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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To offer these trousers, or should I keep my nose out?

37 replies

OracleofDelphi · 07/05/2015 13:38

There is a lady who has 2 children at my DS school. I dont know her well, but she seems nice enough (hello as you pass on the school run etc). I think she is a single mum (never seen dad and know someone who knows her) just adding that so not drip feeding. Her DS is a really sweet little boy, but the last few times Ive seen him his school trousers are really badly ripped... They are ripped and in tatters at the back of the trouser at the bottom for about 3 inches and torn on the knees as well. The person I know who knows of her, says their impression is that she is quite hard up, and on her own.

Thing is, I have two pairs of school trousers that I bought on ebay second hand, that my son cant wear. He is really skinny at the waist and has to have the ones that are adjustable. The ones I bought arent adjustable so just fall off him without a belt.

So, my question is, AIBU to give these trousers to this other mum? If I knew her well enough I would bring it up in conversation "didn't fit mine, your S is same height , do you want them ?" kind of way. But I dont.... Im worried it might be perceived as pity or charity which she might be offended by?

OP posts:
Aermingers · 07/05/2015 17:46

School trousers are £3 at Asda. I find it very hard to believe she couldn't afford that if she wanted to. I don't believe the school wouldn't have offered support either. And they've basically told the OP this woman doesn't give a shit.

Aermingers · 07/05/2015 17:51

You can buy a pair of school trousers second hand for a quid. It took me two minutes to google that you can get help with school uniform costs from your council.

PrincessPilolevuofTONGA · 07/05/2015 17:57

Could you add a few other things to a bag of hand me downs so it's not quite so pointed? Then get chatting and mention a clear out and that you've got a few things that might fit her ds, would she like a rummage before you send them to the charity shop / jumble sale / recycling?

fiveacres · 07/05/2015 18:02

In agreement with Aermingers.

mummyonamission · 07/05/2015 18:04

Really? 'Someone's noticed and they're judging her'. Yes, well people do judge child neglect, it's illegal.

what an awful comment, see someone who might be struggling and let's kick them when there down.

Go for it, just say your having a clear out.

OracleofDelphi · 07/05/2015 18:09

Aermingers - just to clarify the school said "maybe she isnt bothered" Before I gave her the name of the child. So I could have been talking about 120 children for all they knew that are in my DS year. I didnt even say - there is a boy.... I just said a Child..... lots of girls wear trousers to school so it could have been any gender.

My OP wasn't AIBU to think this woman is neglecting her child... It was AIBU to offer them to her or would it be rude to assume she needed them..

Im sorry but I think neglect is a term that is bandied around far far too much... That is not to take away the horror, at all of what true neglect means. I dont think that SS are going to get involved with children whos mums take them to school every day, takes them to the park, participates in school activities - but whose sons trousers need replacing? or maybe I have no understanding of how SS work....

Personally I dont think its ideal, I think she might not be making the best choice, but Im not a single mum at 25 with two children, with no support - so who am I to judge?

OP posts:
mummyonamission · 07/05/2015 18:13

there are no safety nets in many cases. I have known children be refused a school lunch because the parent owes £20 and using food banks. It's hard to make a packed lunch when you are putting things together from a food bank. I've known children miss PE because their trainers have been gone missing and the parent needs time to find a second hand pair that fit. And these are nice areas, 'good schools' Maybe she doesn't drive and can't get asda, maybe she is waiting until pay day or maybe she just doing everything she can to feed them and get them to school everyday and ripped school trousers is down list.

OracleofDelphi · 07/05/2015 18:15

oh and well done for having internet to be able to google things to find out somewhere to buy things cheaply, and to find out the council can help with costs...

Again, some people dont have enough money for internet access, or iphones etc. Some people dont have the life skills to know who to ask for things or how to find things like this out. Some people are not confident enough to ask for help for fear of being judged....

OP posts:
CapnMurica · 07/05/2015 18:16

I think you need to reevaluate your definition of 'rags' tbh. Scraggy trousers is not rags.

Also, you are astonishingly naive if you think that it's easy to get uniform grants, even if you qualify (which most people probably don't). And I assume your local shops are never out of the right size when you go to get something? Ever? Or of course your charity shops are brimming over with school uniform in the right size.

OracleofDelphi · 07/05/2015 18:17

exactly mummy and like I said the OP wasnt - is she wrong for not giving him new trousers,.... It was Am i wrong to offer them. Thank you all for your ideas re school, suggesting they dont fit, saying does she know someone who needs them, putting them in with some other jumble bits to offer so not so pointed. Will try to catch her tomorrow

OP posts:
CapnMurica · 07/05/2015 18:22

Sorry Oracle that wasn't aimed at you!

OracleofDelphi · 07/05/2015 18:43

Thanks CapnMurcia !

OP posts:
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