To think this is a weird thing to do. And there is nothing I can do about it

[meganorks]

This might be more of a WWYD. Although I don't think there is anything I can.
Today I got a letter through the post containing a poem about my child. Basically saying I am a rubbish mother and she has caused pain and grief to others and that I don't care about her behavior. That's the summary. I have attached a photo so you can read for yourself. I don't know who has written it or what if anything I can do about it. I'm pretty sure the the implied accusations are not true. I should add that my daughter is nearly 4 not a teenager or something! So she is pretty much with me apart from when she is at nursery. I haven't been informed about any incident that might result in such an anonymous letter. So I wonder if it is just aimed at me? Although I didn't realise I had such enemies either.
So just wondered what other people would do if they got something like this? I thought I might report it to the police just in case it is something random that other people have been getting. Seems like a long shot, but it was addressed to me in my maiden name (got married less than a year ago) so wondered if it was maybe someone at a children's centre or something sending out horrible letters to people.

That's creepy. I'd go to the police!

Have you any older neighbours? Someone who hears her playing in the garden or outside?

Get it logged at the police just incase you're not the only one targeted. It could be a jigsaw piece for them.

I agree it sounds like an older person wrote it. Have any neighbours moved away recently? I would take it to the police too- it's really nasty.

You need to call the police. Whoever sent this is a lunatic.

No one who has stopped visiting. No older relatives I can think of. There is one family member on my husbands side who I thought of. Mostly because of the poem side - she wrote a poem in our wedding book. She is a bit outspoken and entitled. And a bit weird. And I think she got the hump with me over the wedding. We didn't invite her partner and kids (never met any of them and didn't invite any kids). She asked through someone else if her partner could come to the evening so I emailed her (as only contact I had) and said she could bring him along. I never got a response. Someone else told me he wasn't going to come as he was looking after the kids. But then he and kids turned up to pick her up (I didn't actually notice but someone told me later).

Anyway, regardless she is not someone we ever see. And my daughter has definitely not done anything to her or her kids.

Thats awful. I would definitely take a photocopy and take the original to the police.

Really creepy.

Do you have any curtain twitching neighbours who may have seen who posted it?

That is seriously weird!

If it's any consolation, there are some weird people out there and it's about them, not you. Husband was in town with our two primary age sons a couple of weeks ago - a woman walked up to DH and said "you need to teach those boys not to go so close to lone women as it's intimidating" - one of them was holding his hand at the time and the other was right next to him! God knows what was going through her mind but it bore no relation to reality.

Worrying though - I'm not usually one who'd suggest police as first option but there's something very unsettling about this.

I'd certainly discuss it with the Nursery. I don't think it's another parent as it sounds like an older person to me and putting it in a poem is really odd. I probably wouldn't go to the police but keep it in case you get another one.

Reckon pp is right. Older person. Do you have ex mil with axe to grind?

If it is a part of a larger jigsaw then there might well be fingerprints. It's very upsetting. What is the postmark on the envelope?

X post

Definitely not the MIL. Not very Mumsnet, but we really get on and she absolutely adores her grandchildren!

There is one family member on my husbands side who I thought of. Mostly because of the poem side - she wrote a poem in our wedding book. She is a bit outspoken and entitled. And a bit weird. And I think she got the hump with me over the wedding

Sounds like a winner! Would explain the use of your maiden name definitely!

I think your husband's relative sounds a bit odd. Are you going/have you been to a family wedding and taken your daughter with you? Could be her nose is out of joint because of that?!

And yes, the relative would know your maiden name wouldn't she?

I would not call the police. I had the police call on me because my child apparently said something "inappropriate". No further action was taken, but left me and my dad very shaken.
I knew immediately who had sent this;very strange neighbour of my father ,whom I'd told a thousand times to give a wide birth.
Keep the note and carry on regardless.
There are some sad little shits with nowt else to do with their time.
Kids are kids..they can be little shits, they are growing and learning.We don't all hail from the school off humous and carrot sticks..Boden frocks and wooden train sets. We all do our best.
I for one go with the flow but it doesn't win me many brownie points, yet my kid is amazing and I'm sure yours is too.xx

That is downright weird...
I would report to the police. Do you have an unhinged ex lurking in the background? Could the 'child' be referring to you??
Very strange indeed

Postmark the city I live in. Not sure that is very helpful. Although not the local term for mum used so maybe not someone originally from here. Father is on the scene - my husband. Haven't been any ex's for a loooong time so that is unlikely!

Does the weird relative live locally?

And yes, the relative would know your maiden name wouldn't she?

And also i think might use it deliberately in a pointed way. As in, when some older people call a younger adult missy or young man to put them in their place. Some also use the woman's maiden name to diminish their authority. (In their mind)

This is fucking hideous. How awful. The poem is also shite.

Very very odd. I would be freaked out and angry.