Do you resist saying "I told you so!"?
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
October 22, 2009 9:40am CST
My son was talking about getting a puppy a few weeks ago and I asked him why he thought we always got older dogs instead of puppies! After telling him how intense it is to housetrain a puppy, and how puppies have their own schedules and wake their owners up to play, throw up on the carpet and all the other things that puppies do (bless their hearts! 
) he went ahead and got the puppy.
I had to resist saying "I told you so!" yesterday when he called me at his wit's end. He was exhausted trying to get enough sleep in order to work, train the puppy, get it on a schedule so he could sleep, etc., etc. He stated in no unclear terms that if he survived this he would never have another puppy and NO kids, ever! 
He may even give the puppy to a friend, he's so tired and frustrated.
Well, I told him so! But I didn't say it. Have you been right about something, especially with your children, and resisted a triumphant "I told you so!"?
) he went ahead and got the puppy.
I had to resist saying "I told you so!" yesterday when he called me at his wit's end. He was exhausted trying to get enough sleep in order to work, train the puppy, get it on a schedule so he could sleep, etc., etc. He stated in no unclear terms that if he survived this he would never have another puppy and NO kids, ever! He may even give the puppy to a friend, he's so tired and frustrated.
Well, I told him so! But I didn't say it. Have you been right about something, especially with your children, and resisted a triumphant "I told you so!"?4 people like this
13 responses
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
23 Oct 09
You were cool by not telling him that; I think in a way he knew that he should have listened to your opinion before.
Whenever I'm in this kind of situation, I would just keep quiet too. But should the similar thing came about the next time, I would remind that person how she/he didn't listen to me and what happened. I think the first time should be alright; but a repetitive one should really be 'I told you so!' - 
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
23 Oct 09
I agree, if they're dumb enough to repeat the mistake it's open season on "I told you so"! Luckily, my sons usually learn the first time although it's usually the hard way since they didn't listen to me!
Luckily, my sons usually learn the first time although it's usually the hard way since they didn't listen to me! 1 person likes this
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
22 Oct 09
I have problems not saying I told you so but after dealing with my husbands family for 12 years I have learned when and where to do it. I still have my moments though especially with my kids as they are 10 and under and I use them as examples of why they should listen to me. My pre-teen likes to ask why she should listen to me, I really rub them in her face at times, in a light hearted way though.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
22 Oct 09
Your daughter is very fortunate to have older examples to follow, both for mistakes and success! My boys were so close together--364 days!--that they were often making the same mistakes at the same times!
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
23 Oct 09
Wow that is close my oldest two are 23 months apart and they do tend to get in the most trouble together, the last one is 4 years younger then the second one and watches them, she is very observant.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
23 Oct 09
Some people need it because they honestly don't remember what you said. They will appear to be listening to you but it's going in one ear and out the other with no stopping in between!
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
23 Oct 09
I do not resist the words "I told you so!" In fact I make sure that people know I did tell them so. I tell my now 14 year old daughter trust me, how many times have I been right. Sure it drives people crazy but I do find that it makes them work harder to make sure that I am wrong. Because if they do I will admit I was wrong, which so far hasn't happened. Muhahahaha
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
23 Oct 09
If you have a 14 year old that listens to you, you're an exceptional parent!
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
22 Oct 09
It really depends. If someone knows that I told them so and exactly what I said would happens and happened then I will say it jokingly. Sometimes though if is my husband and I told him something and failed at something or something went terribly wrong I hold my tongue because I know if I say I told you so then he will get upset. If it somthing that is just funny and not disasterous then I will say it, but if I know it will make someone angry I will not say it.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
22 Oct 09
Knowing when it's acceptable to say it can be as important as knowing whether to say it at all! It's strange that we can say it to friends but loved ones usually take offense.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
23 Oct 09
I've always said that if the world would only listen to me, I'd solve all the problems!
