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AIBU?

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Original poster

Do you need to make friends with reception parents .?

53 replies

overtinkerbell07 · Yesterday 21:52

My son has just started Reception, and I’m wondering how important it is for parents to get to know the other mums/dads.
I’m 26 and quite shy, so I sometimes feel a bit awkward around the other parents. We all wait outside the classroom and I usually just smile or say hello. Some parents don’t really respond, and sometimes I get the impression that people are looking at me or judging me, although I might just be overthinking it.
Does making friends with other parents actually make a difference to children’s friendships, settling into school or arranging playdates? Or is it completely fine to just be polite and let the children make their own friendships naturally?
Should I make more effort to get to know the other parents, or just leave things to happen naturally?

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · Yesterday 22:01

It’s useful to be friendly with the people your child plays with so you can arrange play dates etc with them. You don’t have to be actual friends with them though. My kids are 9 and 12 and I’m friends with 2 school parents but they’re also neighbours. I’m friendly with a few others (have their numbers etc) but we only contact each other about the kids.

CurlewKate · Yesterday 21:59

What do you think they are judging you for?

CurlewKate · Yesterday 21:58

Well, having friends make it a much nicer experience. And selfishly, it gives you a group of people to ask for help if you need someone to pick your child up, and to take up the slack in an emergency. And more people to have coffee with is a good thing. Just be open and friendly and see what happens.