'Aren't they tall': The phrase that all new insecure mothers simply don't want to hear

When the little angels can do no wrong it’s always a shock to hear a contrary view.



Which might explain why one in three mothers have fallen out with someone over how to raise their child.



Potty training is the most frequent cause of rows with behaviour, growth and a child’s eating and sleeping habits other touchy subjects.



According to a study, almost a quarter of mothers have argued with someone to the extent that they are no longer talking.



Key remarks that can trigger a row include ‘Aren’t they tall / short’ and ‘When my child was that age, they were already walking/talking’.

Other mothers have been criticised for giving their child a dummy and been questioned about whether their children are eating properly.



Psychologists say it can be difficult for parents to hear comments about their child’s development.

Not only does it raise concerns there might be something wrong, it could also imply the mother isn’t doing a good enough job.



Emma Kenny, spokesman for Pull-Ups, the potty training experts who commissioned the study, said: ‘It’s important to remember that all youngsters develop at different speeds.

'For example, when it comes to potty training some children can be dry during the day at the age of two when others can be closer to four.’



As well as highlighting fall-outs, the study of 2,000 mothers also revealed mother-in-laws were the most common culprits for dishing out unwanted advice.



While some mothers said they were able to take the comments on the chin, one third admitted they got defensive whenever someone asked something about their child’s development.



One in three mothers has fallen out with someone amid a bust-up over how to raise her child - with their own mums or mother-in-law the main culprits, researchers have found.

Mother-in-laws are the main culprits when it comes to mothers having a bust-ups over how to raise their child

Ms Kenny added: 'For many mums it can be difficult to hear comments about how their child isn't doing something by a certain age, or isn't behaving in a certain way.

'Not only does it raise concerns that there might be something wrong, but it could also indirectly criticise the mother by implying that she isn't doing a good enough job.

'Many of the comments will often come from other people comparing the child to their own, or someone else's, but it's important to remember than all youngsters develop at different speeds.

The study surveyed 2,000 mothers and found comments or remarks made by close relatives, other mothers and even complete strangers are also common triggers

Some mothers have been told their child should be talking more than they were, criticised for giving them a dummy and questioned about whether their child was eating properly.

As well as highlighting the actual fall outs mothers are having, the study also revealed mother-in-laws are the most common culprits for dishing out unwanted advice.





While some mums said they were able to take the comments on the chin, one third admitted they get very defensive whenever someone says something about their child's development.

Over half of them (56 per cent) were left feeling down and upset by the remarks and some felt so troubled that they ended up speaking to a doctor or health visitor.

Emma Kenny added: 'When the time is right to start potty training, the key for parents is to be patient, to encourage their child and offer lots of praise and support.