To never, EVER do the school run again?

[thinkofthemoney]

First time on re school run today. Dd just started early years.
Was a bit surprised to find a parking spot right outside school but couldn't see any no parking signs and thought the gods were smiling on me.
I them proceeded to the playground where I felt like a leper! Despite it being first day all the other mums knew each other/ were arranging lifts to the birthday party of one of the little ones in my daughters class. Dd
Not invited but early days obviously.
And why did no one tell me you are supposed to 'dress up' for pick up? Was only mother without make up/ long boots/boden/north face body warmer.
Left the playground to find that the reason said parking space was empty is that the school bus parks directly opposite. My car was therefore stopping at least 10 other mums from getting out.
Cue slow clap from bus driver and lots of head shaking/stupid woman comments from other mums.
I was trying to explain to everyone that I had no idea the bus stopped there and there were no signs to say not to park amidst lots of sorries. These all fell on deaf ears as 'everyone knows not to park there'. Well not me obviously.
So, there goes any chance of social integration for me and dd.
Am I being U to send dh tomorrow?!!

My ds doesn't start school till next year, can't wait to see what all the fuss is about, often see these kinds of threads.
I don't understand why anyone gets in a lather about it to be honest. Fuck them, be yourself, dress how you want to dress. I'm not a tracky and no make up kind of gal but on the other hand I don't shop in Boden either, in fact I don't know anyone who does other than on here. However I do dress smart every day and wear make up. Can't wait to be the envy of all the Skanky mums .

Never apologize, never explain. Just smile broadly and maybe wave. Make a point of saying hello to everyone and commenting "What lovely boots!" to each and every one.

Am a seasoned playground disliker, plus live 43 steps from school so have seen all manner of parking and it,s really not a biggy about where you parked.

At least you didnt turn up naked and then punch the head mistress in the face/etcetc. (one of my reocurring dreams)

Before I even read your post, I knew from the title that yanbu. School runs are hell. Yours today was especially bad and I am sorry you have such image concious people in your playground (that one I am spared at least). It will get better, just turn up like yesterday never happened, most people are too involved in their own stuff anyway.

It will be fine honestly , they are all just bloody pleased that it was you today that did something stupid and not them , another day it will be one of them .

Go tomorrow drop your child off , smile if you feel like it and go home .

You happen to have given birth in the same year as them , it doesn't make you all connected in some way .

You might make some great friends over the years of doing this but more than likely you will make a couple of nodding acquantances (I can't spell that bloody word) and that will be it .

All will be well .

I don't know why people get so intimidated by the school playground. You are just taking your kids to school, then getting on with your day. Just be pleasant and friendly to anyone you see - you might make friends, you might not, who cares?

I look very smart on the school run, but mainly because I'm on my way to the office. I envy those mums in trackies with hay in their hair!!

Of course some people will already know each other, and there will be cliques. But I bet you aren't the only one who doesn't know anyone. And forget about the parking faux pas, everyone else will.

What a shame you had such a bad first experience, I have been doing the school run for 18 yrs. I have met some lovely people and some extremely spitefull ones.

Over the years I have done school runs to 6 different school, there is always a few funny groups,the bitchy ones, the dressed up ones, even at 8.30 in the morning.

Just be who you are, your Dd will probably let you know which mummies/daddies she wants you to be friends with.

Who gives a shite about what they think? I spend the school run (and waiting bit) hoping no one will come near me. Ive got one person I know there, if shes there we'll chat but otherwise I dont care for small talk with middle class mums who I have nothing in common with. Im tired, Im jiggling a baby whis usually ill, Ive got a to-do list the length of a donkeys do-dah when I get back and I cant be fucked to 'chit-chat' with women who I cant be arsed with.

OP, dont worry.

I am dreading the whole back to school thing, even though I park on a friend's drive opposite the school & have loads of good friends to chat to.

It's just tedious.

