How to deal with people like this?

barbiedoll

Parents are generally divided into two groups. Those who brag endlessly about their kids and those who don't.

I have a cousin who has 3 very ordinary, average kids. She sends out one of those "round robin" newsletter type things to all of the relatives, every Christmas. It's one long homage to how great her and her kids are, her daughter who is a genius (GCSE's taken: 4. GCSE's passed: 3, already had one abortion, now spends her days providing childcare for her mum as she can't get a job), her eldest son, another genius (can build a decent Lego model but otherwise.......) and her youngest son who is a child prodigy (two violin lessons and a stint with a flute, doesn't make him a prodigy but there you go) She witters on endlessly about her holidays (2 weeks camping in France where her husband has family) her job (which she had to leave as there were "difficulties" with other members of staff) and her bloody dog, which is a perfectly ordinary mongrel and not noteworthy in any sense.

I now send a spoof newsletter to all of my family, detailing my husband's dodgy job as a burgler, my mum's convictions for shoplifting and my son's new career as a grafitti artist and drug dealer. The rest of the family have a sense of humour and can see that it's a joke but for some reason, my cousin hasn't sent me one of her newsletters since, can't think why! :rotfl:
We didn't get invited to her daughter's 18th party either!

Either ignore her or bait her with tales of your daughter's incredible intellect. Tell her that you're related to Lady Gaga and that you've won millions on the Lottery but you don't want it to change your life. Tell her that you have a house with your own pool but you don't want your daughter to be spoiled and you like her to mingle with "common" people. If you're going to be stuck with her for an hour or so, have a little fun!