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Parent lying or dramatising my son pushing her son.

58 replies

confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 10:37

Long winded to avoid drip feeding so sorry. My son is 5 and very close friends with another boy in his other year 1 class, practically best friends. But for whatever reason, the boy’s mother doesn’t like me. I have tried to be friends with her and hang out, and she would say that we should, but I’d never hear anything of it. And she barley smiles at me at school or talks to me yet talks to the other mums happily although I try my best, so have just given up.

After school they had gone to the park together once or twice with a few other mums at the beginning of reception/preschool and that’s it. We exchanged numbers at the beginning of reception and I had asked our kids to meet up in summer this year, and she told me she would let me know and asked how my summer was going. I responded and asked about hers, to no reply so just left it and stopped trying since.

Since starting year 1 she told me that my son exposed himself to her son according to him and told me this in front of the other mums, so I was in shock and apologised in front of everyone and said I’d address it. I spoke to the school to find out what happened who told me that he pulled down his trousers slightly while sitting on the carpet to expose the back of his boxers and the kids were all laughing and being silly, the child included and that it wasn’t a situation that needed addressing so they didn’t tell me, and that the child didn’t tell them anything in way of a complaint either. (Nothing omitted, their exact words.)

I told my son to apologise anyway to the boy and to avoid awkwardness and no bad feelings with the mum considering they are good friends, which he did (and which made me think she 100% now had a reason to not like me anyway). I’m extremely painfully shy and non-confrontational and still felt a bit embarrassed about what happened in front of the mums but left it at that. My son and her son still play together and are best friends and talk in the playground at drop off and my son talks about him all the time positively, so unless I have been told otherwise, no issues since.

My son is quiet and shy like me which is why they get on as a lot of the other kids can be a bit more loud and boisterous and the mum has seen my son and her son interact in the playground fine and can see what my son is like. The next day after this happened she was incredibly overly smiley and nice to me which was odd and then back to awkward again the next day.

Then I get a message from her recently, telling me that she got a call from the school to say her son was pushed by another kid, banging his head and her son told her it was my son. So I apologise and said I’d get to the bottom of it. I ask the school via class messages why I wasn’t told about this, and they tell me that it was a clear accident and not on purpose so there was no need and dealt with in class. And they said when they spoke to the boy’s mum to inform her (they wouldn’t confirm the child’s name or her name but we know it who it was) they reiterated that it was a clear accident and that she was fully made aware of that because ‘we’ (the teachers) knew that.

So then I message the mum to tell her that the school informed me it was an accident which is why I wasn’t informed, but that regardless I have told my son to be more careful and apologise. She replies to say, ‘aha oh, I was told by teacher (different race teacher) that my son was pushed. Glad to know it was an accident.’ So either she’s dramatised this on purpose or the school are lying which I obviously doubt.

I’d have felt weird telling her what the school told me to call out her lie, and clearly she doesn’t like me hence stirring things up. I’ve invited her to my sons class party in month which also makes things awkward. But now I don’t know how to navigate seeing her at school, thinking to steer clear and have no idea why she keeps doing these things or clearly has an issue with me or my son.

OP posts:
BadgernTheGarden · 26/09/2025 10:43

They are five years old things happen. She may be a very anxious mother or a bit odd. None of it will matter in a few years time, just invite her son the same as everyone else. If you can have a word say how nice it is your sons are friends and leave it at that.

Dearodearo · 26/09/2025 10:46

Just be civil if you have to speak to her and aside from that don't speak to her. People like her like creating problems

Last year a school mum posted on social media asking who my friends child was, as he was bullying her son.

My friend immediately got in touch and when asked what was goinf on the school mum said she didn't k know as she hadn't spoken to her son properly yet 🤦‍♀️

Some people just live creating a drama out of nothing

Ilovemychocolate · 26/09/2025 10:46

Besides the point, but what’s the relevance of the teacher “being a different race”?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 10:47

BadgernTheGarden · 26/09/2025 10:43

They are five years old things happen. She may be a very anxious mother or a bit odd. None of it will matter in a few years time, just invite her son the same as everyone else. If you can have a word say how nice it is your sons are friends and leave it at that.

Perhaps. But I found it odd her acting as if she had no idea it was an accident. Because she replied “aha oh I’m confused because teacher (of different race) told me child was pushed.” So she’s made it seem like this was all news to her about it being an accident which I’ve found strange. Maybe she’s just overly anxious I suppose?

OP posts:
Ilovemychocolate · 26/09/2025 10:50

I’ll ask again!
What has the teachers race got to do with anything?

