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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

to be angry about the headmaster's comments about my love life and officially challenge them?

395 replies

extremepie · 02/09/2014 20:36

Very long story but basically we are having some SS involvement at the moment due to issues surrounding exH, we split last year and he moved away so thus far I have been trying to rectify the issues mostly by myself.

I am having monthly meetings to discuss the issues with the SW and the headmaster of the school and he keeps making comments that I feel are inappropriate and irrelevant to what we are there to discuss and it makes me very uncomfortable.

I know why they might feel me being in a new relationship could be of concern but they had done all the relevant checks and there was no reason for them to worry but the headmaster keeps bringing it up! For example he has said things like:

'My staff noticed you had a love bite on your neck on xxx date'
'Your appearance on xxx date was dishevelled (implying that I had been having sex)'
'In my opinion xxx is more than a friend (this was after he questioned me about my relationship with someone who did go on to become my boyfriend but at the time was an ex work colleague and friend who was supporting me through my break up with my ex' - he was obviously saying that he didn't believe that we were just friends
'I'm concerned about how you meet new partners'

Obviously there were more comments like this and I can't remember them all, but the things he says to me just really don't seem pertinent to what we are discussing. I don't really know how to respond to him in the meetings in a way that is calm and measured rather than angry and defensive - I am getting more and more wound up about it because as far as I'm concerned it is none of his business!

He has also made a habit of being overly harsh and nasty to me in these meetings and on several occasions has made me cry with his comments but he will never do it if I have someone with me in the meetings, only when I am alone.

AIBU? Should I just accept that his invasive and personal questions are just par for the course when SS are involved or should I complain as I am really getting sick of it :(

OP posts:
Anotherchapter · 04/09/2014 10:53

If ss say 'you need to be in same room all the time' you say 'ok!' Weather it's practical or not just do it.

Have your bath/clean up when they are in bed. Don't come across as difficult

gobbynorthernbird · 04/09/2014 12:08

The thing is, OP, you seem to make excuse after excuse. When people do that, the stuff that is genuinely excusable gets lost amongst the stuff that isn't.
Your examples are cleaning the bathroom and waiting for a hospital appointment. The bathroom can be cleaned once the DC are in bed (if you can stay awake/they can stay asleep long enough to see a boyfriend, you have the time and energy to clean the loo). You have no choice about the hospital app, but if SS keep hearing why things aren't possible they won't look kindly on yet another excuse.

springydaffs · 04/09/2014 12:14

Yes! Be a yes-(wo)man. Whatever they suggest, say YES.

They have all the power, there is no place for dialogue - or, even, support eg don't chat to them about difficulties - "how do you expect me to do that?!" - because all they want to hear is that you are complying. In short, you are obedient. Think army.

They're on to you op. Copy them in to comms with eg hospital; discuss with them ways you can move the appt forward. Be unstintingly polite and amenable, open to all suggestions. Don't show any frustration.

Get the prescription for ADs, don't take them, get the renewal prescription, don't take them (or take them?) Etc. Say you value their advice on eg the ADs, that you value their advice and suggestions, they've been a real help.

Talk always about the kids, show that your focus is the kids in all things. Get involved in the community "for the kids' sake", volunteer at the school. Upstanding citizen!

Re your lovely family, miles away: would a move "for the sake of the kids" be possible?

EarthWindFire · 04/09/2014 12:22

Get the prescription for ADs, don't take them, get the renewal prescription, don't take them (or take them?) Etc.

Not sure that getting lots of scripts and not taking them is a good idea.Confused

When you see your GP be honest, say you don't want AD especially if you are 'ok' at the moment. They may have alternatives such as monitoring instead.

MiscellaneousAssortment · 04/09/2014 12:38

Your post is exactly what I mean though, you've lost sight of what happens if you don't do what they say, and you keep getting bogged down in he little things and it gives the impression that you are resisting doing what's been asked and finding complications and reasons to say no ... Take a step back and look at what's happening. They ask you to do something, you come up with a thousand reasons why you 'can't'. They write down 'she will not comply with requests given over a period of many months'.

It doesn't matter if it seems difficult, you don't get side tracked by telling them all the reasons you will not do what you've been asked to, you just do it! By all means whine about it afterwards and come on here to look for ways to do what they've asked. But you do it, and you tell them yes it's being done, and here are some examples.

Then when you do have a proper barrier, it sounds credible, ... Just like the other postr said. Not just one more 'no but' off the mother who refuses to do anything she's asked, and shows over and over again that complying for the sake of her children is less important to her than picking fault with the experts and avoiding any change.

Is it fair? No, not especially. But which battle do you want to fight here?

This is why you need to get an advocate who knows the system, so that you can check for any issues, but don't get distracted by this. The most important thing is complying with ss to make your children safe and not deprive them of their mum.

extremepie · 04/09/2014 12:39

Springy, as lovely as my family are I won't move back to where they live, I moved away from there for a reason :/

OP posts:
Tittifilarious · 04/09/2014 12:50

Oh OP, I feel like you need a massive hug. You've acknowledged you've made mistakes and are taking steps to put things right. You know there is an element of playing the game. Without being patronising, you are clearly able to articulate a point of view as I've had no trouble following your threads.

My concerns for you (and your children) are that over and over again you have expressed that people are against you, people make judgements about you (on MN and in RL) and that you really couldn't see the problem with posting personal details regarding SS issues along side a profile which identified you. I'm not suggesting you have MH issues - I'm not qualified to do so - but I do think there is clearly an issue with your perception. So many people on this thread have tried to offer help and support to you, explanations of why the HT may be asking the questions he is and you flipped that into people having a go and making judgements*. I can see, objectively, that that really wasn't the case and I do wonder whether you do that in RL - people trying to help, but you perceive it as an attack?

You definitely need an advocate - someone who is there for you and can have an objective view of whether others in the process are being unreasonable. If you take nothing else away from this thread, please follow that advice which has been given by many other posters. It's not an admission of failure to ask for help.

Good luck OP, I wish you well.

*I'm excluding some of the less constructive comments a few hundred posts in...

MiscellaneousAssortment · 04/09/2014 12:50

And with the things you genuinely are having issues with, you need to provide evidence of you trying really hard. For example the hospital appointment, it's not enough to say 'there's a long waiting list'. Provide dates and times of your phone calls (lots of them), and get him onto a cancellation list if that exists, ask your gp to write to the consultant to urge quickness, and generally do everything.

And with the bathroom example, move the detergents off the floor and put them away in a locked cupboard. Give ds toys/ a task to do whilst you're in the bathroom. Or as someone else has said, clean the toilet when the children are in bed.

Look, I do have sympathy for you, but you cant expect a good result if you say no to something on he grounds of these really small difficulties. I'm a single working mum who is also physically disabled. Believe me, I know things are hard!

Tittifilarious · 04/09/2014 12:53

Good advice there from Miscellenous

JudysPriest · 04/09/2014 13:04

"Generally I feel fine, obviously I get upset from time to time and my temper can be quite short but that isn't the same as a MH problem,"

"Right now that is the only way I can keep from breaking down and crying in front of my dc's"

If you are this conflicting in what you're saying with the agencies trying to protect your children it's hardly surprising they're still involved 12 months down the line.

extremepie · 04/09/2014 13:34

I'm not on the verge of tears all the time Judy, only when I feel I am being attacked on a thread. Understandably, in that situation, I get a bit upset I am not a robot!

OP posts:
extremepie · 04/09/2014 13:35

And obviously you know everything there is to know about my situation and therefore completely understand why they would still be involved from this one thread and those specific comments? Ok....

OP posts:
mamalino · 04/09/2014 13:44

Seriously, you are doing yourself no favours with this thread. I'm surprised posters are still trying to help. Genuine question, are you this defensive in RL?

gobbynorthernbird · 04/09/2014 13:48

Well, they're not still involved because of something someone else did a year ago. If you don't want to be honest/go into detail, that's ok, but people will extrapolate.

EarthWindFire · 04/09/2014 13:51

OP you are coming across as quite aggressive as soon as someone says something you don't agree with. You really need to step back a bit.

extremepie · 04/09/2014 13:55

Or maybe you need to step back and realise the are hurtful and not constructive?

And yes Mama, if people are nasty to me in RL I do get defensive!

They can extrapolate all they like but then they should be prepared to draw conclusions which aren't accurate. Apparently I've said too much already so I don't think it would be wise to go into any more detail gobby.

OP posts:
extremepie · 04/09/2014 13:56

^That your comments are hurtful

OP posts:
gobbynorthernbird · 04/09/2014 14:00

You're right, you shouldn't give more detail. But you do need to be a bit more honest about your role in this situation, or it will not be resolved in your favour and we can't advise you.

EarthWindFire · 04/09/2014 14:09

If that is directed at me I have not been hurtful! I have given you constructive advise.

As I have said you get very defensive and tell people to fuck off when you don't agree with the advise people are giving.

Of course you don't have to agree with it, but getting defensive doesn't help.

redexpat · 04/09/2014 14:36

As others have said you are responding in a very (understandably) defensive manner. I feel as if you feel you have to defend yourself to everyone - headteacher, SS, mumsnet. Here's my tuppence worth (am student social worker in another country but no desire to work with children and families).

If the head brings things up which have been resolved, then just say that issue has been resolved. I would like to draw a line under it and move forward, as your mentioning it isn't helping the process.

For your own benefit I would write a list of everything you have done in order to put your children's needs first. No more relationships, given up job, cooperating with SS. These are all good things. Any time you put a new system in place (cleaning toilet when they are at school would be a good one) then write that down too. Take it to the next meeting. You can refer to it if need be, but knowing that you have it will help you feel more empowered.

Then write another list of what you feel you need help with. You say that you are exhausted from dealing with it all, and I dont think anyone would blame you for that. Can you get some relief fom SS? Ask them why it is taking so long? Can they follow it up? When are you likely to get it? Are there any alternative charities that could help? Asking questions shows you are taking an active part in the process and that you are willing to work with them for the benefit of your DCs.

I would also (if you've got the energy for it) try and find a support group for single parents, or parents of disabled children or whatever. Is there a sure start centre near you? Could you get some advice from them? Again, showing initiative shows that you want to do whats best for your DC. I would worry that you have no support network, what steps coould you take to get one? (MN local is not a bad place to start)

I hear what you say about hte goalposts being moved each time, but I think you could change the way you think about the whole process. Their goal isnt that you are unemployed and that your kids are surviving. Their goal is thriving kids in a functional one parent family. When they say do x, and then when you've done x do y, it's part of a process. They are giving you baby steps as part of a wider goal. Perhaps you could ask them what the overall goal is, and how they expect to get there, what your part in it will be and what they will do, and how they will measure that these goals have been met.

They need to document that these minigoals are being met. They cannot just take your word for it that you have no mental health problems. They need the word of a qualified professional. You are ill until discharged, not self discharged. Think of it from their POV what would happen if they closed a case on someone with MH problems because that person said they were fine, and they werent, and then they did something awful to their children. That is what they are avoiding.

I wonder if part of the problem is communication. Even on this thread you say one thing, and then when people respond, you say no I meant something else. I cant imagine how stressful it is to have SS involved, and I would probably get defensive too, but htey arent there to criticise, they are there to help. You dont always seem to understand how your behaviour can be interpreted by others. Do you get minutes of the meetings? If not I would request a copy of the file - although I dont know the UK law on how this would be done. You can take notes at meetings, and you can take another person with you too, which I think is a very good idea. If there is something in there that you dont understand then ask for clarification, adn write it down so that you can remember it later.

wannabestressfree · 04/09/2014 17:10

I stayed quiet after your 'my perfect life' comment but I have been following.
Your lack of insight is appalling and I am afraid will hinder you with social services. I am afraid the energy you are wasting on the conspiracy of ss etc would be better directed at your failings. Instead of targeting those you feel let your children down eg your ex you may need to address your own issues and provide stability. Ss don't persist for no reason.
I have in fact had a far from perfect life. Single mum, moving, child with mental health problems, dealing with social services but they were in no doubt where my priorities lay - and it wasn't with blokes.

Nancy66 · 04/09/2014 18:29

OP you are clearly super bright and very articulate but you're just not getting this and it reads like you have a persecution complex

It's highly unlikely that SS, the school, the nurse, the health visitor have all just taken against you for no reason. They're far too damn busy to be wasting their time.

They clearly think your parenting is lacking and that you are making poor decisions in your private life - the latter is certainly true.

You've said you are steering clear of relationships for a while. Great. Right call.

Now all you need to do is keep getting your kids to school on time, pick them up on time, keep them clean and well fed and address any health issues.

I do think the Head was a bit out of line in his questioning of you. But as you say you are content to be single for a while then it should no longer be an issue.

MiscellaneousAssortment · 04/09/2014 18:41

RedExpats advice about making lists is really good.

It would help you keep your eye on the goals, and also might help you see the good things you are doing. I wonder if you're actually doing alot of good things, but you're not giving yourself credit for them, and you're not communicating them to others due to the whole 'no but no but no' way of speaking about this?

Just a theory...

SlicedAndDiced · 04/09/2014 18:48

I'm sorry you are in this situation op.

I think sometimes the truth can be hard to hear, and it is much easier to believe that the person saying it must have some sort of grudge against you. I've certainly been guilty of it myself in the past.

The way I found to deal with it was to 'forget' my thoughts that they didn't like me and actually really listen to what they were saying, and take a good hard look at myself.

And funnily enough it turned out they were absolutely right, I wasn't helping myself and it was only me that could do something about it.

Once I'd done that I couldn't really make all the excuses anymore, I couldn't lie to myself anymore either or blame every man and his dog for what was going wrong.

It is amazing how quickly someone you think is being horrible will start to cut you some slack and help you when you stop being angry/ defensive and really start listening.

I hope you manage to sort all of this out op. good luck Flowers

Oh re: original op. I don't know obviously but my impression is that if this is being said in a meeting with a variety of professionals it must be relevant. But it may just be something you don't want to hear just yet.

KoalaKoo · 04/09/2014 19:51

Well, without the full picture we can't really comment, but surely no one can think of a situation in which soc svs would be justified in requiring a paremt to have children this age in her sight at all times. Really?? It just doesn't make sense and inhibits and restricts the children and is an invasion of the mothers privacy on the toilet for example.

Also, several posters have alluded to understanding why the Head would be justified in making the various comments about ops sex life. Perhaps I am way too naive, but whether or not you think love bites are tacky, I cannot think of any child protection issue, especially where the parent considered to be at fault is the ABSENT parent, where the head teachers observations had any relevance.

Op ,I really really think you need an advocate. Not just someone to speak up for you,but someone who can help you make sure you have understood what Soc svs are getting at.