Is it just me? Grannies who go on endlessly about their grandchildren.

I have eight grandchildren. I’ll start with the eldest and work down. Are you sitting comfortably…

Whatever the topic, it can be mind- numbing if that is all they ever talk about.
I have an acquaintance who has no children, but has posted on social media every week about her dog, using similar sort of language about his antics and his development as if he were her baby. I just don’t want to know.

A neighbour,if you bump into her, gets out her phone to show you endless pictures and then recount their latest achievement, if she can lure you in to her house there is the endless photographs dotted everywhere, not only that because they are so clever they obviously take after her, it’s just a gift. Not a bit interested if your leg was to fall off whilst talking, you must listen.. To be avoided at all costs.

My closest friend has many grandchildren who she is very involved with but she barely mentions them to me as we have too many other interesting things to talk about. One lady at a social club my husband volunteers at has stopped going because she says people don’t talk to her. Trouble is, she talks only of her hundreds of grand/ great/great-great grandchildren and nothing else, and takes no interest in what others say so it’s very tedious. No wonder they avoid talking to her, which is sad.

People who talk endlessly of their children are also tedious! It’s the “all things in moderation “ which is key here. The best audience for grandchildren’s achievements is their parents - it’s bliss!

I have a distant friend who posts the child’s life history on FB of course I don’t have to read, but everyday pops up a picture with something she’s done, she s the tallest in her class she’s the fastest, she’s brilliant at gymnastics, she’s the best artist in her class, she’s the best at ballet, at every sport a 4 year old can do, every song she’s every tried to sing is videoed I just think it’s so bad for the child to get so much attention I m sure she ll be on the stage when she’s 6
Dear little kid but oh my oh my

I am fine hearing about something extraordinary, passing an exam, or if they are very ill, but it bores me rigid when it is about what they have eaten or something ‘cute’ that has been said and the endless photos of someone I am never going to meet is tedious.

My neighbour is the same, but when her stories (thankfully, no photos) about A and K are being repeated, I, very courteously, will say “yes B, I think you have mentioned this before’”,and then comes the reply “oh sorry H, I keep forgetting who I have told it to”?

I am one who finds people endlessly talking about grandchildren and showing you photos, endlessly boring.

Of course I want news when it is a close friend and I know the children and when there is a conversation where a reference to them is appropriate. But the endless bore. Mind you this also applies to pets, holidays and almost anything else someone is obsessed by.

I do not even have photos of my grandchildren on my phone, or anyone else for that matter, I know what my family look like and do not need to constantly remind myself.

I don’t mind catching up on news about peoples GC, especially if I know the grandchildren in question. I have 6 GC and am very proud of them all but I also like to chat about other things.

I agree with Calendargirl around people who show you endless photographs of their GC. Nothing worse when you’re out for lunch in a group for example and there will always be someone who thrust their phone in your faces expecting you to go through a whole back log of pics. I feel the same about other peoples holiday photos.

I quietly wait my turn, talk to something different.

No problem, really.

I have a good friend with one GC.

Obviously very proud, but she took no end of photos of him, and every time we met, you had to go through them, oohing and aahing.

Wasn’t just me, she did it with everybody.

Thank goodness he is older now, and not so many to view.

Thank you for all your interesting and varied replies. I would agree with the 'in moderation group'. What I like about this board is that you always get a great cross section so one can see someone else's point of view too.

Nell8

Yes, LR , I agree. It gets even worse when the offender is competitive and feels the need to top any small success story one tries to share.

That is annoying and sometimes I feel the urge to say my grandchildren have just climbed Everest/become missionaries/ joined Mensa etc. There is a difference between being proud and bragging.

If it is in Real Life, you just have to pre-stock your mind with as many other bits as conversation as you can think of whenever you plan to be in their company. Then, after they have had a little time to give you the latest highlights, but before it gets too repetitive and boring, you slip in one of your titbits of information, or your questions about some other (not grandchildren) subject and lead the talk down other avenues.

On Gransnet, it isn't a problem. You are not obliged to read any thread about what perfect grandchildren anyone has. There are many other subjects that you can move to instead. Plenty of choice - and if you are not thrilled by any of the topics on offer, you can start a new thread yourself. It is all up to you.

I suppose anyone who monopolises a conversation can become a bit tedious whether it's GCs dogs cats or hobbies. I think my GCs are wonderful but I don't talk about them with friends as I know they don't feel the same way.

People who talk a lot about their grandchildren should be sensitive when chatting to others who have none and no prospects of any.

Nell8

Yes, LR , I agree. It gets even worse when the offender is competitive and feels the need to top any small success story one tries to share.

X post, yes, that's it exactly

Blossoming

I don’t mind hearing about other people’s children and grandchildren, they are obviously very proud and loving grandparents.

Me neither, especially as I know some of the DC and may have met the grandchildren too. I usually ask how they are anyway.

One friend doesn't let me get half a sentence out when she asks me how my my DC and DGC are before she talks over the top of me, telling me how wonderful all hers are!

However, as long as it's not the only topic of conversation, that's fine.

Yes, LR , I agree. It gets even worse when the offender is competitive and feels the need to top any small success story one tries to share.

Generally I’ve found it’s either grandchildren or health, personally I prefer the former, in moderation of course. I find whereas people don’t like to sound boastful about their children’s’ achievements, it is somehow more acceptable to take pride in the doings of grandchildren. Fortunately I must say I haven’t experienced it being the sole topic of conversation.

I don’t mind hearing about other people’s children and grandchildren, they are obviously very proud and loving grandparents.

some people, op, have nothing else to talk about, nothing much else in their lives. Very boring to other people

Glad it's not just me then nanna who proudly shows pics of our dogs.

Thanks Vintagejazz i get your meaning

We are all proud of our grandchildren but most will flash the odd photo around and that’s it. I know someone who has no children or grandchildren and she flashes round photos of her dog. Fine by me, she is just proud of him. I think it is rather nice.