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AIBU?

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Original poster

‘So happy little Johnny got his 1st choice school’

164 replies

Mangetoutrodney · 16/04/2019 20:27

All over social media today with photos ‘So happy that little Johnny got his first choice primary school’

Aibu to think it’s not a bloody competition & it just rubs it in the faces of all the parents that didn’t get any of their choices etc. When did it become a ‘thing’?

Both my kids got their choices of school when they went to primary and start secondary in sept but I never would have dreamt about putting it on social media particularly because I know devastated people that had to go through the stress of appeals. Absolutely bonkers.

OP posts:
brizzlemint · 16/04/2019 20:29

A couple of years ago somebody I know posted that she was so proud of her daughter because she got into the high school she wanted. That's the bog standard comprehensive where you get in because Mummy or Daddy filled in the form correctly and bought/rented a house in the right place.

Loopytiles · 16/04/2019 20:29

Good way to identify self absorbed dicks!

AppleApplePie · 16/04/2019 20:32

It’s a strange thing to boast about, as it involves absolutely zero skill!

WallisFrizz · 16/04/2019 20:32

My SIL has done a post like this. She is a completely lovely down to earth person that doesn’t even post on FB that much. I think that she is genuinely over the moon that her dd has got into a good school. I liked her post, I was pleased for her.

HTruffle · 16/04/2019 20:34

I think this is one of those things where people mean no harm and it is only seen as offensive if the reader chooses to see it that way.

Original poster
Mangetoutrodney · 16/04/2019 20:36

@wallis I get that people are pleased. I was delighted & relieved when my kids got into the schools of choice. But boasting about it on social media is really weird!

It’s just incredibly insensitive when lots of people don’t get what they want. The appeals process for a lot of people is mega awful!

OP posts:
CupOhTea · 16/04/2019 20:37

It’s a strange thing to boast about, as it involves absolutely zero skill!

This^^!

Ratatatouille · 16/04/2019 20:38

I don’t really think there’s anything wrong with it. But to be fair I am not friends with thousands of acquaintances on Facebook, only people who I am actually related to or friends with, so I would be genuinely pleased for them and would see it as them sharing happy news rather than boasting.

Brainfogmcfogface · 16/04/2019 20:39

My DD didn’t get first choice today, all the fb posts have been making me really jealous because it seems like everyone else did. But as PP said they mean no harm, I’m just upset and that’s no one else problem but mine.
Side note though, had I got first choice I wouldn’t have posted as I don’t want everyone knowing what school my Dd is going to but it seems that’s just me around these parts as everyone I know has posted!

CripsSandwiches · 16/04/2019 20:40

I agree most people mean no harm but it's a very odd thing to post as it's quite boring to 99% of your friends - really only close family are going to be at all interested (I have a friend that will like someone's post on Facebook while moaning that it's so boring and why would she care!) and for some it will actively stress them out.

Merinocool · 16/04/2019 20:40

It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Loads of people I know have posted about this today and I’m genuinely happy for them. My son didn’t get the school we wanted years ago and had to go through the appeals process, that doesn’t mean I can’t be happy for others who do get their preferred choice.

Witchtower · 16/04/2019 20:41

Never thought of it like that. I think you’re reading too much into it.

My DC2 got into the primary school of my choice today and it was an absolute relief. I chose not to post as I tend to post roughly 5 times a year. Many people I know did post on social media and tbh I was happy for them, not upset or jealous. I say upset or jealous as DC1 didn’t initially get her place and I was GUTTED but I wasn’t upset with posters sharing their happiness.

I don’t think people posting are gloating but just happy. I think it’s probably dependant on where you live. I live in London surrounded by shite schools, so to get into a half decent one is a huge relief.

I think any post on social media has the ability to offend someone.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 16/04/2019 20:41

The ones who didn’t and are now ‘furious’ and ‘deffo going to appeal’ are equally annoying tbf. They don’t understand what appealing is for and ‘all her friends are going, it’s outrageous that little Jemima didn’t’ is undermining the point of it.

MrsSteve · 16/04/2019 20:42

I ended up with two kids at different middle schools and another child at first school.

I feel your pain OP.

Creatureofthenight · 16/04/2019 20:43

I can’t imagine thinking that anyone would be interested in what school my child attends - except GPs etc and I’d phone them.

Whereisthegin1978 · 16/04/2019 20:43

I never get it either. It’s as though little Jonny did really well when it’s just down to location & a form being filled out correctly! Was really happy to see a friend post about her child getting into a school through an entrance exam though - that’s something to be proud of !

LadyWithLapdog · 16/04/2019 20:43

Nothing wrong with posting about it. It’s what FB is for, isn’t it?

Ribbonsonabox · 16/04/2019 20:43

My friend did a post like this. I know shes had a difficult year personally and is just extremely happy somethings gone right for once. I'm pleased for her.
Not every opinion or expression someone makes on social media is meant as a criticism or dig at everyone else. Some people are just genuinely happy about or have enjoyed something.
YAB

AppleKatie · 16/04/2019 20:44

Good way to identify self absorbed dicks!

I’m ashamed to say I had the very same uncharitable thoughts about one of my dearest friends today. It was so bragging (the ten hashtags didn’t help) and basically boiled down to ‘we’re rich enough to buy a house close to this school we wanted, yah boo sucks to be you’.

ZenNudist · 16/04/2019 20:46

Ignore

Spinnaret · 16/04/2019 20:47

Also, describing it as 'his' first choice school. How many 4 year olds actually have an opinion on which is their first choice school. Seems more like 'so delighted that little Johnny got into our first choice school'.

TacoLover · 16/04/2019 20:47

Why would you be proud of something that required no skill or effort to achieveConfused

Haffiana · 16/04/2019 20:47

Personally I would assume that they are happy that their child got his first choice.

I don't understand why you feel it is boasting?

Moneymanifestor · 16/04/2019 20:48

I think people should be able to post about things that make them happy. It's shite like this that has everyone tip toeing around lest someone else takes it personally.

OP I suggest you look at Ricky Gervais stand up show Humanity. Especially the bit about the guitar lessons.

youarenotkiddingme · 16/04/2019 20:49

I'm glad I didn't boast when ds got his (amazing at talking the talk!) secondary academy. Equal distance from catchment but not catchment.

They drove him to attempt suicide Sad

However I should congratulate myself for fighting the system and getting him an out of catchment MS secondary with EHCP and transport!

He's thrived there!

Different schools suit different kids. But getting into the one you want isn't
A) an achievement
B) necessarily the best thing Grin

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