Dearodearo · 26/09/2025 10:51

Ilovemychocolate · 26/09/2025 10:50

I’ll ask again!
What has the teachers race got to do with anything?

I'm reading it as it's the school mum mentioned the teachers race, not OP just randomly mentioning it

confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 10:54

Because she initially told me that teacher (didn’t specify anything else), had called her told tell her that her child was pushed by my son. The only teacher for year 1 is a particular race.

So when I told her that I was informed it was an accident by the teacher she then had to clarify that it was a different race teacher who told her that her child was pushed, to I guess explain why I was told it was an accident and why she messaged me as if she was backtracking or still confused.

But the teacher had informed me that they made it clear to her it was an accident and not on purpose as ‘we knew it was’. Their words. She was the one who clarified the race part. I guess that’s why.

OP posts:
LlamaNoDrama · 26/09/2025 10:55

I read it the same as @Dearodearo

i would just ignore her messages in future op. You don't owe her anything and she sounds like a nightmare. Nip it in the bud now.

confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 10:59

Ilovemychocolate · 26/09/2025 10:46

Besides the point, but what’s the relevance of the teacher “being a different race”?

Because she initially told me that teacher (didn’t specify anything else), had called her told tell her that her child was pushed by my son. The only teacher for year 1 is a particular race.

So when I told her that I was informed it was an accident by the teacher she then had to clarify that it was a different race teacher who told her that her child was pushed, to I guess explain why I was told it was an accident and why she messaged me as if she was backtracking or still confused.

But the teacher had informed me that they made it clear to her it was an accident and not on purpose as ‘we knew it was’. Their words. She was the one who clarified the race part. I guess that’s why. (Sorry I don’t know how to delete my previous message just wanted to quote you to explain.)

OP posts:
Ilovemychocolate · 26/09/2025 11:00

Got it!
So I’d back well off from her, she sounds awful, don’t respond to any more messages, if she complains to you in person, tell her to talk to the school.

LadyTable · 26/09/2025 11:03

You really need to separate two things here.

  1. Your child's friendships.
  2. Your friendships.

The kids are good friends, but why does that mean you and the other mum have to be?

Just back away from the mum and let the kids be friends in school. You have nothing more in common other than your 5 year olds attend the same school and like to play together.

Anything else, let the school deal with it and stop messaging her etc.

Mauvehoodie · 26/09/2025 11:16

I'd just leave it now and steer clear of the mum as much as possible. If anything else happens I'd not apologise to her in advance of finding out more info, just calmly say "OK, I'll speak to the teacher" and do that. She has twice accused your DS when he hasn't done anything wrong.

bitterexwife · 26/09/2025 11:17

Any more future messages “I’ll contact school. Thanks” and repeat.
Id have corrected her though on the ‘exposure’ thing… that was TOTALLY out of order

confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 11:36

LadyTable · 26/09/2025 11:03

You really need to separate two things here.

  1. Your child's friendships.
  2. Your friendships.

The kids are good friends, but why does that mean you and the other mum have to be?

Just back away from the mum and let the kids be friends in school. You have nothing more in common other than your 5 year olds attend the same school and like to play together.

Anything else, let the school deal with it and stop messaging her etc.

Oh I stopped messaging her a long time ago or trying to make effort. It’s just incredibly awkward at the school gates especially considering how close our kids are, and my son has repeatedly asked whether they can have a play date and that they want to, and I’ve had to just give excuses. He doesn’t have many close friends as he is shy, I’m incredibly shy and don’t hang at the gates much anyway but feel very bad.

I still keep it civil anyway, but I always await her messaging me about something new or stopping me with something or wondering why she doesn’t like me for our sons to play or might think badly of him, but I just ignore it. I’ve started to avoid her too which I’m finding annoying to have to do but ah well. As for the party she told me in front of the mums that the date was slap bang in the middle of the week (implying it was awkward for her.) So I don’t know if she’ll come anyway.

OP posts:
LadyTable · 26/09/2025 11:39

confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 11:36

Oh I stopped messaging her a long time ago or trying to make effort. It’s just incredibly awkward at the school gates especially considering how close our kids are, and my son has repeatedly asked whether they can have a play date and that they want to, and I’ve had to just give excuses. He doesn’t have many close friends as he is shy, I’m incredibly shy and don’t hang at the gates much anyway but feel very bad.

