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I think I would be a bit offended...just because the term "bossy" is negative and no one wants to hear their kid being called anything negative by anyone. I'm only not offended when my brother calls DD bossy because he says it in an endearing way.

I think on occasion the term bossy could be misconstrued for letting the child push the parent around and control them so in that sense I see how it could be taken personally. I probably wouldn't *like* it if someone called my child bossy (or on the opposite end of the spectrum, a pushover) but if it were true I wouldn't be offended.

I would be offended in the slightest way, def not enough to talk to you about it or to care for longer than 5 mins.

Mmmm. I can see anyone feel defensive about it. Things said jokingly still usually stems from truth. If it wet someone I was really close with and I referred to LO as bossy myself, but I'm probably a bit sensitive.

@erinpye: B = bossy

I would be a little annoyed, I guess. I wouldn't mention it and I'd probably move on easily. When others say it, it's kind of judgy toward my parenting. When I say it about my own child, it's usually truthful lol.

I would be a annoyed. If the person that said it also has kids, it's kind of implying that my kid isn't normal and their's was super angelic and patient at that age. If the person didn't have kids, I'd want to point out how all toddlers are that way at a certain age. But since I wouldn't want to offend the person, I'd probably not say anything and just vent to DH.

@erinpye: This. About the sexism.

I read a Kindergarten report of mine and the teacher commented I was bossy. My dad was proud of me as he flipped the word to mean- leader, doles out tasks, takes initiative. But, truly its negative and almost always applied to girls.

I don't know if I would be offended and take action. You were verbalizing behavior you saw. What I wouldn't like is that you said while joking which sounds like you were teasing or making fun of my child.

Depends on the situation and tone.

I would think I wouldn't be because honestly I think all kids are bossy! Mine included.

I heard one of my LOs tell one of the babies she was a crabby baby. It really rubbed me the wrong way. It felt like teasing or name calling. I think if she wanted to verbalize the child's behavior it would be better to say, "You must feel sad because you miss mama. that's okay. She'll be here soon!" I personally try to avoid labels that might have a negative connotation.

I think how I'd feel would depend on who said it.
DH = fine.
MIL = war.

I don't think I would be, my DD is bossy! Very
And my DS is a pushover. I actually once googled "how to help two year old to be more assertive".
I hope that I can bring out the best of those natural qualities (ie being a leader for my DD, being so caring and gentle for my DS) as well as build in resilience ... And keep my sense of humour! I think it all depends on how it's said, and I don't think you should feel worried about having said it.

To be honest I think most parents would prefer not to hear sarcastic remarks about their LO especially not whilst their LO is acting out

I say my kid is bossy, because he is! I honestly wouldn't be offended if anyone else said it either.

@locavore_mama: I got that from your niece she loved telling G what to do. Haha

@sarbear: haha she IS! I think it's the older sister syndrome. She likes to tell the adults what to do. That doesn't fly!

When I first put DD into daycare, one of the ladies told me DD was "bossy". It didn't sit right with me. If I were to hear it now, I think it would have to be someone who is close to me and it would have to be said in a joking manner for me to brush it off. Because I work so hard to have my child behave and be respectful.