I'm sure it is just the first impression. It is utterly mad to dress up for the playground-I'm sure they can't all do it.
I take it that you are in a big city? I am used to people in the country who are quite likely to be walking the dog with mud and wellies or have been gardening or to the gym or have come straight from work and are dressed appropriately.
Just take your time and get to know people. Other people will have made the bus mistake.

Ignore them and smile - don't let it get to you (or don't let it show that it has) - eventually a nice mum will befriend you. The evil ones might not but you wouldn't want to be friends with them anyway!

As for dressing up - people dress for the day not the school run specifically I am sure. I personally wouldnt leave the house without make and hair done but other people dont give a fig and will go out with no make up, mad hair and pjs. Nothing wrong with that if you are comfortable. Wish I was tbh would save me loads of time.

Played it wrong, you should have cried out loud in front of everyone, held your face in your hands on your knees screaming 'WHY.... WHY ME!!!''

Sympathy vote works everytime, then again they would have thought you were like a total nut nut. Nah, you did alright, you'll be fine. Doll yourself up tomorrow and blow the driver a kiss

I've often thought the ones who dress up are probably on their way to work! Poor you though.

I also found parking strangely easy the first day i took DS1 to preschool because i was a week too early

Think about it differently in your mind.

Your goal is that your dd settles in well, is happy and is making friends. You DO NOT need to make friends with other mums in order for this to be achieved. Take your dd to school, wear what you damn please, smile/be polite to people and if you happen to make any friends along the way that's a bonus.

I just don't get this playground socialising thing. It's about the child not the parent. Anyone would think people didn't have friends before their child started school...

Blimey.
I started the school run 25 years ago.
It's sad to see that nothing's changed.

Can you report the driver-slow hand clap-funking wanker!

Have you got friends outside of school-they don´t sound bothering with tbh!

And if you ride-turn up in shitty jodphurs-it´s good enough for someone I know who´s related to Royalty!

But Dancergirl, if you're new to the area you might not have any friends that you can see that often.
That's why it's so hard.

Urge that sounds a really crappy experience, but I'm with the others.....go in tomorrow with your head held high, smile at a couple of the friendlier-looking ones, then see what happens. When ds started a new school we knew nobody and the first couple of days were daunting, but then he came out with an invitation to go to another little boys for tea. I went to speak to the mum, and she's since become the best friend I could have ever wished for. That was 10 years ago, god time flies.....

DS2 was sick on the floor on my first day on the school run with DS1. Compared with that you look slick. For the same reason I haven't even tried dressing up. Boden covered in baby sick and banana loses a certain something.

Good luck for tomorrow.

Wear whatever you want OP.

Today I wore fairly nice stuff on the school run cos I wanted to, and was off out to the shops. Tomorrow I may well wear some scruffy leggings and old trainers, if I am cleaning the bathroom before I pick DD up. Don't get sucked into making the school run the highlight of your day, or you will be VERY disappointed and a little sad!.

Bide your time, don't worry about joining cliques, chances are your DD will make lots of friends and be invited to so many parties it will do your head in! You will eventually get chatting to some decent people, and maybe even make a friend or two.

I live next to a primary school and seen some bad parking in my time..you've done no worse than some I've seen! Must admit, never noticed the parents all dressed up (I leave for work around the same time - takes me forever to leave) but I probably don't look that hard!

Backinthebox ...you got me curious, what job do you do!?

Yes backinthebox - what do you do? I'm also curious.

OP - try not to worry. How were you to know about the car parking? Bus driver was out of order. Surely everyone would know that you didn't realise not to park there

Things you did right:

• You got your DD to school on time.
• Your DD did not kick and scream and cling onto the lamp-posts.
• You were dressed in something other than pyjamas (right?).
• It was not heroes day at your lovely little CofE school and you therefore did not send your DD in dressed as the devil. I still find myself randomly snorting at the memory of that thread.

Honestly, the bus driver was an idiot, the other mums were busy and you will probably start finding good friends among them over the next few weeks. Don't bother dressing up if you don't want to!