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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel sad my daughter has no friends.

148 replies

NewMum152 · 25/01/2022 16:42

My child is in year 2 and I feel really sad as she has no friends outside of school. I was under the impression that due to covid people haven’t been socialising but today I found out there have been lots of parties and my daughter has never been invited.

The thing is she’s very sociable and at drop offs and pick ups she’s surrounded by kids but at this age it’s the PARENTS that are in charge of who socialises with who. I’ve very introverted and totally opposite my daughter whose outgoing and lively. Why are the parents so cruel?

I have over the year reached out abs arranged play dates but everyone is always busy or do they tell me. It’s really upset me knowing they all meet up and I’m never invited. They all have my number as there’s a class WhatsApp group but parties are never posted there.

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 26/01/2022 01:31

Start having kids she likes over to play.

NewMum152 · 26/01/2022 03:05

It’s just really cruel I think they say there’s been so many parties and recently I got told all the girls except my DD was invited. I wish people would stop telling me! I would not have found out if I hadn’t been told.

Haven’t been to sleep all night as I’m so upset.

OP posts:
NewMum152 · 26/01/2022 03:06

I’m going to talk to the teacher tomorrow. I often feel the teacher has zero time to talk. It’s just really nasty.

OP posts:
NewMum152 · 26/01/2022 03:08

Btw - I’ve had no further responses to the play dates. Just to clear up even though I am an introvert I actually do make conversations at pick ups. I even volunteer at school 2 days a week and see lots of parents (left this out as felt this info was outing, but I don’t care anymore! I hope they are reading this)

OP posts:
Aria999 · 26/01/2022 03:22

Wow that sucks. It sounds like they are actually cliquey and it's not your imagination. It's really hard when you put yourself out there and get knocked back. I felt sick with anxiety after I asked a couple of mums I didn't know for play dates, until they replied nicely.

If people are really inviting the whole class minus one to parties that's pretty bad. General etiquette says it is either a small group or a whole class invite.

Is it possible that there is actually something about DD that is a problem that you're not aware of? (Doesn't make it ok but if she always e.g. lost her temper and threw things at other children it would explain it).

My own DS (6) is strong willed and has some anger management issues so if this happens to us I will probably assume it's him and not me!

Otherwise is there any option to move to a less toxic school?

NewMum152 · 26/01/2022 03:27

@Aria999
Otherwise is there any option to move to a less toxic school

I’m so glad you suggested this. I’ve been thinking about this. There’s a small independent school near us and I went to view yesterday. The head actually mentioned the strategies they take to make sure all kids get along (I didn’t tell her about the issues I’m having), there’s also lots of events for parents to get involved in.

OP posts:
Aria999 · 26/01/2022 03:35

That sounds promising. I do think it makes a big difference if the teachers actively encourage the kids to be inclusive and kind to each other.

I agree with pp it may not actually specifically matter if DD doesn't see her friends outside school as long as that's not a problem for her or you. But it sounds like in this instance it's a symptom of a bigger issue with a nasty environment so it probably does matter.

DS does have at least one school friend (according to the teachers) and talks about spending time at school with a variety of kids but is mostly resistant to play dates (except his best friend from preschool, who he sees at after-school still).

NewMum152 · 26/01/2022 03:42

It does feel like a nasty environment. The actual school is not a nice environment to r we irk in either - the teachers are always in edge and long term absence is very high. My child’s class have had so many teachers leave etc.

I think the class teacher won’t be able to help.

OP posts:
NewMum152 · 26/01/2022 03:42

*work in

OP posts:
Flabbyflabberghasted · 26/01/2022 03:53

I’m so sorry that you and your daughter are having these difficulties. I think it’s a good idea to speak to school. Maybe this post will make others think. It’s really tough. Hopefully things will get easier for you both soon. It’s great that you’re being proactive with play date offers. Could you also suggest meet ups in park too? Are you offering play days for just kids or are you suggesting meet ups with parents too?

paisley256 · 26/01/2022 03:55

I just want to say that you sound like such a lovely mum.

Mine are in secondary now so it's a bit easier but I remember the feeling that your kid got left out of parties etc and it feels awful. In my case it's cos I'm not on any social media so we weren't on the radar of anyone really.

I hope things get better with regards to party invites etc. I also hope you manage to get some sleep! Flowers

Flabbyflabberghasted · 26/01/2022 03:56

Also, it might be best to be upfront with other schools about the problems you’ve been having, to ensure they can help to support you. Particularly if it’s an independent school, you’d be paying and Inwould expect extra time and support

Flabbyflabberghasted · 26/01/2022 03:58

Agree with paisley256 that it gets easier at secondary but I know you’ve got a few years till then

NewMum152 · 26/01/2022 04:17

@Flabbyflabberghasted

I’m so sorry that you and your daughter are having these difficulties. I think it’s a good idea to speak to school. Maybe this post will make others think. It’s really tough. Hopefully things will get easier for you both soon. It’s great that you’re being proactive with play date offers. Could you also suggest meet ups in park too? Are you offering play days for just kids or are you suggesting meet ups with parents too?
I left it open to the parents and said it would be lovely to see them but equally I understand if they just want to you drop dc off.
OP posts:
NewMum152 · 26/01/2022 04:18

Thank you @paisley256 and @Flabbyflabberghasted

OP posts:
Lampzade · 26/01/2022 04:42

As others have said you need to make an effort.
I am a natural introvert and when my kids were in primary school I worked long hours, However, I always made sure I collected dcs from school once a week and would chat with some of the parents. I then had a whole class party
If there was a school fayre I would take time off and volunteer on one of the stalls.
It wasn’t always easy and I didn’t always want to do it, but dd1 was very shy when she was younger and I knew that if I didn’t make the effort she would have had a difficult time at school

