Is it unreasonable to expect that DD speaks to me like an adult

Glass - that's when the real swearing starts in our house!

'fricking' as in "don't fricking shout at me" is a bad swear word, isn't it?

Oh definitely, hummingbird and Annobel! Mine also do it in a light-hearted way! My granddaughter, when she was about 16 or so, was trying to explain to me how to upload photos from my camera onto the computer. She went through it twice, then said, "Right, Grandma - you do it now, while I watch you." She'd been working part-time in a Play Centre, and I think she was using her newly found knowledge on me....

barrow, my mother is the same. It's probably just as well I live a long way away from her.

glass

Ever since their teenage years I have had to take a deep breath at times, in fact I am occasionally pleasantly suprised when I am listened to with respect or understanding and spoken to like an adult again. I think it just comes with the territory.

barrow

This happens to me in reverse!! I am 62 and my 86 year old Mother still treats me as if I am 6!!

Well the frame of mind I am in today I think I will be biting back

oh well, that's what's important, hummingbird.

It's not nasty at all! It's all done in a light-hearted teasing way, and I guess I play along a bit - all part of the family dynamic. I'm treated with respect and love, and when the chips are down, they know who the boss is!

Like you Bagitha, I can bite!

Even if mine are occasionally paternal, it's usually in a good-natured, teasing manner. GD is very caring, takes my arm in a crowd, but then she used to do that when she was ten.

In short, you don't have to put up with it! Bite back!

I've never understood why people feel the need to scoff just because they are more knowledgeable about something than the person they're scoffing at. Very immature behaviour, I'd say. If someone tried it with me I'd ask them straight out why they felt the need to be nasty when I was consulting them about something in which they had more expertise than me.

Thank goodness it's not only me this happens to! My problems arise when I have issues with anything technical. Now I'm by no means stupid, but DS has a habit of interfering setting up all new devices, which means I don't really get to grips with them. So when iPad / iPhone / iPod go on the blink, naturally, I call the little treasure. He sighs. He throws his eyes up to heaven. He shakes his head. Then he turns the cursed thing off, then on again - it promptly works again! He gives me pitying look as he leaves, as I berate the said device for its intransigence!

My DDs also suggest I might be going deaf but they will persist in talking in a fast mumble/gabble ,with their back to me or when walking out of the room.

And me!

Rector said the same thing in Merryn's welcome to the church! My DD had the grace to

I used to get 'M..u..u..m' in a wheedling voice when money was required, and 'Mother' when I had done something 'embarrassing'. Now they embarrass their children.

Same here! But he admits we're both slightly eccentric?

My eldest DS has taken to calling me 'Mother', as in 'so Mother, what mad trips are you planning next? Unsure whether its protective, patronising or downright sarcastic!

Yes, Childline has a lot to answer for....

Wow!!

mr glamma is the most laid back person I have ever known and a wonderful father to our DCs but the one and only occassion I have ever seen him loose his cool was when DS1 was about 14rs old and finding his feet so to speak,I had just come home from work and quite casually asked him if his homework had been completed and he gave one of those 14 yrs old surly answers,his dad was just behind him and heard every word,he tapped DS2 on shoulder and picked him up by his shirt and held him against the kitchen wall and very gently said to him."when you speak to your mother think that you are talking to The Queen Mother and no one else" said DS2 then released by mr.glamma and told "now tell mum if your homework is finished son" That I can honestly say is the only time DH has had to comment to either of the boys,DD is another matter all together it would take for ever to tell you of her tantrums.

I once hit my DS with my slipper but .... I was also putting out a fire he had started in the bed room at the same time with it
We all lived to tell the tale and he has turned out to be a wonderful son

Glamma. I have to confess my little 3year old madam wouldn't hold my hand when crossing a busy street. She had a tantrum when I insisted and I ended up putting her across my knee and spanking her in public!
I'm not ashamed. It was for her safety.
She was always a difficult determined child and still is at 38!
But I still love her,and my DGD is to die for!

Meant as a reply to Annika I hasten to add....