I still keep it civil anyway, but I always await her messaging me about something new or stopping me with something or wondering why she doesn’t like me for our sons to play or might think badly of him, but I just ignore it. I’ve started to avoid her too which I’m finding annoying to have to do but ah well. As for the party she told me in front of the mums that the date was slap bang in the middle of the week (implying it was awkward for her.) So I don’t know if she’ll come anyway.

It’s just incredibly awkward at the school gates especially considering how close our kids are, and my son has repeatedly asked whether they can have a play date and that they want to, and I’ve had to just give excuses.

Why are you giving excuses?

Just tell him whatever the truth is - that you've tried but his friend's mum says she's busy, or not replying to your texts, or whatever.

tripleginandtonic · 26/09/2025 11:39

Stop trying to get her to like you or to force the idea that the the boys are best friends. Just chill, things will work themselves out.

User987439 · 26/09/2025 11:43

I'm confused, what was the "lie" in the this situation? It seems like a very long story about your son pushing the other son and the issue is not whether it happened or not, but whether it was an accident or deliberate? Or the fact she claimed to have heard the story from a different teacher? If there are several members of staff around, it's quite possible she heard it from another one?

At 5 years old, kids push and shove each other the whole time, it's very hard to determine what is truly deliberate or accidental. Most cases of pushing are almost certainly deliberate but without malice so teachers prefer to call it an accident to avoid parents getting riled up. If two kids are friends and there was an incident of pushing then most mums won't even care and just write it off.

To be totally honest, the strange accusations and refusal of the other mum to really be friends may indicate she feels your son has behavioural or ND issues. Whether this is true or not, her voicing those specific concerns suggests she's trying to push the narrative in that direction. There's a mum at our school who is also acutely aware of other children's behaviour and picks on it very quickly. This includes inappropriate sexual or body related behaviour and hitting/pushing/shoving.

You seem to play down the incidents on the basis that the school thinks it's fine, however did he really just show "his boxers" or did he actually pull his pants down and flash his bum? It seems a very odd thing to do if you say he's a very quiet and shy child. That would make more sense for the class clown or a very extroverted kid. Same for pushing, which seems out of character for a shy and quiet child. Maybe the other mum has been hearing different things from her son or other parents in the class.

confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 11:45

LadyTable · 26/09/2025 11:39

It’s just incredibly awkward at the school gates especially considering how close our kids are, and my son has repeatedly asked whether they can have a play date and that they want to, and I’ve had to just give excuses.

Why are you giving excuses?

Just tell him whatever the truth is - that you've tried but his friend's mum says she's busy, or not replying to your texts, or whatever.

Sorry when I meant I gave excuses, those are the exact excuses I told him. That the mum is just busy ect.

OP posts:
AprilinPortugal · 26/09/2025 11:50

Ilovemychocolate · 26/09/2025 10:50

I’ll ask again!
What has the teachers race got to do with anything?

I'm imagining the other mum made reference to the race, not OP by the way it was worded

confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 11:50

User987439 · 26/09/2025 11:43

I'm confused, what was the "lie" in the this situation? It seems like a very long story about your son pushing the other son and the issue is not whether it happened or not, but whether it was an accident or deliberate? Or the fact she claimed to have heard the story from a different teacher? If there are several members of staff around, it's quite possible she heard it from another one?

At 5 years old, kids push and shove each other the whole time, it's very hard to determine what is truly deliberate or accidental. Most cases of pushing are almost certainly deliberate but without malice so teachers prefer to call it an accident to avoid parents getting riled up. If two kids are friends and there was an incident of pushing then most mums won't even care and just write it off.

To be totally honest, the strange accusations and refusal of the other mum to really be friends may indicate she feels your son has behavioural or ND issues. Whether this is true or not, her voicing those specific concerns suggests she's trying to push the narrative in that direction. There's a mum at our school who is also acutely aware of other children's behaviour and picks on it very quickly. This includes inappropriate sexual or body related behaviour and hitting/pushing/shoving.

You seem to play down the incidents on the basis that the school thinks it's fine, however did he really just show "his boxers" or did he actually pull his pants down and flash his bum? It seems a very odd thing to do if you say he's a very quiet and shy child. That would make more sense for the class clown or a very extroverted kid. Same for pushing, which seems out of character for a shy and quiet child. Maybe the other mum has been hearing different things from her son or other parents in the class.

Those are their words exactly. Not mine. “he pulled his school trousers down at the back slightly while sitting on the carpet and the kids including the boy were laughing as his boxers were partially showing, the kids all do silly things and were laughing and being silly and it wasn’t big situation.The boy hadn’t complained to us and we didn’t feel it needed addressing and they all stopped after I told them and we continued the class.”

