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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To think Myleene Klass will win no friends with this...

500 replies

CarlaVeloso · 05/02/2015 11:46

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11391753/Myleene-Klass-Ill-be-collecting-unicorn-money-for-my-daughters-birthday.html

She has tweeted two emails from mothers at her daughter's school asking for cash donations for their children's birthday parties. She's changed their names but clearly they are still recognisable to anyone with children in that class and presumably the whole school will know about it nowthat it's been published in the papers and online.

I agree the emails are completely crass and I would privately think the same but they haven't committed any crime or sent her an expletive-filled rant about something. I opened it expecting to see a request for an actual kindle when they are just suggesting £10. Crass, vulgar, materialistic etc etc, yes, but I think her response (shaming them publicly) is really nasty and may not win her or her DD any friends at the school gate.

OP posts:
NormHonal · 05/02/2015 12:06

Whilst I'm a bit Shock that she's put this on social media, I do take my hat off to her for daring to voice what many of us would have wanted to say in that situation.

I have no doubt that she endures lots of "fake friends" on the school run and at fundraisers (quick, everyone suck up to the celebrity!) and this is her way of sticking two fingers up.

Bowlersarm · 05/02/2015 12:07

I agree OP. The school mums may be distasteful, but sneaking to the press because she can as she's a celeb - yuk, yuk.

FrChewieLouie · 05/02/2015 12:07

On the other hand, if she'd been the anonymous OP of a MN thread on this issue, everybody would have said she was NBU.

LadyLuck10 · 05/02/2015 12:07

Well she gets people talking openly about it now, and there are many many who hate this grabbiness so I can see it as a good thing.

molyholy · 05/02/2015 12:07

Ironic that her surname is Klass, considering she has none!

LMGTFY · 05/02/2015 12:08

Ah c'mon, who wouldn't have put it out there?? I'd have stuck it on Mumsnet!

emmaliz · 05/02/2015 12:08

I would prefer just to give a tenner so it wouldn't bother me at all. I think she's out of order

squoosh · 05/02/2015 12:09

'On the other hand, if she'd been the anonymous OP of a MN thread on this issue, everybody would have said she was NBU.'

I have no problem with her opinion on the grabbiness, I do think that publicising it was a stupid idea and could possibly impact on her child.

NoImSpartacus · 05/02/2015 12:09

MK is a dick so anything she does or says will annoy me.

DropYourSword · 05/02/2015 12:11

Did she actually 'run to the press' though, or did she just post on her own social media?

MuddhaOfSuburbia · 05/02/2015 12:12

honestly, the sort of school MC is going to be sending her dd to, I should think a tenner would be nothing

I'm guessing that if it's a state school it's going to be one with a 5 metre catchment and that stuffed with mansions

unless I'm completely wrong and she's at Grange Hill

curlyweasel · 05/02/2015 12:12

I've started telling DD that she needs to contribute to any presents from her pocket money if she wants to spend more than a fiver on someone. Is that mean?

I could feed my family for about 2/3 days on a tenner - there's now way some grabby fucker's getting my hard earned cash to pay for a present for their DC.

Ooh. I'm all wound up now.

MuddhaOfSuburbia · 05/02/2015 12:13

soz

MK

Hmm
squoosh · 05/02/2015 12:13

A celeb posting something like this on their own social media is the same as picking up the phone to the Daily Mail.

RachelWatts · 05/02/2015 12:13

What's wrong with asking for contributions towards a larger present? It seems much more sensible than getting 30 presents which you have to find room for and may not be played with as the recipient will be overwhelmed at the sheer number of gifts they've just received.

OK, asking for a suggested donation is a bit off. I rarely spend more than £5 on classmates birthday presents, but I don't see anything wrong with the basic idea.

noddyholder · 05/02/2015 12:14

Not keen on her but agree with her stance on this (not going to teh papers though!)

LayMeDown · 05/02/2015 12:16

Shameful to suggest money as an alternative for presents really?
Around here it's fairly standard to suggest that if people prefer a couple of € as an alternative would be much appreciated. My kids birthdays are around Christmas so I always put a note to that effect on the invitations. As they get so many toys from family/Santa that they like to save the money to buy themselves something big in the summer. Majority of people give €5 but a good few still give presents. I much prefer sticking €5 in a card, usually a lot cheaper than buying a present that will probably just clutter up someone's house. It is mainly all class parties as well so you end up with stacks of stuff.

MrsTawdry · 05/02/2015 12:16

She must feel bullet proof owing to her celebrity but that nasty tweet will simply alienate her.

PenterCarcs · 05/02/2015 12:16

I think it's very bad form of her to go to the papers. I think it's made her look like a twat. In the e mail it says no obligation form the parent, I'd not mind about giving money as a gift as I normally send a little gift card when kids get to a certain age anyway.

VivaLeBeaver · 05/02/2015 12:17

Wow. Can't believe that some mums are so grabby and thick skinned to put out such awful requests. If my dd wants a kindle then I buy her a kindle. I wouldn't expect her classmates to get her one.

Maybe the poor parents can't afford a kindle?

Sixgeese · 05/02/2015 12:17

I realise that I am in a minority but personally, I think the only thing the party hosts have done wrong is putting a suggested donation on the request.

After having piles of presents of multiple colouring books, dolls, craft kits etc after my 3 DC parties I wish I could ask for money instead that the DC could put towards something that wouldn't be wasted are regifted.

My DS's favourite gifts from school was when he got half presents from his friends and half money, the gifts weren't duplicated and wasted and yes he did have enough money to buy a kindle.

MrsTawdry · 05/02/2015 12:18

Six no I am with you and lets' face it...this is likely to be either a private school or a state school in a very well heeled area. The likelyhood of the parents not being able to afford a tenner is low...BUT though it's a crass requiest, MK beats them hands down with her response. SHe's made herself look awful!

SunnyBaudelaire · 05/02/2015 12:20

she doesn't need to make herself look any more awful does she? vile woman.

Itsgoingtoreindeer · 05/02/2015 12:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LayMeDown · 05/02/2015 12:22

I think collecting the money at school before the party is a bit much. Puts people under pressure. Can't understand need to collect it in advance?