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Sharing and over sharing

(69 Posts)
Desdemona Thu 19-Dec-24 09:32:42

Say nothing, the writer is being rather cruel, thoughtless and narcissistic, using the angst of a teenager to fill their horrible Christmas card.

eazybee Thu 19-Dec-24 09:29:58

A Christmas letter is not the place to discuss sensitive information of any description but the letter has gone out to all and sundry, so too late for advice. Say nothing. Unless the email can be edited and she discussed his problems with you because you were a teacher?

RosiesMaw2 Thu 19-Dec-24 09:27:18

Homestead62

I would not say anything and dispose of the card when Christmas is over.

It was an email

David49 Thu 19-Dec-24 09:22:48

I never share confidentialities or gossip, although I do hear quite a lot. As for a family member having problems, having a “heads up” why things are not as they should be is useful.
I have a GS (21) who has just had a dramatic breakup with a GF, my daughter has warned me to be sensitive, that was good.

Homestead62 Thu 19-Dec-24 02:31:10

I would not say anything and dispose of the card when Christmas is over.

crazyH Thu 19-Dec-24 00:15:57

I dislike those Round Robin letters. I get one every year from the mother of my son’s ex girlfriend. She encloses it in her Xmas card - any day now 😫 My children would hate it if I started giving all and sundry, details of their lives.
Don’t say anything. The respective family members can have a word with her, if they are not happy.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Wed 18-Dec-24 15:58:45

I’d say nowt. Usually in such a situation YOU’D be the one to come off worst too. Embarrassment then annoyance on their part would make YOU the target I wouldn’t mind betting. 🎯
Even though you’re right.

Astitchintime Wed 18-Dec-24 15:51:59

This sort of thing isn't extended-family 'news' and certainly shouldn't be shared far and wide as general chit-chat.
My AC would be appalled is I shared their 'problems' with my aunts brothers best friends cousin twice removed dog!

Smileless2012 Wed 18-Dec-24 15:50:33

I agree it's over sharing but agree with others that saying nowt is best. If you did drop a hint Rosies would they be sensitive enough to pick up on it?

keepingquiet Wed 18-Dec-24 15:47:20

Definately someone doesn't know the boundaries.

There is a trend to 'overshare' with others now. I think it comes from a backlash against things being covered up in the past, but now young people are just exposed to yet more privacy invasions and I think it's wrong.

I recall years ago someone sharing a pic of her child in hospital on Facebook. I was appalled but people thought I was the weird one. Mum getting lots of sympathy messages but that child is now 18 and I wonder...

Babs03 Wed 18-Dec-24 15:42:01

Say nowt but it is totally over sharing, such details should be kept within the confines of the parents, the school, and the child, with everyone else on a ‘need to know’ basis and I don’t think recipients of a round robin need to know.

DamaskRose Wed 18-Dec-24 14:28:16

Marydoll

For this reason, I dislike ^Round Robin's.^

Me too, like Maw my heart sinks …

Marydoll Wed 18-Dec-24 14:26:00

For this reason, I dislike Round Robin's.

Aveline Wed 18-Dec-24 14:10:01

Oh dear. That's just not right. Difficult situation. I most likely wouldn't be able to stop myself saying just what you mentioned Maw.

Aldom Wed 18-Dec-24 13:53:43

I agree the sender of the Round Robin has overstepped the boundaries of privacy. If I were you I would just say nothing. It's up to the family mentioned in the Christmas letter to comment, if they see fit.

Beechnut Wed 18-Dec-24 13:43:16

I don’t think you are being over sensitive Maw. For myself I wouldn’t say anything and keep out of what has been said. I wouldn’t like it one bit though if this was my child and would probably speak up to my parent if I found out what had been written.

escaped Wed 18-Dec-24 13:42:12

another nowt vote.

pascal30 Wed 18-Dec-24 13:38:26

when in doubt best to say nowt

RosiesMaw2 Wed 18-Dec-24 13:35:26

A family member has sent me their email Christmas letter (heart sinks) full of general chat about golf, a neighbour in the flat downstairs dying, etc etc as you do.
However in the final para they shared news of a grandchild who seems to be going through a bad patch, describes it as OCD, school refusing, behaving especially badly to mum, sullen and uncommunicative (13)
I was concerned because if this Christmas letter is going beyond the boundaries of the immediate family - and frankly even within that immediate family - I don’t think they should really be sharing this information and know that I would be considered well out of order by my D’s if I wrote in similar detail about their children.
Am I being over sensitive? Teenagers can go through all sorts of MH and behavioural issues, often coming safely enough out the other side but I feel it’s not really anybody else’s business.
Or at least it is up to the parents to share as they see fit
Do I drop a hint- that I was sorry to hear about X, hope the situation is easing and hope Mum won’t have minded you sharing?
Or is it best to say nowt?