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.

OP the poem is written distinctively...would you PM me or share the poem your relative wrote for your wedding? Or just look yourself? Is it as bad as the one you've just got?

I agree in not talking to her. I once worked for someone who received a poison pen letter about me. It was so horrible, describing where we worked as my "lair" things like that. It was from a woman who often came in and who I had chatted to in a friendly way. She clearly had a serious mental health problem, and she was rather frightening. I found it funny once I'd left, but at the time I was scared she might attack me. Your letter isn't the sort of thing a reasonable, kind, or stable person would write, therefore there is no point in trying to talk to her (if it is her, which sounds extremely likely) .whoever has written this is for the police to sort out, not you. It is a really horrible thing to do on any level, but even more so as it involves a small child.

Surely the police wouldn't pay her a visit without knowing it's definitely from her? How can you prove it? They're hardly going to faff with fingerprints for a "one off" letter. What are you realistically expecting them to do?
I'd just forget it.

has caused us all to be gone (from the poem)

Sounds like you are right about the playgroup woman.

She sounds completely nuts. She'll have had twee, picture postcard ideas of running the playgroup, but been rubbish at the reality including meeting appropriate standards. Given her response to you, I doubt she was able to respond appropriately to the governing body when they dealt with your complaint.

I think it's worth chatting with your local community officer. They might at least pop round and have a gentle word about the alarm caused by her creepy behaviour.

The other reason I'd want to mention it to the police, and sorry to be morbid, is that writing after all this time might be about tying up loose ends. Sometimes people do these things as part of planning suicide. Small likelihood, I know, but it would be enough for me to want to have someone check on her.

I would ignore it. It is appalling rubbish and whoever wrote it is pathetic. Feel sorry for them that they are reduced to such a level. That is your best response. The police won't be interested. Nothing they can do.

How creepy! Reading it knowing about the play group incident, yes it totally fits but why now, it must be over a year later? I would call the police, if nothing else I think they need to check on this lady's welfare.

If she is fine and well and 'just' being spiteful maybe MNers can help you write a reply poem??!!!

The Problem With Your Terrible Rhyme
You care not for my ears
You should have learnt through the years
To try to rhyme all your fears
It will just bring you tears

And you really should've oughta
Taken proper care of my daughter

MNers love a poem! But 1 crime against poetry is enough surely. Two wrongs and all that...

Two wrongs can make a right
If a poem is shite
I could go on all night
(Pours another glass of white)

That's red, surely.

SayThisOnlyOnce, have you been sending me malicious letters.....backs away slowly....

For poetry to be sublime
Takes more than finding words that rhyme
Your composition is seems so crass
Suggest you take an evening class
Or maybe join a club instead
To occupy your twisted head
From becoming even more obsessed
It's not a healthy interest
There surely must be something better
Than penning vicious poison letters
That certify you're off your rocker
You creepy fucking weirdo stalker

Meganorks I promise no
But once the bad rhymes flow
It is so hard to stop
Like a Pringles tube gone pop

Bravo Pictish. :)

pictish

Hahaha pictish!!! Gold!!

OP, she's a fucking loon.

I'd go to the police, not because I think they'd do anything necessarily, but to have the incident logged. (If they even do that).

Or, this woman might already be on their radar.

Do you have elderly neighbours that may have been irritated by loud noise. It reads like something an elderly person would write, comparing children of today etc,

Sounds like an elderly person wrote this " child of today", " bygone days". Have you got elderly neighbours that might be narked about noise or seen you let her get away with something that "wouldn't have happened in my day"?
I agree - totally odd thing to send and I would be really angry.

Sorry - didn't think first post had worked.

I'm sure the police will speak to her. She has your address and they need to assess what sort of threat she is. I can see why you were tempted to talk to her - with a rational argument it's easy to think 'I'll explain to her why this wasn't my 2yr old's fault'. But the thing is, you won't be able to make her understand or accept that, because she's clearly not of rational mind. Best to give her a wide berth and leave the police to warn her to leave you alone. Let us know what the police say please.

How did it go with the police, meganorks ?