‘I always give my toddler the middle-finger – my family think it’s atrocious’

A mum has left parents divided after confessing she regularly gives her little girl the middle-finger behind her back when it all gets a bit too stressful

Parenting is not easy, and everyone has their own coping mechanisms when things get tough, whether that’s screaming into a pillow or sinking a bottle of wine after a stressful week. You all know what we’re talking about.

However, one mum has caused quite a stir online, after confessing she regularly gives her toddler the middle-finger when she needs to let out some of that pent up childcare stress.

The mum took to Mumsnet, where she explained her toddler never actually sees her making the rude gesture, as she does it behind her back – but confessed her own family thinks it’s atrocious behaviour.

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“She definitely doesn’t see and it makes me feel better and is always at home, not out and about etc. My sister thinks it’s appalling,” the mum wrote.

Turning to the forum to question whether she was being unreasonable with her secret signals, the mum was met with mixed responses from other parents.

“I think it’s disgusting to do that to your own innocent child,” one disgruntled mum wrote. “Whether they see or not it is a horrible thing to do and you should be ashamed of yourself.”

Do you think it’s acceptable to secretly swear at a child? Have your say in the comments section…

A second disapproving parent added: “I think that’s quite horrible. Would you like your toddler doing that behind your back when they’re adults and your calling them to ask for something?”

But, not everyone agreed – and some mums even confessed to secretly swearing at their little ones when it’s all gotten too much.

“I’m sure loads of people will be here soon to tell you that it’s wrong but I’ve done It, I’ve also muttered f*** off to myself when my daughter is banging on the bathroom door for the millionth time that day,” one mum admitted. “I’ve never said/done anything to her face but sometimes it just helps to get the frustration out.”

Another amused mum wrote: “This made me laugh as my sis-in-law was doing this to my very grotty toddler the other day! I can’t see the harm in it as a release when you’re having a really frustrated moment.”

“I don’t do it, bit can understand it. It’s a bit like the ‘oh FFS, what now’ I do under my breath when my son calls me for the millionth time whilst I’m putting washing away,” a third added.

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