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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I didn't like a 'tell-tale' when I was younger and I still don't

281 replies

LittleMonkeysWideAwake · 30/04/2018 09:08

Those kids that tell on the teacher all the time, or tell you off in a high and mighty way. I didn't like them as a kid, and I don't like them as adults now!

This morning another parent at sons school told me off for my inappropriate parking. I was of course in the wrong! And said so, and apologised. But I'm fuming inside!!! I can't stand busy- bodies who go out of their way to tell me off!

Grrrrrr

Just a rant!

Are you one of those parents? (and we're you one of those kids?) and why do you do it?

OP posts:
zzzzz · 30/04/2018 10:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
LittleMonkeysWideAwake · 30/04/2018 10:25

Thanks for explaining GertieMotherwell

OP posts:
TellyCushion · 30/04/2018 10:28

I'm with you, OP! I'm from Scotland, and I find it to be a particularly Southern English middle class woman thing to do. Such prigs!

NotUmbongoUnchained · 30/04/2018 10:28

There’s a kid at my kids nursery who goes up to every parent when they collect their kids to tell them everything wrong their child has done that day. Very irritating and surprisingly has no friends. Then I met his mother and it’s easy to see why he’s the way he is.

myusernamewastakenbyme · 30/04/2018 10:29

I can't bear tell tales either and if my kids ever tried to do it they were firmly told that i wasn't interested...
I don't respond well to being told off by other adults and as such i don't do it to others.

MirriVan · 30/04/2018 10:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

biscuitaddict · 30/04/2018 10:29

At school, children are working out the rules, being 'told on' is a deterrent for breaking them. The 'tell tale' kids see an injustice if rules are broken and there are no consequences. There needs to be positivity in honesty. It's about being a responsible person, you needed calling out, it's annoyed you because you got caught!

Olympiathequeen · 30/04/2018 10:30

Another mum parked her 4x4 parallel to a school bus in the school turning circle and literally blocked the turning circle to everyone else. She did this on a regular basis and usually rocked up late

I politely went over and told her how inconvenient this was. She didn’t like it but stopped doing it.

As you appear to be doing something similar, you are rude and entitled and deserve being told to park better

givemushypeasachance · 30/04/2018 10:31

I cycle past a couple of schools on the way to work each morning, and EVERY MORNING there are numerous cars parked on double yellow lines, up on the curb over double yellow lines, blocking a bike contraflow (again, also double yellow lines) and as mentioned above parents pulling over and stopping in the school entrance itself to let their kids out as close as possible. It's not just a one-off, it's every single day and multiple parents. Who presumably all also think it's fine and of course double yellow lines don't count when you're on the school run, what's the harm...

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 30/04/2018 10:33

How were you parked OP?

Fatted · 30/04/2018 10:33

I know it's just been the one occasion you've parked like a tit. But I'm guessing this bloke is a local resident who lives down the road from the school and is constantly seeing loads of people day in day out parking like a tit. All saying the same thing as you.

I used to live by a nursery and a hospital and constantly got my drive blocked in in the morning by people who 'were only going to be 5 minutes'. I have absolutely no sympathy for you.

I don't like being told I'm wrong either, but sometimes you've got to put your hands up and say 'Yeh I was wrong. I know for next time'

GertieMotherwell · 30/04/2018 10:35

Tell me about it givemushypeasachance

A school near me (inner city) campaigned for cycle lanes so the children could cycle safely to school. Now the other parents park in the cycle lane causing the bike riders to come out into the traffic lane as well as negotiate all the car doors opening.

MirriVan · 30/04/2018 10:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LinoleumBlownapart · 30/04/2018 10:42

It depends how it's delivered. Having a quiet word with you about your entitled parking would be fine, I'll bet you won't do it again.

Reprimanding you in front of others, so everyone can hear and to humiliate you is not ok.

GertieMotherwell · 30/04/2018 10:45

An extract from the MirriVan guide to being alive on a confusing planet

😂 I would like to read that

GnotherGnu · 30/04/2018 10:47

I agree with your dislike of busybodies. I had an incident where I had parked somewhere parents aren't normally allowed to park with the express agreement of the headteacher, because I was dropping something off for the school. A parents who was known for regarding herself as Queen Bee went out of her way to come over and tell me off, and was clearly extremely pissed off when I told her it was authorised. But, even if I had been in the wrong, it was none of her business - I wasn't in anyone's way or obstructing access: at most she should simply have pointed it out to one of the school staff in case they wanted to do anything about it.

MirriVan · 30/04/2018 10:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dancergirl · 30/04/2018 10:50

YABVU

If more people 'told tales' or whatever there would be fewer instances of bullying, people parking inconsiderately, people not picking up dog poo and so on.

We live in a community, these things are everyone's responsibility.

Telling tales is such old hat now, I encourage my dc to have the confidence to speak out if something isn't right.

I can't bear a walk-on-by society.

paxillin · 30/04/2018 10:51

You picked such a terrible example! Everyone hates a telltale and a rubbish school gate parker.

BarbarianMum · 30/04/2018 10:52

So where did you park that 1. Wasn't dangerous 2. Didn't inconvenience anybody and 3. Wasn't allowed? I'm wracking my brains but can't think of anywhere that would meet all 3 criteria.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 30/04/2018 10:53

That's pretty different though Gnu, you weren't in anyone's way or obstructing other drivers plus you had permission from the head.

Most people don't say anything to other parents which is a problem in itself because the majority of the selfish parents will just carry on parking where they want. It's in every child's interest not to have cars parked inappropriately because of the danger it may cause.

Dancergirl · 30/04/2018 10:53

But, even if I had been in the wrong, it was none of her business

Disagree, poor school parking is EVERYONE's business because it could impact children's safety.

DuchyDuke · 30/04/2018 10:53

Might want to go back to your driving instructer then to re-learn.

3stonedown · 30/04/2018 10:54

I mean this a little bit lightheartedly but of all the stupid crap people moan about on MN, being annoyed with people who follow rules surely has to be the worst.

I expect you hate traffic wardens for doing their jobs too OP?

differentnameforthis · 30/04/2018 11:02

I'm a grown adult! I don't need other parents 'calling me out' or telling me off! You obviously do, because you knew you'd done the wrong thing, yet you still did it.

Guilty conscience op?