I did deeply apologise to the mum and told my son to apologise and told him off, and didn’t try to clarify what the school had said because it would be a her son said, the school said and as an allegation with those wordings I didn’t want to come across like I was minimising the situation but clearly wasn’t informed about this.

The lie was her being told it was a clear accident (as the school saw it and saw “we knew” it was an accident). And her acting as if she wasn’t told that. Many times my son has been pushed by kids while playing and I’ve been informed for health and safety reasons, and not once have I thought to take it personally or message another mum.

Maybe she was rightly concerned but the whole thing seems a bit dramatised considering my son is quiet and gets on well with her son which she knows and watches them play together in the playground fine at drop off. If there were incidents that needed addressing the school always tell me if my son has done something they need to bring up.

OP posts:
CatHairEveryWhereNow · 26/09/2025 11:54

Stop aplogising for stuff your DS hasn't done - I suspect she one of those who see shyness as weakness and you apologizing is making that worse.

Just smile at her - and say no to son - he'll accept they'll only play in school. However if possible I would suggest outside grousp for your DS to build friends and socisl skills outside school - cubs is good option but sport groups ect also there.

If mother accuses your son of something else especially if in front of others stand your ground and say is this like last two times - when school ie the proffesionals in the room versions were very different and my son wasn't as fault like you implied ? I wouldn't get nasty just very calm and matter of fact.

Ignore any future texts or block her number - or say you have spoken to school and again their versions is very different to yours again.

Smile nodd and ignore as much as possible.

confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 12:03

tripleginandtonic · 26/09/2025 11:39

Stop trying to get her to like you or to force the idea that the the boys are best friends. Just chill, things will work themselves out.

Edited

I have no desire for her to like me. It’s more about the awkwardness and having to now actively avoid her at the gates considering our kids closeness and them being invited to his party. I don’t talk to the other mums much as I have to rush back for work and I’m shy, but do try to be civil and smile however towards her while she is there and smile at them while their mum friendship group has long chats.

OP posts:
Dearodearo · 26/09/2025 12:10

confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 12:03

I have no desire for her to like me. It’s more about the awkwardness and having to now actively avoid her at the gates considering our kids closeness and them being invited to his party. I don’t talk to the other mums much as I have to rush back for work and I’m shy, but do try to be civil and smile however towards her while she is there and smile at them while their mum friendship group has long chats.

Just stop looking at them 😅 it's only awkward because you feel awkward because their not returning your smiles.... so stop looking at her/them

If you feel that strongly about being awkward and having to avoid her then go into the school yard just a moment or so before the bell rings and that's less standing about for you

confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 12:22

Dearodearo · 26/09/2025 12:10

Just stop looking at them 😅 it's only awkward because you feel awkward because their not returning your smiles.... so stop looking at her/them

If you feel that strongly about being awkward and having to avoid her then go into the school yard just a moment or so before the bell rings and that's less standing about for you

Started doing that now! Either I still catch her and we may end up being early together or I wait a bit. All a bit dramatic and silly really having to do this, but I’m civil and try to smile at her anyway even if she doesn’t necessarily smile much back or look at me. Thank you.

OP posts:
confusedlady10 · 26/09/2025 12:27

CatHairEveryWhereNow · 26/09/2025 11:54

Stop aplogising for stuff your DS hasn't done - I suspect she one of those who see shyness as weakness and you apologizing is making that worse.

Just smile at her - and say no to son - he'll accept they'll only play in school. However if possible I would suggest outside grousp for your DS to build friends and socisl skills outside school - cubs is good option but sport groups ect also there.

If mother accuses your son of something else especially if in front of others stand your ground and say is this like last two times - when school ie the proffesionals in the room versions were very different and my son wasn't as fault like you implied ? I wouldn't get nasty just very calm and matter of fact.

Ignore any future texts or block her number - or say you have spoken to school and again their versions is very different to yours again.

Smile nodd and ignore as much as possible.

Ahh, no way I’d be able to say that. I have crippling anxiety and shyness and hate confrontation, so will just have to leave it at ‘I apologise if something has happened but will address it with the teacher’.

I’m a people pleaser and hate judgement and awkwardness. I just wish I could stand up for myself more and really need to for my DS. Was considering blocking her number but think if she has another issue she messages me about and can’t contact me, it will make things even more awkward especially as his party is coming up having to see her at the gates.

I really wish I wasn’t like this. I will just be civil, ignore her and smile when I see her and just keep my distance really. I do that anyway where possible. Thank you.

OP posts: