To be annoyed with Brown Owl???

[Hoppinggreen]

DD has been going to Brownies since leaving Rainbows and really enjoys it.
She is due to leave Brownies and move up to Guides soon but as it will clash with another activity she has decided to do that instead and not do Guides.
This hasn't gone down well with Brown Owl at all, she keeps asking are we sure and would DD like to see if she can find another Guide pack in another part of town that would take her and doesn't clash with the other activity.
I have repeatedly explained the situation but each week Brown owl keeps "checking" Tonight I got a speech about what a shame it was that DD wasn't going to Guides ( again!!)
DD has also grown out of her Brownie trousers, she has ALWAYS been in full uniform but I think it's daft to pay for a pair of new ones for another 5 or so weeks. DD wears a Brownie Tshirt and hoodie but with jeans. This evening she had to stand up in front of the whole group and explain to them ALL why she wasn't in full uniform, DD is quite shy and found this very embarrassing, especially since some people were in Children in Need fancy dress!!
I appreciate all that the volunteers who run Brownies do and think they do a great job but the way I feel at the moment I'm considering withdrawing DD now rather than letting her continue until Xmas - AIBU??

Wow, we got to 23 messages on AIBU without someone getting bitchy.
Some sort of record??

Comes from a family of Brown Owls?! OMG

Sorry if I came across as bitchy! It's me Irritable Owl Syndrome playing up.

Yes, her mum is in her late 70's and was Brown Owl before her ( mum still comes to meetings - she's even more abrasive!!)

Not you Raven

Previous brownie leader here - I was ready to come on and defend the brown owl but she sounds like a cow!

Huh, if your child was hoping to continue, or to pick it up again if the other activity ends, THAT incident would have put her right off, I would think. I would make a formal complaint.

I dont think YABU in this case, I help out with a guide pack in a less well off area and not everyone can afford to keep buying new uniform if their children grow a lot, especially just before they leave. Im actually suprised she doesnt have second hand clothing your dd could borrow, or buy at a cheap price, that would be more normal.

I can see the enthusiasm for trying to get your dd into a new pack as just trying to be helpful, but I can also see that it might be irritating by this point. Perhaps you could ask her for a list of the other guide packs in the area in case your dd changes her mind as it might make her stop asking, and in case your dd does change her mind, although it does sound like she wont

I know your dd doesnt want you to say anything, but maybe a quick word when someone drops her off next time, to point out thatyou cant buy trousers for just 5 weeks and you are a bit suprised its a problem given she wasnt the only one not in uniform? I do hate it when adults humiliate children for decisions that are frequently out of their control, really she should have spoken to you about it not your dd, and certainly not in front of everyone like that

If it wasn't an activity where full uniform is required, Brown Owl is well out of order.

DD enjoyed Brownies but didn't want more of the same. She moved on to Scouts and loved it. Worth considering.

The only thing I would suggest is that jeans are frowned upon by some leaders as being too casual etc, does she have any trousers she could go in instead?

Although it did get told very definitely that jeans were just for old people by one of our girls the other week! As I practically live in them I think that officially makes me old!

What Buckskinned said: have DD learn the rule in case BO pulls this again. Guiding will have then taught her a bit of how to defend herself against that particular sort of bully.

Want to get my son in Scouts, but every local group is full and has waiting lists. We live in Glasgow 1 which I figured was the first in Glasgow. But no, it's the first EVER and unless your Great-great-great Grandpa was a Scout under Lord Baden-Powell himself, and your name's been down since your dad was in, forget it. No, not even if your parents will commit to a lifetime of volunteer assistance.

I'd ask Brown Owl if she has any larger sized leggings/trousers your DD could borrow for the last few weeks.

I'm a Rainbows leader, and have a stash of 2nd hand uniform in my cupboard that is available for those who don't want/can't afford to get new uniform for their girls. They can have it for the duration, in exchange for a small donation to unit funds (£2-£5 usually). The Brownie pack that follows my Rainbows does the same.

I'm a Brown Owl and I certainly wouldn't make a child explain to everyone why she wasn't wearing her trousers. I might hope that the responsible adult who brought her to the meeting would have the courtesy to mention it to me when she was dropped off though. I'm well aware that the uniform is an extra expense and that not everyone can afford it, or doesn't want to fork out if they won't get the use out of it. I suggest to my girls that their school trousers/skirt are a suitable alternative.

I would email your Brown Owl and tell her the situation, regardless of whether your DD wants you to or not. I'm sure she'd understand if it was explained. Without explanation it just looks as though this child felt like wearing her jeans today and before you know it half the unit are wearing jeans and pink t-shirts!