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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>The Snarky Joneses
Unregistered 08:46 AM 08-10-2013
Okay...you know that saying, "Keeping up with the Joneses?"--well, I provide child care for some of the actual Joneses. They both earn high professional incomes and live in a luxurious, pristine home because their kids do the majority of their living at my house. So, my young daughter buys me this garden statue for my birthday. Yes, it's pretty kitschy, but I love it because I love my daughter, and I display it proudly. Their kids are obsessed with it and have to pat it on the head upon entering. This leads to the Joneses repeatedly making snarky, sarcastic comments about it. "Your daughter has excellent taste."--smirk. "Wow, she outdid herself."--smirk. Trust me--these are not compliments. This is bothering me way more than it should. It's just hard to open your home to people and have them be snobby pricks and comment on things that have nothing to do with the day care! (I'm considering buying their kids one for Christmas--he! he!)
I'm not very good at replies, so anyone have a good one?
I'm not very good at replies, so anyone have a good one?
blandino 09:19 AM 08-10-2013
I would say something matter of fact, that puts her in her place, and hopefully makes her ashamed of herself for beig cruel and snarky and degrading.
I would refer to the fact that you love it because your daughter picked it out, and that is far more important to you than how it looks.
I would refer to the fact that you love it because your daughter picked it out, and that is far more important to you than how it looks.
MamaBearCanada 09:38 AM 08-10-2013
"Wow your daughter has excellent taste." " She really outdid herself."
With a smile:
"Yes, I'm very proud of her kindness."
"Yes, I'm blessed that she cares so much she would take the time to think of me and choose something all by herself."
"Yes, I love the gesture even more than the great gift."
"Isn't it funny how material things don't matter when you love your kids, just the gesture?"
With a smile:
"Yes, I'm very proud of her kindness."
"Yes, I'm blessed that she cares so much she would take the time to think of me and choose something all by herself."
"Yes, I love the gesture even more than the great gift."
"Isn't it funny how material things don't matter when you love your kids, just the gesture?"
Familycare71 09:49 AM 08-10-2013
Originally Posted by MamaBearCanada:
"Wow your daughter has excellent taste." " She really outdid herself."
With a smile:
"Yes, I'm very proud of her kindness."
"Yes, I'm blessed that she cares so much she would take the time to think of me and choose something all by herself."
"Yes, I love the gesture even more than the great gift."
"Isn't it funny how material things don't matter when you love your kids, just the gesture?"
"Wow your daughter has excellent taste." " She really outdid herself."
With a smile:
"Yes, I'm very proud of her kindness."
"Yes, I'm blessed that she cares so much she would take the time to think of me and choose something all by herself."
"Yes, I love the gesture even more than the great gift."
"Isn't it funny how material things don't matter when you love your kids, just the gesture?"
. I think the last one is my fav!But I REALLY like the idea of getting her kids one for Christmas!! With the comment- I know your children and YOU love it so much because of how much you compliment it!
Starburst 10:10 AM 08-10-2013
I would consider snide and snarky comments like that as disrespectful to your daughter (weather she hears/understands them or not). That would be a violation of my policies (respect for me, my family, and my home). Yes, she has a right to her own opinion but that doesn't mean she has to be rude and share them with you.
Some comebacks on comments on your daughter's taste:
"Yes, she does." (just say it with a smile, she might get the hint)
"She saved up for it herself and bought it just for me, and that makes it more priceless than all the Picasso paintings in the world in my eyes." (a little cheesy but hopefully enough to paralyze her in her tracks)
Some comebacks on comments on your daughter's taste:
"Yes, she does." (just say it with a smile, she might get the hint)
"She saved up for it herself and bought it just for me, and that makes it more priceless than all the Picasso paintings in the world in my eyes." (a little cheesy but hopefully enough to paralyze her in her tracks)
Cradle2crayons 10:24 AM 08-10-2013
Y'all are nice because I would have simply said
" gosh that was rude! I cherish everything my kids give me, regardless of style or price!"
" gosh that was rude! I cherish everything my kids give me, regardless of style or price!"
NeedaVaca 11:26 AM 08-10-2013
Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons:
Y'all are nice because I would have simply said
" gosh that was rude! I cherish everything my kids give me, regardless of style or price!"
and end it with "Don't you?" listen to them stammer for a bit...Y'all are nice because I would have simply said
" gosh that was rude! I cherish everything my kids give me, regardless of style or price!"
Hunni Bee 11:47 AM 08-10-2013
Really? How pond-scummy of them. 
More of the mentality of "I pay you so I can say/do whatever I want".
I'd definitely make one of the above comments...and make sure they feel horrible about it.
More of the mentality of "I pay you so I can say/do whatever I want".
I'd definitely make one of the above comments...and make sure they feel horrible about it.
Cradle2crayons 12:30 PM 08-10-2013
Originally Posted by NeedaVaca:
and end it with "Don't you?" listen to them stammer for a bit...
and end it with "Don't you?" listen to them stammer for a bit...
EntropyControlSpecialist 01:12 PM 08-10-2013
Holy cow. Sometimes the things people say amaze me.
Laurel 01:46 PM 08-10-2013
I don't care for hints.
Away from the children I would say "I don't like it when you make comments about my child's gift to me. She picked it out herself thinking I would love it and I do because it IS the thought that counts. No comment at all is better than one that might hurt her feelings." Then when she stammers and says she was just kidding or whatever then I'd say. "Well none of us think it is funny, okay?" Saying okay pretty much forces them to answer and feel bad (hopefully).
When I was working in a Montessori preschool years ago we taught the children to say "I don't like it when _____________." It works well for adults too.
