I’ll give background so as not to drip feed. I’m married, have two DS, and have a professional career (part time). DS1 started school this year. We put a placement request in as most of his friends from nursery would be attending here and it was in an area we’re hoping to move into once I finish my study, DS2 is at school, and I can work full time and we can actually get a mortgage (renting at present).
My issues (and I know they’re very much my issues...)
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most of the parents are very friendly. I only knew one other mum from the nursery before school started, and she is popular (in a good way!) so always has other people to talk to at the school gates. I do try talking to others, but...
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these people are older than me (6+ years or more), and all stay in the nice local area. So I struggle to find common ground with them out with talking about the school. I also look younger than am I (not a stealth boast, this has been said to me basically every time someone finds out my actual age) and I get the impression sometimes that they think I’m young and daft, when actually I’m not, and I have a very difficult respectable career, but they’d never know because they don’t take the time to get to know me, IYSWIM?
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the area we stay in has a ‘bad’ name. Despite being literally along the road from the ‘good’ school area, I feel embarrassed to tell people we live there. The road we stay in is fine, lovely even, but as soon as you say ‘we live in X’, the faces that are made! We live here as it’s as close to the school as we can currently afford, and I wouldn’t be living here if it really was ‘bad’.
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I never know what to sodding wear!! This is an every day thing really-I’m 29 and struggling to dress, as I feel I’m too old for trendy things ( e.g the cropped top) stuff but not old enough for beige trousers. Or slummy enough to wear joggers on the school run. I usually wear jeans and converse, but recently bought Hunters (they are very practical, bought with birthday money I should say!) and black/white Nike trainers I’ve seen people wearing, as these seem to be popular.
I’m also heavier than I would like to be, and that’s probably having an impact-can’t wear/buy stuff I actually like till I lose the weight.
Then today was a classmates birthday party. The stress over what present to buy, what to wear, accessories, how to do my hair, make up etc. Then at the actual party I barely got to talk to parents as I have to chase DS2 around the soft play.
Why oh why am I being so ridiculous over wanting to make such a good impression on these parents? They’re all normal, nice people, yet I feel I have to ‘prove’ myself to them. Probably am just feeling insecure with the extra weight too.
I have the same issues at work though. It’s smart wear, and I struggle to balance professional/old clothes. And again I work with people who are older than me, and feel like I’m belittled. I find ways to bring up my actual age in conversation 
Please tell me I’m not the only looney?