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
22 Oct 09
hi dragon54u well this is a bit backward but one day a year or so ago I was trying to mylot and drink ice tea at the same time, bad idea. I dropped my glass and dumped tea all over my keyboard. I was busily trying to mop up the tea when my son walked in. I got the I told you so bit from him. A little later he had gone out
and returned with a large coke. I got the mail and came into his room to give him his mail just as his elbow hit the paper cup of coke, throwing coke all over his keyboard. I smiled and bit my tongue. I was darned if I was going to say I told you so. He finally looked at me while drying his keyboard, and said, well say it? I laughed and said," What? He blushed and said, well I told you so,of course. I laughed and said, I don't need to say it, as you just did. Then we both laughed like a couple of idiots.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
22 Oct 09
I love it when things like that happen! And by biting our tongue, we have the memory of laughing together instead of resentment or conflict. What a wise mom you are! 
And by biting our tongue, we have the memory of laughing together instead of resentment or conflict. What a wise mom you are! 
@lyzabelle (1668)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
Sometimes children think that most things in this world
are easy to get and do. Responsibility is a hard thing to
practice especially on their age. Anyways...they will learn
as days progress. The good thing about it is that he is trying
to do his duty to the puppy.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
22 Oct 09
Yes, he's trying very hard! I think whether he keeps the puppy or gives it to a friend, he'll have learned a valuable lesson in patience and responsibility.
@jesssp (2712)
• Canada
22 Oct 09
I really love busting out the I told ya so's! I know it's not very nice but when it's something that I've tried over and over to get through to someone about and they go ahead and do it (or don't do it) anyway I can't help but relishing in the I was right-ness.
I hope he keeps the puppy though. Even though they're a lot of work they are worth it in the end. Although I have yet to get one because of all the reasons you stated, I KNOW you're right!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
22 Oct 09
I really hope he makes it through the first few weeks, dogs really enrich our lives so much! I told him "welcome to parenthood!". He said nobody but me told him about all the work and frustration and the wanting to wring the poor thing's neck and asked me why people don't talk about that. I told him the same reason they don't talk about wanting to throw a child out the window--it's an unthinkable thing even though everyone feels it at one time or another. We compensate, we deal with it and we grow through it.
It's a good feeling sometimes to have an "I told you so" moment, isn't it? I just couldn't do it with this situation, he's in such a quandary!
I just couldn't do it with this situation, he's in such a quandary!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
22 Oct 09
I never say it as this was all I heard whilst growing up. I think it - but I don't say it. I hope that I never do but I have come close to saying it a few times.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
22 Oct 09
My mom never said it but my dad, siblings, aunts and uncles and cousins all did! I got so sick of hearing it that I rarely said it to my kids. There are a lot of things that I didn't like when I was growing up and I tried not to do them with my own precious children. It didn't hurt, they're well adjusted young men now!
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
22 Oct 09
I admit doing it a few times when my boys were little, just like you, so they would know that they should listen to me. Why do we all have to learn most things the hard way?! I've since told my own mother how often she was right and I didn't listen and I think she takes some satisfaction in that fact, that she did teach me something! 
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
22 Oct 09
Well, you've recognized a weakness so now you can turn it into a strength!
@donnasnyder2 (2)
• United States
22 Oct 09
Yes, I have been right about a lot of things concerning my children. Sometimes I say I told you so. Not all of the time. I have found that most children no matter what their ages are have their own opinions about things, and very strong ones at that and probably won't take your advice on things. If they do, you are lucky. They have the need to find out these things on their own, and when it fails, they want you to be there so they can vent to you about it.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
22 Oct 09
Yes, they do need to vent! When you don't remind them of your words, they will feel more free to express themselves, too. But it is such a temptation to me sometimes!
I wonder what is is that makes us think our parents are so stupid? It's amazing how much smarter the parents get as we get older!
Hey, welcome to myLot! Hope you have a lot of fun here, make lots of friends and see a profit, too!
I wonder what is is that makes us think our parents are so stupid? It's amazing how much smarter the parents get as we get older!
Hey, welcome to myLot! Hope you have a lot of fun here, make lots of friends and see a profit, too!