Did I do wrong?!

[Bonnie79]

DD 5 attends Rainbows. There are a number of units locally. Recently there was a big day trip which all the other units attended apart from ours. This isn’t the first time our unit hasn’t done fun days out. I absolutely get it is all volunteers. There’s a Halloween and Christmas party that all the others are doing and theatre trips apart from ours.

I decided that I would transfer DD to another unit. It is actually closer and on my non work day so is easier for me. Myself and another mum decided we would transfer as there is more going on, but I emailed first and took last space. The other mum seems off with me now and is saying she probably won’t transfer her DD. I don’t want to fall out with this mum as we get on really well, but it feels really awkward now and her response suggests she’s annoyed with me. Not sure how to respond?!

I think you're possibly reading too much into this. Surely her saying she won't transfer her child is common sense as there's no actual spaces left so she can't transfer her?

I expect she's just annoyed at herself that you got there first and it could have been her if she'd been more organized.

so rather than offer to help organise these things with the leaders, you just transfered your child?

I suppose I might have said to her there was only one space and seen if you could have waited to send them together, but it’s not a big deal! Perfectly reasonable to send your dd to the one that’s handier and has the things on

I solo parent and work 40 hours a week. I struggle to fit anything else in and have a 2 year old.

as was i with 2 children... when mine went to rainbows, it was a requirement for each parent to volunteer at least once a term.

fair enough but no need to judge.

Yes, of course. Why didn't the OP think of that? I mean, she's got all the time in the world to do that, hasn't she? What with the full time job and being a lone parent and having another child as well... she's got hours to spare to help the organisers organise things they should be doing already.

What a stupid comment

Of course she transferred. If she hadn't taken the space the other mum or someone else would have done

I don't think you did wrong at all, but I can see why the situation is awkward. I'd steer clear of 'rainbows' conversation until it's blown over if you can. If they are a friend worth keeping and putting in the effort for, maybe invite them for a playdate or plan a day out - something that says I value your friendship. After that, it's up to them whether they want to hold it against you.

Have you considered different rainbow groups may run thing ,s differently 🤔
My sister currently volunteers with her local Brownie group ,she doesn't have young kids ,but left her job as primary school teacher in the last couple of years and missed working with young children

Some groups might have more than enough volunteers.

The GG site said spaces so I just assumed there were a few. Oh well. What’s done is done.

You did nothing wrong. She can have the next space.

You're both adults, you both had equal opportunity, this is just life sometimes. If the other parent had emailed first she'd have had the space.

Big difference between organising events and volunteering once a month.

I doubt the op rocking up once a month would make that much difference.

The lack of events was definitely an issue why DD was bored being a Brownie. And more parents wouldn't help at all, her Brown Owl couldn't just be bothered.
We lost countless girls to the Cubs and the group closed down due to it's boring reputation.

I would stay away from Rainbow conversations for the moment, people may think the same as you but don't have the option to move.

There some seem to be a lot of disparity between the units.