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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

...to want to read a book in the playground at school run time?

36 replies

Spiderhammer · 12/10/2007 14:52

DH thinks it's anti social and weird.

Would you think it unfriendly and rude if a mum were to do it in your playground?

OP posts:

TwigorTreat · 12/10/2007 14:54

I don't understand

do you mean you go to pick up children and rather than talking to other parents you read a book? But you're not waiting in your car but in the public playground

if you do then yes I think its unfriendly and rude .. sorry .. or maybe not rude but definitely putting barriers up that you don't want to be friends / pass the time with anyone else and you will thus get a reputation even if not reading people won't tend to chat

Original poster

Spiderhammer · 12/10/2007 14:55

Right. I've got my book and I'm off on the school run. I'll let you know if anyone looks askance.

OP posts:

bookwormmum · 12/10/2007 14:55

Wouldn't bother me but no one talks to me anyway . I'm usually texting someone anyway.

I probably wouldn't bother taking a book unless I knew I had a wait on my hands - like an afterschool club or something that I had to deliver my LO to and wasn't going to go home in between.

handlemecarefully · 12/10/2007 14:55

I'm sorry I would conclude the same as your dh - although objectively, you have every right to stand there and read a book of course

screamsprout · 12/10/2007 14:56

It does send out a "leave me alone" message, loud and clear but if that's what you want to do - go for it!

ledodgy · 12/10/2007 14:57

I think it's a bit strange too, sorry. If it's like our playground you're only waiting 5-10 minutes at the most which doesnt really give you a chance to do much reading anyway so it would oook as though you didn't want to talk to anyone rather than you actually wanted to read iyswim.

DrNortherner · 12/10/2007 14:57

Of course you can do whatever yuo like However, I agree it does appear anti social and no one will approach you.

I would not talk to a mum with her head stuck in a book. SAme as one's with ipod's on.

I take it as a 'I am busy doing something else so don't atlke to me' kindo of thing.

ThePhantomToiletFlusher · 12/10/2007 14:58

To be honest..yes..I would think it a bit odd if someone were stood in the playground reading a book, it would appear to me like they wanted to be deliberately anti-social.

You have to ask yourself why you want to do it?

TwigorTreat · 12/10/2007 14:59

but why would you do this spider? how much reading can you do in the playground before they come out?

it seems rather like making a statement to me ... a rather unusual statement too

I bet you don't do it

Desiderata · 12/10/2007 15:04

Spider, you won't know if anyone looks askance

What book is it?

hoxtonchick · 12/10/2007 15:06

i sometimes read my book if i'm 10 minutes early. but i put it down when my friends arrive to pick their children up.

unknownrebelbang · 12/10/2007 15:10

I often read whilst waiting for the boys to come out, but I sit and do it in the car, rather than on the playground.

niceglasses · 12/10/2007 15:13

If you want to do this, which of course you can, you have to be prepared for the 'leave me alone' vibes it gives out I suppose.

Original poster

Spiderhammer · 12/10/2007 16:46

It seems like dh is right judging by your reactions.

I compromised. I took a magazine and read it. The fact is, I've had two and a half hours sleep, my hair is a bit manky and was having to brace myself for the school run. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to anyone. There was one other parent in the playground reading a book but he was a man so probably less of a faux pas.

Is it not OK to feel anti social and like you just want to be on your own somedays then? I'm not sad or anything. Just tired and manky and wanting to get the school run over with.

Both my mum and dad are very anti social. They even park as far away as possible from anyone else in the supermarket car park so that they have to walk miles with the trolly because it's preferable to having to meet someone's eye.

Normally I'm pretty friendly ... but surely everyone just feels like NOT mixing now and again?

OP posts:

TwigorTreat · 12/10/2007 16:51

I think you are allowed to have off-days and keep your head down and act really busy .. hope you get more sleep tonight

the magazine / book just makes it look pre-meditated rather than "I'm a bit grumpy leave me alone" vibes it gives off "this is far more interesting than talking to you"

wheresthehamster · 12/10/2007 17:01

If I didn't want to talk to anyone I'd turn up at the last minute as they were all coming out, beckon to dd and turn and go.

Although I have been known to open the local paper if none of my friends have turned up just for something to do and not look like Billy-no-mates

motherinferior · 12/10/2007 17:03

I think if you're having a truly crap day and it's a one-off, go for it. I think if it's a regular thing it might not perhaps be the friendliest thing to do.

cornsilk · 12/10/2007 17:04

I have days when I don't really want to talk to people 'cos I look a sight - know the feeling. They're always the days when the teacher comes over to speak to you about something, you can guarantee it. Best to just wash your hair and be done with it. Agree that reading a book in the playground is a bit unusual.

handlemecarefully · 12/10/2007 17:19

I do the same as hamster if I am having an off day - turn up at least conceivable moment

Caroline1852 · 12/10/2007 17:29

Sunglasses and balaclava. Or, if your school is multi-cultural, a top-to-toe burka. Much more friendly than the standoffish head in a book routine.

Caroline1852 · 12/10/2007 17:32

Desiderata - The book is perhaps How to Make Friends and Influence People?

Original poster

Spiderhammer · 12/10/2007 17:33

Nice. Thanks Caroline. What a wag you are.

OP posts:

pointydog · 12/10/2007 17:34

I'm all for taking a good book along to pass a dull wait. But how long do you spend in the playground?

I don't think an average playground wait justifies a book therefore assumptions will be made about weirdness.

handlemecarefully · 12/10/2007 17:36

It was a bit of a cheap shot wasn't it!

AliciaMum · 12/10/2007 17:37

I hate the school run - I absolutely dread it. I usually either turn up last minute as the kids are walking out so I don't have to make conversation with anyone - or if I do arrive early I just go right to the front and stand on my own.

I hate social situations and break out in sweats so its easier not to talk to people. I must come accross as really unfriendly and anti-social but the truth is I am really really shy and hate social situations.

School runs are the most uncomfortable for me. I woudn't read a book though Spiderhammer .

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