What’s with parents who talk ALL THE TIME about their kids?

[Anonymous]

There’s a woman in the yoga class I go to every week who spends the 10 minutes leading up to class talking about her son to anyone in earshot. I don’t know this woman from Adam, but I know where her son goes to college, his classes, his sports performance, his desire to bring a car to campus, his weekend plans, et cetera, et cetera. I could probably find and stalk him from all the information I have on him.

Everyone is polite and smiles and nods, and makes little interested noises, but wtf is this woman thinking? Does she actually think we’re interested? Can she just not help herself? Does she literally have nothing else going on in her life? I just don’t understand how she can be so un self-aware. I kind of get it for parents of very young kids, but I would think by the time their kids are in college, parents would have outgrown this behavior.

[Anonymous]

I mean, I don't do this but it doesn't make me this mad when other people do? People talk about what interests them. This woman clearly really cares about her kid. There are much worse things for someone to fixate on.

I would examine why you are so triggered by this. Just sit on the other side of the room? I mean, who cares?

[Anonymous]

I know my "friend's" son's grades in a few of his college classes. I never asked nor am interested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, I don't do this but it doesn't make me this mad when other people do? People talk about what interests them. This woman clearly really cares about her kid. There are much worse things for someone to fixate on.

I would examine why you are so triggered by this. Just sit on the other side of the room? I mean, who cares?

Sure, but the point is that no one else does. And it’s a completely one-sided conversation—what is anyone else supposed to say about her son?

[Anonymous]

Maybe she’s a single mom and has nobody else to talk to. Who cares?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, I don't do this but it doesn't make me this mad when other people do? People talk about what interests them. This woman clearly really cares about her kid. There are much worse things for someone to fixate on.

I would examine why you are so triggered by this. Just sit on the other side of the room? I mean, who cares?

Sure, but the point is that no one else does. And it’s a completely one-sided conversation—what is anyone else supposed to say about her son?

You engage in conversation and talk about your own kid… or overlapping interests/concerns… the weather or football team in his college town… literally anything you can think of, the sky’s the limit!

I swear to God people no longer know how to interact with others in real life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, I don't do this but it doesn't make me this mad when other people do? People talk about what interests them. This woman clearly really cares about her kid. There are much worse things for someone to fixate on.

I would examine why you are so triggered by this. Just sit on the other side of the room? I mean, who cares?

Sure, but the point is that no one else does. And it’s a completely one-sided conversation—what is anyone else supposed to say about her son?

You engage in conversation and talk about your own kid… or overlapping interests/concerns… the weather or football team in his college town… literally anything you can think of, the sky’s the limit!

I swear to God people no longer know how to interact with others in real life.

Oh, you mean like this woman, who has chosen as her sole topic of conversation something that no one else cares about or can contribute to? It’s a monologue.

[Anonymous]

OP: I so understand what you are talking about and people that do this seem to not care to read the room. When I get to the point, you are at, I stop them in their tracks and excuse myself and walk away. They tend to just pivot and find some other poor soul.

[Anonymous]

Haven’t you met a narcissist before? Somewhat common. Just excuse yourself and ignore.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a professional mother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven’t you met a narcissist before? Somewhat common. Just excuse yourself and ignore.

+100

[Anonymous]

I have a coworker like this. Her entire world is her kids. She really doesn't have hobbies or do anything (besides work) outside of them. I just tend to steer convo into something else. One kid is heavily involved in dance and they travel a ton. So I try to steer the conversation in directions about their trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a woman in the yoga class I go to every week who spends the 10 minutes leading up to class talking about her son to anyone in earshot. I don’t know this woman from Adam, but I know where her son goes to college, his classes, his sports performance, his desire to bring a car to campus, his weekend plans, et cetera, et cetera. I could probably find and stalk him from all the information I have on him.

Everyone is polite and smiles and nods, and makes little interested noises, but wtf is this woman thinking? Does she actually think we’re interested? Can she just not help herself? Does she literally have nothing else going on in her life? I just don’t understand how she can be so un self-aware. I kind of get it for parents of very young kids, but I would think by the time their kids are in college, parents would have outgrown this behavior.

I think I have been to that yoga place and agree she is way way over the top with details, names and places (if you're in my state). I also identify with this description of talking too much about my kids though. I feel like I'm watching myself and saying "Stop!" but cannot help myself. I end up trying to hit the breaks but then need to clarify something or the other person asks questions. I don't always remember but have to give myself reminders before social situations. I even enjoy the conversations that leave kids out much more but kids are just the first/easy topic people ask about. I just need to remember not to get sidetracked

[Anonymous]

She is probably just lonely and misses her son at college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven’t you met a narcissist before? Somewhat common. Just excuse yourself and ignore.

Am I missing something? Someone talking (perhaps too much) about their kid makes them a narcissist?