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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

'Are dads invited too?'

999 replies

SyIviescup · 31/08/2021 12:07

So the class watsap is starting to wake up. The majority are women but there a few dads floating about in it. That don't really contribute to the group at all.

There are a few of us who are friendly - not besties but enjoy going for lunch before pick up (if we can) or evening drinks/ meal out (term time as we all seem to disappear during the long summer holidays)

If we organise a play date outing such as at a play area/park ect its an open invite everyone is invited mums & dads, siblings- anyone.

But if a few of us fancy having a 'mums' night out, we have to extend it to the rest of the mums on the group, so they don't feel left out then the same two women ask if 'the dads can come too?'

Which changes the dynamics of the group. I've nothing against either blokes, they are nice, I chat to them at school but its just not the same. The last time they came, we/I was told that more male friendly/fun stuff should be organised like a night out go carting. I did say to him that he was welcome to organise that but it never came to fruition.

Im not the class rep, its not down to me to organise events that men would like, I don't know why they organise fuck all then expect to come out and sit with 10 women and then moan that they could be doing something more 'fun'.

Message this morning -

Person A - Hi every one hope you all had a great summer, a few of us are thinking about have a mums meal and drinks night out for a catch up on the xxxx, if you fancy it let me know so I can book table.

Person B - I'd love too, can dads come too.

Confused
OP posts:
Brollypackedforscottishholiday · 31/08/2021 12:10

Surely Ladies Only covers it??

Newnames123 · 31/08/2021 12:10

Don't really see the problem. Either say sure everyone welcome or no not this time Mums only!

Rainbowqueeen · 31/08/2021 12:11

I’d just say “this ones a girls night, maybe you’d like to organise a catch up for all parents around half term?”

SyIviescup · 31/08/2021 12:13

@Rainbowqueeen

I’d just say “this ones a girls night, maybe you’d like to organise a catch up for all parents around half term?”
I may suggest this!
OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 31/08/2021 12:13

Yeah I too would go with 'this one is for mums only, maybe one of the dads can organise a meet up later in the term for everyone?'

ZeroFuchsGiven · 31/08/2021 12:13

Either set up a separate WA or invite all parents. I think its pretty rude tbh to only invite some of the group. How many times has there been threads on here with people really upset over this type of behaviour.

Goldenfan · 31/08/2021 12:13

Can you just say "no sorry not this time its mums only, dads are welcome to organize something themselves".

It dosnt happen on our group luckily. Its mainly mums and probably 1 dad but he never comments. The dads don't have a group and nothing is ever organized by or for them. Not the mums problem imo.

Thingsthatgo · 31/08/2021 12:14

YABU. I’d be annoyed if the dads organised a go karting day or a evening in the pub and said ‘men only’.

SyIviescup · 31/08/2021 12:15

@ZeroFuchsGiven

Either set up a separate WA or invite all parents. I think its pretty rude tbh to only invite some of the group. How many times has there been threads on here with people really upset over this type of behaviour.
Its rude to organise a ladies night out?
OP posts:
SyIviescup · 31/08/2021 12:15

@Thingsthatgo

YABU. I’d be annoyed if the dads organised a go karting day or a evening in the pub and said ‘men only’.
It wouldn't bother me in the slightest
OP posts:
Justilou1 · 31/08/2021 12:15

I’d reply “Sure but as it’s mostly ladies, we have no intention of “changing it to a more male-friendly venue” like go-karting.” We plan on eating and drinking wine. Thanks!

Aprilx · 31/08/2021 12:15

I don’t think you or anyone else should feel obliged to organise more “manly” activities. But I also think it is pretty rude to exclude people based upon sex, age or anything else.

MrsRobbieHart · 31/08/2021 12:15

If you aren’t inviting everyone in the group then you don’t announce the outing in the group!! You set up another group chat with just the people you want to invite

LegendaryReady · 31/08/2021 12:16

@Thingsthatgo

YABU. I’d be annoyed if the dads organised a go karting day or a evening in the pub and said ‘men only’.
Yes. I think you can have your girls night with true friends, but when it's a semi formally organised thing you have to include everyone.
vivainsomnia · 31/08/2021 12:16

This is really bad. This is a school group, to discuss school kids matters, hence why any parents can join. If this leads to arranging get together, that's fine, but to use this group to then exclude them is just sexist.

If you want to arrange a get together with some mums specifically, create a new group.

Chihuahuacat · 31/08/2021 12:17

Do the men want to come or are some people just speaking on their behalf?

If they want to come - it’s rude to not invite them, set up a new group.

If it’s just some women asking on their behalf , just politely say some events are women only.

BabyLeaf · 31/08/2021 12:17

YABU. I really can't understand arbitrarily excluding some of the group just because they're dads rather than mums.

Surely this isn't a big deal, invite everyone and whoever wants to show up will. Is there some reason you really only want mums there? If it's because last time one of the dads said you should all do some go karting next time and then they didn't organise it then that's a daft reason, they were just suggesting ideas and if they didn't enjoy that night out then they won't be showing up to this one.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 31/08/2021 12:17

Its rude to organise a ladies night out?

Not at all but it is rude to exclude people in the group based on their sex. If You want to organise a 'ladies Night' then do it in a separate group.

Ionlydomassiveones · 31/08/2021 12:17

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

GreenestValley · 31/08/2021 12:18

Why do you think men are a different species that wouldn't enjoy a night at the pub? Confused

I think it's rude and dated.

IM0GEN · 31/08/2021 12:18

@ApolloandDaphne

Yeah I too would go with 'this one is for mums only, maybe one of the dads can organise a meet up later in the term for everyone?'
This or something like this.

Don’t invite the dads along, they will change the whole dynamic and make it all about them. Happens every bloody time.

BabyLeaf · 31/08/2021 12:18

And yeah, it's a faux pas and rude to boot to tell an entire group about a particular social plan while some of the group aren't invited. We teach little kids that, surely most adults are aware of it?

MrsRobbieHart · 31/08/2021 12:18

You’re incredibly rude and UR to announce an event on a whole group chat that you don’t want everyone to attend.

LegendaryReady · 31/08/2021 12:18

Anyone ever wondered why men don't get involved in school stuff and leave some child m rearing aspects to women? Grin

DonnatellaLyman · 31/08/2021 12:18

I think it can be tough being a single/gay/SAHD/main carer dad in a majority female group. I also think if you put something on the class WhatsApp it should be inclusive, if you just want to meet some of the other mums, organise something separately with your friends?

I really enjoy an all female get together, but I don’t think the school WhatsApp with the place to organise.