Laurel
Away from the children I would say "I don't like it when you make comments about my child's gift to me. She picked it out herself thinking I would love it and I do because it IS the thought that counts. No comment at all is better than one that might hurt her feelings." Then when she stammers and says she was just kidding or whatever then I'd say. "Well none of us think it is funny, okay?" Saying okay pretty much forces them to answer and feel bad (hopefully).
When I was working in a Montessori preschool years ago we taught the children to say "I don't like it when _____________." It works well for adults too.
Laurel
Crystal 02:23 PM 08-10-2013
Originally Posted by Laurel:
I don't care for hints.
Away from the children I would say "I don't like it when you make comments about my child's gift to me. She picked it out herself thinking I would love it and I do because it IS the thought that counts. No comment at all is better than one that might hurt her feelings." Then when she stammers and says she was just kidding or whatever then I'd say. "Well none of us think it is funny, okay?" Saying okay pretty much forces them to answer and feel bad (hopefully).
When I was working in a Montessori preschool years ago we taught the children to say "I don't like it when _____________." It works well for adults too.
Laurel
Exactly this. I don't care for hints.
Away from the children I would say "I don't like it when you make comments about my child's gift to me. She picked it out herself thinking I would love it and I do because it IS the thought that counts. No comment at all is better than one that might hurt her feelings." Then when she stammers and says she was just kidding or whatever then I'd say. "Well none of us think it is funny, okay?" Saying okay pretty much forces them to answer and feel bad (hopefully).
When I was working in a Montessori preschool years ago we taught the children to say "I don't like it when _____________." It works well for adults too.
Laurel
MyAngels 03:25 PM 08-10-2013
Originally Posted by Laurel:
I don't care for hints.
Away from the children I would say "I don't like it when you make comments about my child's gift to me. She picked it out herself thinking I would love it and I do because it IS the thought that counts. No comment at all is better than one that might hurt her feelings." Then when she stammers and says she was just kidding or whatever then I'd say. "Well none of us think it is funny, okay?" Saying okay pretty much forces them to answer and feel bad (hopefully).
When I was working in a Montessori preschool years ago we taught the children to say "I don't like it when _____________." It works well for adults too.
Laurel
I don't care for hints.
Away from the children I would say "I don't like it when you make comments about my child's gift to me. She picked it out herself thinking I would love it and I do because it IS the thought that counts. No comment at all is better than one that might hurt her feelings." Then when she stammers and says she was just kidding or whatever then I'd say. "Well none of us think it is funny, okay?" Saying okay pretty much forces them to answer and feel bad (hopefully).
When I was working in a Montessori preschool years ago we taught the children to say "I don't like it when _____________." It works well for adults too.
Laurel
daycarediva 03:52 PM 08-10-2013
Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons:
Y'all are nice because I would have simply said
" gosh that was rude! I cherish everything my kids give me, regardless of style or price!"
Y'all are nice because I would have simply said
" gosh that was rude! I cherish everything my kids give me, regardless of style or price!"
I once had a parent comment on the pencil holder on my desk. My ds made it at camp and I LOVE it. I said something very similar and she stfu.
kimsdaycare 10:55 AM 08-11-2013
I would have just smiled big and told her "Yup, you can always tell which houses are decorated by the love of a child rather than the love of pretty things. It reminds me everyday how much love fills this home. You can't buy that feeling at some trendy store, no matter how much you spend! "
Smile big again and pat the little statue on it's head like it's earned it
Smile big again and pat the little statue on it's head like it's earned it
Familycare71 11:04 AM 08-11-2013
Originally Posted by kimsdaycare:
I would have just smiled big and told her "Yup, you can always tell which houses are decorated by the love of a child rather than the love of pretty things. It reminds me everyday how much love fills this home. You can't buy that feeling at some trendy store, no matter how much you spend! "
Smile big again and pat the little statue on it's head like it's earned it
My fav! It is actually sincere but gets your point acrossI would have just smiled big and told her "Yup, you can always tell which houses are decorated by the love of a child rather than the love of pretty things. It reminds me everyday how much love fills this home. You can't buy that feeling at some trendy store, no matter how much you spend! "
Smile big again and pat the little statue on it's head like it's earned it
MarinaVanessa 11:18 AM 08-11-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
I once had a parent comment on the pencil holder on my desk. My ds made it at camp and I LOVE it. I said something very similar and she stfu.
I once had a parent comment on the pencil holder on my desk. My ds made it at camp and I LOVE it. I said something very similar and she stfu.
Unregistered 05:00 AM 08-12-2013
Originally Posted by Hunni Bee:
Really? How pond-scummy of them.
More of the mentality of "I pay you so I can say/do whatever I want".
I'd definitely make one of the above comments...and make sure they feel horrible about it.
Yeah...right? I think this is why I can't let it go.--And they expect me to gush about a new headband, a picture of their son taking a bath, etc., but make-fun of what my kids do!? Trust me, I'm not doing back-flips either, but I know how to be polite.My husband told me to tell them that effective immediately, I will be raising my rates to compensate for expensive birthday giftsReally? How pond-scummy of them.
More of the mentality of "I pay you so I can say/do whatever I want".
I'd definitely make one of the above comments...and make sure they feel horrible about it.
Familycare71 05:04 AM 08-12-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
Yeah...right? I think this is why I can't let it go.--And they expect me to gush about a new headband, a picture of their son taking a bath, etc., but make-fun of what my kids do!? Trust me, I'm not doing back-flips either, but I know how to be polite.My husband told me to tell them that effective immediately, I will be raising my rates to compensate for expensive birthday gifts
Yeah...right? I think this is why I can't let it go.--And they expect me to gush about a new headband, a picture of their son taking a bath, etc., but make-fun of what my kids do!? Trust me, I'm not doing back-flips either, but I know how to be polite.My husband told me to tell them that effective immediately, I will be raising my rates to compensate for expensive birthday gifts