NewMum152 · 26/01/2022 04:45

@Lampzade

As others have said you need to make an effort. I am a natural introvert and when my kids were in primary school I worked long hours, However, I always made sure I collected dcs from school once a week and would chat with some of the parents. I then had a whole class party If there was a school fayre I would take time off and volunteer on one of the stalls. It wasn’t always easy and I didn’t always want to do it, but dd1 was very shy when she was younger and I knew that if I didn’t make the effort she would have had a difficult time at school
How much more effort can I make though? I’m asking seriously. Unless I turn up at their homes and invite myself in I go t see what else I can do. Yes I could have had a party for DD but during her birthday for past 2 years there have been restrictions so would have meant only 5 kids were invited, I chose not to have one as I assumed everyone else was not having either.
OP posts:
Lampzade · 26/01/2022 04:50

@NewMum152

Btw - I’ve had no further responses to the play dates. Just to clear up even though I am an introvert I actually do make conversations at pick ups. I even volunteer at school 2 days a week and see lots of parents (left this out as felt this info was outing, but I don’t care anymore! I hope they are reading this)
Sorry Op, I just read this part. All I can advise you to do is to continue to ask other classmates for a play date .
Lampzade · 26/01/2022 04:53

@NewMum152

It does feel like a nasty environment. The actual school is not a nice environment to r we irk in either - the teachers are always in edge and long term absence is very high. My child’s class have had so many teachers leave etc.

I think the class teacher won’t be able to help.

I think a change of school is required
NewMum152 · 26/01/2022 04:57

@Lampzade thank you. Sorry I didn’t mean to snap lol! I think I’m just knackered. I have to be up in an hour. I’ve had zero sleep worrying about all this.

OP posts:
NewMum152 · 26/01/2022 05:03

DH just woke up and I told him I haven’t slept all night and he responded I’m an idiot who has nothing better in her life to worry about and so what if DD doesn’t get invited to parties it’s not the end of the world.

OP posts:
CliffsofMohair · 26/01/2022 05:06

OP sometimes it’s not you. Maybe it’s a school with groups of long term friends as parents or kids who have known each other since parents were in NCT together.
💐. We have similar here with my DD, who has special needs and it is brutal.

Piggyk2 · 26/01/2022 05:07

Hi OP does your DDs school offer any after school clubs like sport that she could join? What activities do you do on a weekend to socialise?

Maybe try strike up conversation with the other mums at school pick up.

CliffsofMohair · 26/01/2022 05:07

Empathy is his strong suit eh.
Maybe it’s DH that putting people off. (?!)

Mummyoflittledragon · 26/01/2022 05:20

From what you’ve said, I’d definitely move your dd if you are able to. Failing that, the school must address this. It sounds as though your dd is being bullied by the parents.

And who is telling you your dd is the only left out child? Surely these people’s kids would be ideal candidates for play dates?

The parents in my dd’s primary were particularly demanding and cliquey in comparison with some other years and other schools. I was never in the clique but not completely sidelined. Luckily a lot of parents did whole class parties in reception so that made us all interact with one another and I think it would have been a lot worse without it.

A couple of the kids with single mum younger parents were never invited to playdates, which I thought was really sad and I invited them to ours a few times over the years. Perhaps there are other kids, who are also pushed out by parents?

When dd was in yr1, her friendships dried up. With one parent there was a misunderstanding about something, which happened between her dd and mine and the mother freaked and closed down (nothing happened but she thought it did..long explanation required). Another mother also stopped play dates - fine for her dd to come to mine but wouldn’t reciprocate and with my very poor health, it was too hard. I got dd very busy with out of school activities. At first I sent her to rainbows as it was calm (and at the time only allowed biological women / girls). She soon got bored of this as she’s very active and I started her swimming, judo, riding lessons etc. Basically everything to ensure she was too busy for play dates. I also luckily have a friend, whose ds is the same age as my dd but in a different school so we also saw them once a week.

A couple of years on and we tentatively restarted play dates. Towards the end of secondary, the kids started to push more for what they wanted. Anyone, who came quickly learned our house was warm and welcoming. I fed them what they wanted (having checked with the parents) and was genuinely interested in the kids, lots of smiles and a tasty pudding, a fun activity or game but nothing desperate or ott. Slip and slide in the summer, trampoline. Dd is in yr9 now. I asked her the other day why our house is the place to congregate. Dd told me it was because of me always ready to make them feel welcome and offering food etc.

What I’m saying here is that just because you’re where you are right now, this doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck like this forever. It sounds as though you’ve got even bigger issues than us. But this isn’t surmountable. Sadly, the parents sound like arseholes. With the play date thing, you could suggest an alternative date with one or 2 parents. Unfortunately they could already have pegged you as needy. The playground is such a desolate place and the parents reenact their childhoods, if there’s one or even a few particularly controlling queen bees, you may be the unwitting victim and everyone is complying with them.

Don’t despair, find some activities your dd can attend regularly. Some can be very cheap. Judo is good for girls and send your dd to a childminder once a week if you can afford to do so as she will have kids to play with there. And her face will be a reminder to the parents that she exists.

Next birthday, if the budget allows, I would hold a full class party and also invite other children, family etc not at this school. Hire the local hall, bouncy castle and games. Ask any friends and family to help you entertain and clear up etc. Or hire an entertainer if it’s in budget.

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