of a sudden have to use the restroom, have a coughing attack that your mom needs to leave and get some water quick, or anything else where your mom does not have to stay and listen.
avoidance works wonders.
another strategy would be when "jane" starts bragging, your mom can say "thank you for wanting to share your bragging rights, but right now i do not have time to listen, sorry. Bye,"
saying this a couple of times will help give "jane" a clue that not everyone likes to hear about all the life history and events of her boys. good luck to your mom.
2007-09-20 07:50:49 · answer #2 · answered by EMT-207 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Smile and Nod...... while blissfully letting your mind escape to somewhere else.......
No really I know where you're coming from. My mom has one of those friends and I honestly can't stand to be around the woman for long periods of time. And there just doesn't seem to be a tactful way of saying SHUTUP I'M SICK OF HEARING ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN!!!
The one good thing is that these "droners" usually don't require active response on your part of the conversation so I generally nod and hmmm... a lot having no clue what she's talking about cause I am mentally rearranging my sock drawer or something else more interesting.....
GOOD LUCK!
2007-09-20 08:18:01 · answer #3 · answered by Nickie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to realize that nothing can make a person prouder than good intelligent offspring who do well at most things. I too don't agree with people bragging all the time, regardless of what is being bragged about.
2007-09-20 08:04:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not something to brag about. When Jane gets going on her boys your mom can excuse herself and walk away or say "I just remembered I have to do something"or start talking about your dog and how many tricks he can do and what a wonderful dog he is soo smart etc. keep it up about the dog everytime Jane does her thing. She will soon get tired of hearing about your dog. if she says something about it your mom can say " we're tired of hearing about your boys I won't talk about my dog if you don't talk about your boys".
2007-09-20 08:11:48 · answer #5 · answered by SandyO 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You and your mom can conspire together so Mom can brag all about YOU! Be creative, and have some fun. Jane should take the hint if you do this well.
2007-09-20 07:36:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Somebody has to brag about them. There isn't much to brag about so far, but the motherly love. Your poor mom has to tell her that she has a lot on her mind is isn't willing to listen to kid talk, at this time.
2007-09-20 08:22:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If she is sick of hearing about it, do what I do and look totally bored and disinterested. I had to put up with my assistant telling me what a genius her son was and shoving his IQ test in everyone's face that came into our dept. Nobody could match his looks, charm or intellect. She's so in love with him that she even calls him "My little boyfriend." She's a weirdo like my assistant and she should disengage from any conversation with her.
2007-09-20 07:47:19 · answer #8 · answered by DAR76 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My advice is to laugh. "Jane" is obviously an idiot and I would personally enjoy hearing her BS stories! There really isn't anything else your mom can do other than telling Jane to shut up.
2007-09-20 07:31:28 · answer #9 · answered by SMS 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
She really only has 2 options.
Put up with it or tell her to shut up.
I personaly would try to put it in a nice way like glad to hear it but I'm trying to work.
2007-09-20 07:40:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