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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to have called this woman ignorant?

56 replies

mumbar · 16/02/2011 21:07

DS has been to a party at a soft play. Food was included. It was booked out so about half the parents stayed for coffee in the cafe. This is next to the room where the children eat.

One Mum there whos DS is in the other Yr 2 class, very much a helicopter parent. Spent most of the party trying to deal with non-existant problems, mainly children swinging an arm or running within 3 feet of her DS. Rest of us just chatted.

The party Mum knows DS has allergies and that he can't eat ketchup due to ingredients. Also party host informed and she says they wouldn't offer it if it would be a danger to DS. Tell her its fine as long as he doen't eat it.

In the party room (35 children around a large table)and the party hosts (employed by soft play) are in the room whilst party childs Mum wanders between party room and cafe - the parents of DC's stayed in the cafe. Fairly loud in the room. Helicopter mum enters party room and goes around squirting ketchup onto the childrens plates saying 'who wants sauce' Gets to DS and asks and goes to squirt it (before he answers) and DS realising it is ketchup shouted said in a slightly panicky way 'no, no, I'm not allowed that'.

A little had already landed on the plate.

The Heli mum replies 'oh its a party I'm sure just this once will be fine'. DS says 'no, I'm allergic to it'.

Heli Mum says 'allergic?, what to ketchup?, Don't be silly you can't be allergic to it.' DS says he is and asks for a different plate and is told surely he can just eat the food and leave it and tells him to stop making a fuss. Shock

DS starts to cry and pushes the plate away. At this time the party childs Mum says to Heli Mum he is allergic and goes to get him a fresh plate. She comes to me and says DS is upset.

I ask why and before she says anything the helicopter Mum (seeing party mum talking to me) storms over and tells me 'oh its all over ketchup, he wouldn't eat his food with it on the plate, said he's allergic'.

He is I said.

Heli Mum starts saying 'well I didn't know, I've never heard of the allergy'

The party childs mum apologised saying she hadn't said anything to the mum as hadn't seen or heard her come in and help. I said not a problem, probably my fault for staying in the cafe.

Heli mum started saying 'well thats true, I can't believe you left DS and risked his health, you all just sat there talking, I was the only one who came to check on the children, anything could have happened'. We were about 3m away FFS and the party hosts employed by soft play were there with the DC's Grin

I told her she was clearly an ignorant woman and should keep out of things she doesn't understand'.

Party childs mum says she's never invting heli mum DS again as the heli mum was a PITA. Sad

Oh dear IWBU wasn't I? Just annoyed me that heli mum wouldn't allow any child near her precious DS but practically calls my DS a liar - becuase she's never heard of it. Angry

AIBU though to now feel I don't want to leave my DS in case theres similar parents out there? Sad

OP posts:
supersewer · 18/02/2011 12:16

yanbu- you have taught your child well - despite everything he refused to eat. Big applause and surely affirmation that he can be independant and not need his mum breathing down his neck when he's at a party.

Edinburghlass · 18/02/2011 16:52

Impressed that your son was so responsible. That must be encouraging for you. All I would say in defence of the other mother was that she had probably never heard of an allergy to ketchup (I haven't either) and she may have thought you don't allow ketchup at home but it would be OK if he wanted a bit at a party. Having said that I think she should have backed off when he made it clear he didn't want it - that bit does seem odd. Please don't take it out on her son though. It's not his fault.

SenoritaViva · 18/02/2011 17:00

YANBU. Your DS is clearly old enough now to know of his allergy and to not eat it so there was not need for you to be helli mum (number 2).

Helli mum sounds like a prat. Maybe she was trying to help with the ketchup but really, you should ask a kid before just assuming (I hated ketchup, no allergy but would have been seriously fucked off asked for it to be removed. Why do adults feel the need to judge children's tastes (and allergies!)

BristolJim · 18/02/2011 17:03

YABU.

Helimum was clearly only trying to help your child, and deserves praise for the tactful...

No, can't do it. The woman is clearly a loon. Don't let her near the scissors.

PrincessScrumpy · 18/02/2011 17:12

Just as well your ds was strong enough not to eat it - we struggle with 13 year olds at school eating chocolate from friends when they have major nut allergies!

I would only ever help at a party if I'd asked the host and if you are offering something like ketchup, listen to the kid - they can be fussy so may not like it.

DD is having a party like that tomorrow - will have to check for helimums.

mumbar · 18/02/2011 17:19

Thanks everyone.

I agree that it's unfair for heli mums DS not to be invited to parties. It was the party mum who said it but I'm sure that by next year there would have been 100 other things happen. Grin Plus they will be yr 3 so doubt any of them would even allow us to stay - even keeping out of the way for a coffee. Smile

I have spoken to the party mum for next week who is happy for me to leave DS still even with epi-pens. As I say shes a Dr so far more knowedgable even than I!!

I really don't think Helimum will ever do anything like it again with any child.

Hopefully she has had an education.

I'm really proud of DS for handling himself so well.

I have promised him a Mac D's tomorrow as a treat. (he is 6.6. though so its ok Wink)

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