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Kid being gossiped about by mums.

304 replies

motheroffour1980 · 13/01/2025 13:36

Hi there,

I just want to throw this out there to get other parents opinions.

My 5 year old just started in a nice, small, school in the Midlands last September. All has being well so far and he’s happy and made new friends.

However in his class there’s one mum who has been complaining to all the other parents about this one boy in the class who has a tendency to curse.

She said he has been cursing nearly every day in front of her daughter.

I personally think it is an overreaction on her part and she shouldn’t be sharing it with us or the other mums.

I heard this all initially from one of the other mums who she had first said it to, then another parent and another who all equally expressed concern having heard it from her .. before she said it directly to me one day.

She said she was “concerned” about this boy who was cursing, and she had told the school. She had reported him to the teacher.

I personally believe it’s now up to all involved to rectify it all. It’s really none of my business and I don’t appreciate being dragged into a conversation about it.

Now here’s the thing. I asked her how her daughter felt about it, and she fumbled an answer that her daughter was fine.

So here is where I think she’s out of line. If her daughter is otherwise fine then why is she blowing this up? I feel like she is trying to smear this poor boy (and throwing shade at his parents) through her righteousness because, yes technically she is right and he shouldn’t be cursing.

If she has informed her own daughter that bad language is unacceptable and her daughter is otherwise fine, then why has she gone on about this for months?

I personally think issues like this should be kept private between the parents of the children in question and the teachers.

It feels like she is trying to smear this boy for his bad behaviour and I can’t help but thinking how young they are and kids make mistakes and still have a lot to learn.

Also other parents are now talking about this “bad boy” in this class, who is only 5 years old. To think that he might not get invited to play dates now because this sanctimonious, perfect mother has told everyone about him. He is otherwise a good kid.

Should I talk to the teacher about her? Are there guidelines for parents gossiping about kids, and getting overly involved, does anyone know? I’m new to all this!

Am I being unreasonable ?

OP posts:
ChillyB · 13/01/2025 17:07

If you don’t parent your children people quickly realise and will talk about it because it won’t just be one child who is affected.

They will take steps to ensure their children don’t start copying behaviour or end up harmed etc because that is within their control - the behaviour of the other parent and their child is not.

ThisUsernameIsNowTaken · 13/01/2025 16:58

I wouldn't gossip about it, but I do discourage friendships with children like that because it's very clear that they have learnt this language (and often: accompanying behaviour) at home.

housethatbuiltme · 13/01/2025 16:57

Define 'cursing'? one of my nana use to say 'bloody' was a swear word while the other insisted it absoloutly was not. I grew up to know 'fart' to be a swear word equal to 'shit' but others don't feel so and its even on kids TV and in books now. Some think 'hell' or 'damn' is cursing and I frankly couldn't care less.

Also a lot of 5 years old have speech issues, all 3 of mine where under SALT at that age and seemingly half their class was. My youngest will often loudly yell 'Cock' before proudly showing you what pattern is on her socks today because she can't talk well and can't say 'sss'.

VelvetFuzzy · 13/01/2025 16:50

Tittat50 · 13/01/2025 16:19

@UpTheLoobyLooTree I doubt it. Come on. Jumping to abuse because of swearing is a stretch and some. Even if the parents are shouting cunt all day long, even this is no sign they're abusive.

It could be neglect in respect that they may not be disciplining their son to stop swearing. But then again if this was part of a picture of neglect I am guessing there would be other signs? It's more likely the kid has heard casual swearing from somewhere. Maybe an older sibling or even television?

mikado1 · 13/01/2025 16:48

We had a child like this move in nearby and his older siblings thought it was great fun to get him to swear. By 5 he was asking other children at parties if they knew what c-u-n-t spelled... you think it's judgemental but people are allowed to decide what they want their own children exposed to/to repeat. His parents were asked by a number of others to help him with his behaviour, he was also v rough and often hurt other children, but they eyerolled and said it was kids being kids and there was two of them in it etc. He's now not invited to parties etc because the kids themselves are fed up of it. Ive always been decent to him, even when asking him to stop but it got to the stage where at 7 if you made eye contact with him driving past, he'd stick the middle finger up. As I say, people are allowed decide what behaviour they're not prepared to accept. As it happens I discussed with one person, completely outside of the situation, so I'm not the gate gossiper but I do understand people not liking it. Hopefully this child's parents will guide him a little on this as minimising and enabling definitely doesn't work. Despite it all, I feel sad to see this child now with no one to play with etc.

Tillow4ever · 13/01/2025 16:35

TooManyChristmasCards · 13/01/2025 16:32

As she's not making anything up, she's not spreading anything around the school... every other parent know. Kids talk.

Some parents care, some parents won't. Most will try to stay away from the 2 dramatic parents

she wants to make sure it’s known that boy is not welcome at her darling child’s school. no one actually cares.

No one will actually care either for the OP going round the playground telling everyone how awful the other mother is.

Playgrounds are for the kids, not for the adults.

You do know it’s possible to spread the truth? It doesn’t have to be made up for it to be spread around. There’s no need for her to do it and put herself in the middle.

other children may or may not tell their parents, that’s on them.

this poster wasn’t intending to talk about the other mother, she asked if she should speak to the school as the poor lad could find himself with no friends as a result of this, especially if the mother is one of the popular ones that everyone wants to stay friends with!

Inkyblue123 · 13/01/2025 16:32

I think you have too much time on your hands. There will be plenty parents at the school gate who you wouldn’t chose to be friends with, if she irritates you just avoid her. Why do you care what she says? Why have you invested in this ? Just mind you business , stay out of it

Whydoeseveryonewanttoargue · 13/01/2025 16:32

TheClawDecides · 13/01/2025 16:24

They left mine on the doorstep and it disappeared! 📦 😁

You are too good!!!!!

TooManyChristmasCards · 13/01/2025 16:32

Tillow4ever · 13/01/2025 16:14

Well the fact I have no idea who this kid is, and my kids are a little older now, kind of stops me in this SPECIFIC situation.

However I have maintained a policy of not choosing my children’s friends for them - and sometimes the friends that have come home haven’t been the most popular kid at school, but I cares? Not me. Not my kid. As long as the child doesn’t hurt my child, and is respectful of my house rules, there are no issues.

The OP was asking about a mother basically making damn sure EVERY parent KNOWS that kid is “bad news” because he swears. She didn’t take her concerns to the actual parent or just to the teacher - no, she chose to be a bully and spread it around at school. She doesn’t care about the kid getting help, she wants to make sure it’s known that boy is not welcome at her darling child’s school. Make his school life so unhappy the family ends up having to change schools. It’s horrible behaviour and OP is right to call her out.

As she's not making anything up, she's not spreading anything around the school... every other parent know. Kids talk.

Some parents care, some parents won't. Most will try to stay away from the 2 dramatic parents

she wants to make sure it’s known that boy is not welcome at her darling child’s school. no one actually cares.

No one will actually care either for the OP going round the playground telling everyone how awful the other mother is.

Playgrounds are for the kids, not for the adults.

TheClawDecides · 13/01/2025 16:24

Whydoeseveryonewanttoargue · 13/01/2025 16:20

Damn. I forgot to order my magic wand from Amazon again. (Sorry but this was too awesome to ignore TheClawDecides) 😂😂😂

They left mine on the doorstep and it disappeared! 📦 😁

Moglet4 · 13/01/2025 16:24

motheroffour1980 · 13/01/2025 14:23

Nope, it’s not my child here. I just feel for this lad and care to call out the culture of Perfect Sanctimonious Mums, and I hope their children never utter a curse in their whole life if that’s the level of judgement they will receive, ostracised from parties, etc.

Has he actually been ostracised? If he has, then his parents need to make sure his behaviour improves. You also don’t need to be a Perfect Sanctimonious Mum, just a good one, to not want your child around a five year old who won’t stop swearing.

Whydoeseveryonewanttoargue · 13/01/2025 16:20

TheClawDecides · 13/01/2025 15:55

this would give the poor child chance to repair and remedy his behaviour so of course he would still be invited.

And what if Amazon have run out of magic wands?

Or do you think a complaint from you personally is enough to magically repair and remedy this child's behaviour?

When it's not magically repaired and remedied, would you still be happy to invite a child to your DC's party, who uses swearwords like 'slut', 'bitch' and 'whore'?

Damn. I forgot to order my magic wand from Amazon again. (Sorry but this was too awesome to ignore TheClawDecides) 😂😂😂

Tittat50 · 13/01/2025 16:19

@UpTheLoobyLooTree I doubt it. Come on. Jumping to abuse because of swearing is a stretch and some. Even if the parents are shouting cunt all day long, even this is no sign they're abusive.

TheClawDecides · 13/01/2025 16:18

EffortlesslyInelegant · 13/01/2025 16:12

As a matter of interest OP is this the same woman you were railing about last year?

This made me curious enough to AS.

Bit of an eye-opener but fairly similar story, where the OP appears to be wearing a halo, and another woman is a big ol' meany.

UpTheLoobyLooTree · 13/01/2025 16:16

A 5-year-old who swears constantly is a potential safeguarding worry. There must have been so many threads here over the years by parents who want to know if they WBU to report it to school so they can take a closer look. I don't see that a mum comparing experiences and canvassing opinion in person is that different tbh. But having reported it, she should pipe down and let the process play out instead of whipping up support from villagers with pitchforks etc. It's hard to be sure from the OP which is happening.

Tillow4ever · 13/01/2025 16:14

TooManyChristmasCards · 13/01/2025 15:51

no one is stopping you, and no one is stopping the OP!

One mother has an opinion and a reaction, you have another entirely different way of handling it. It's a free country.

The OP should't drag a teacher into it, they really have better things to do.

Well the fact I have no idea who this kid is, and my kids are a little older now, kind of stops me in this SPECIFIC situation.

However I have maintained a policy of not choosing my children’s friends for them - and sometimes the friends that have come home haven’t been the most popular kid at school, but I cares? Not me. Not my kid. As long as the child doesn’t hurt my child, and is respectful of my house rules, there are no issues.

The OP was asking about a mother basically making damn sure EVERY parent KNOWS that kid is “bad news” because he swears. She didn’t take her concerns to the actual parent or just to the teacher - no, she chose to be a bully and spread it around at school. She doesn’t care about the kid getting help, she wants to make sure it’s known that boy is not welcome at her darling child’s school. Make his school life so unhappy the family ends up having to change schools. It’s horrible behaviour and OP is right to call her out.

EffortlesslyInelegant · 13/01/2025 16:12

As a matter of interest OP is this the same woman you were railing about last year?

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/01/2025 16:09

Not swearing aged 5 is perfection? Blimey.

Tittat50 · 13/01/2025 16:08

It is absolutely true to all doubting it that popping out random swear words is a thing for many kids who are Autistic, ADHD and Tourettes.

No it's not naughty kid syndrome. Let's remember these are words. They are just words. It takes a good understanding of societal impact to know that these words have huge implications coming out your mouth. Understanding social nuances takes longer for most kids with ND differences. That's why this can be a thing at a younger age.

Through experience and observing the very strong reactions, most will learn a bit later than NT kids that it's best to try keep a lid on the F bombs 🤣. Not always achievable if one has tourettes.

I met this great kid on holiday with my son. Really funny and great parents, good values etc. The boy just said, is that person a bit of a cunt? I was in hysterics. But I can see how funny that was without clutching my pearls and crumbling in pieces that the world's going to end. That's what the gossip, probably unintelligent mum in this scenario is doing. And some on here.

In this scenario on holiday, I said to my son, you don't want to copy that word mate because that one makes people upset and shocked and will lead to people rejecting you and worse. I'll also feel very embarrassed and will keep you home.

Simple, end of.

I told the kid, that's a real bad word so best you don't say that again. 🤣He didn't in our presence.

ColinOfficeTrolley · 13/01/2025 16:08

The cancel culture friendly parents are only happy to pounce on poor kids making mistakes and banish them to an island far away

Again with the dramatics 🙄

Caiti19 · 13/01/2025 16:08

100% agree, OP. Well done on recognising this crap for what it is i.e. grown women bullying a child. What that woman is doing in discussing the child in question in a Whatsapp group with other Mums is appalling. I'd respond in the group with something like "It doesn't feel appropriate to discuss any 5 year old's (or however old he is) childish transgressions in a Whatsapp group. I think we should raise any concerns with the school for the principal to deal with."

Would these women be fine if their daughters had a Whatsapp group in which they discussed one of their peers at length?

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing”.

Lorelei22 · 13/01/2025 16:08

You are right. Spreading a reputation like that about a 5 year old is very wrong. Horrendous person.

oakleaffy · 13/01/2025 16:06

SelectedStories · 13/01/2025 16:02

DS was a nativity sheep with a comedy punchline in Reception, and he got so cross every time he got a laugh he used to stamp his tiny sheep-costumed foot. Which got another laugh.

Oh that would have been soo cuuuute!
I loved the Reception Christmas Plays 🥰

StopStartStop · 13/01/2025 16:04

People keep telling you about this. Is it your ds who is swearing? If so, ask him not to do it in front of other people.

TiggyTomCat · 13/01/2025 16:03

motheroffour1980 · 13/01/2025 16:01

Yes of course it’s their battle. They have no idea their child is being gossiped about like this by the same mum.

Well perhaps you need to enlighten them rather than making it your battle.