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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Lost it at another school mum

255 replies

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 14:40

I will start by saying I have an unblemished 10 year record of no fights with school mums. My approach has always been to be nice to everyone, smile, rise above and get on with my life and this perhaps led me to putting up with nonsense from this one particular mother for way too long.

Anyway I had avoided her for some time due to her trying to shut down my son's birthday by saying it was a corona risk (it was within rules at the time, every other parent RSVP'd yes in record time just to get a break, even a child getting a split lip at the party was not picked up until it was over, so she was definitely the only parent who cared.) As a "goodwill gesture" I agreed to have her child over that week for the day. She had actually pushed for a sleepover the day before the party and I said no to that, then on the day she was late picking him up and then sent a message commenting on all the "carbs" and "party food" I'd given him (our usual diet.) At the point I decided to avoid her.

She then messaged me to say that my kid had been asking hers for a playdate and could I host. Stupidly I said yes, mostly because if my son had asked I would try to encourage the friendship and I actually feel sorry for the kid.

I then saw her that day at school when i was due to pick him up. She has started volunteering at the kids club group (they offer free activities for kids in lunchbreak). They were having a coffee morning, I think to try and drum up membership which was falling due to corona. Like many, we were members but left during corona as we weren't getting anything out of it, and we also got hit very hard financially as we are both freelance. Plus our older son never used the clubs. Anyway I went over to ask about volunteering. And in front of a load of people she asked me, really loudly, "ARE YOU A MEMBER?". I had to explain in front of other parents that I wasn't, we had left during corona and hadn't re-joined. And she said "OH WOULD YOU LIKE A FORM!".

I was so furious as we are worried about money. Our situation is not dire, but it's on our minds. And I'm pretty sure she would have checked out every single parents membership status anyway - she is that kind of person. And she didn't ask anyone else.

Anyway I messaged her saying I thought she was innappropriate and rude and our financial priorities are our concern and none of her business. And in future don't ask me to have her son.

She messaged back saying she was sincerely sorry but at the end of the day they are volunteers and just want what's best for the kids and they were asking everyone (they weren't, I was the only one who go asked and everyone looked mortified.)

There is loads more backstory, mostly about her sending me catty messages and making catty comments and pestering me for childcare, but I have already gone on enough. I am now worried about what she will do next. She's quite vicious and I just don't need it. I've blocked her on WhatsApp thank god.

OP posts:
PAFMO · 24/05/2022 14:43

She didn't ask you if you could afford it. She asked you if you wanted to join

Wolfiefan · 24/05/2022 14:44

I agree. She didn’t ask for a copy of your bank statement. Just offered you a form to join.

Thesearmsofmine · 24/05/2022 14:45

The only person to mention money was you? If you don’t want(or can’t) join you just say no thank you I don’t want a form. I doubt anyone else really cares.

You obviously don’t like her so just avoid.

TheGlitterati · 24/05/2022 14:46

Yabu.

catandcoffee · 24/05/2022 14:47

Honestly, just ignore her in future and no more play dates or looking after her child.

Don't be a doormat for others to walk over.

I would just block her on all social media too.

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 14:47

I know.... that's what's annoying, she has not gotten a rise out of me despite 3 years of concerted effort not to let her, and on this one occasion I took the bait. It did feel very pointed as it's a volunteer school thing and I feel bad about not paying our share, at the moment. And she didn't ask anyone else. It was embarrassing.

OP posts:
KentonArcher · 24/05/2022 14:48

YABU - I can't really work out what was inappropriate about what she said/did.

Also, don't most people go through their lives without having fights with other school mums? A 10 year unblemished record isn't really an achievement, it's real life for most.

Soubriquet · 24/05/2022 14:49

I’m glad other people said the same thing I was thinking because I was going crazy trying to see what upset you

She asked if you wanted a form. Not can you afford it.

TabithaTittlemouse · 24/05/2022 14:49

I don’t understand the bit about the child with a split lip (or any of it tbh).

I think you are being super sensitive and reading into things that aren’t there. ‘Do you want to join?’ ‘No thank you’. Easy peasy

FuchsAndMöhr · 24/05/2022 14:49

Jesus!

I actually can’t articulate how you are!

Are you always this highly strung?!

Needmorelego · 24/05/2022 14:50

I'm confused. Join what? Is it like PTA? Why do you have to pay if it's volunteers? What would the payment be for?

Krustykrabpizza · 24/05/2022 14:50

Thesearmsofmine · 24/05/2022 14:45

The only person to mention money was you? If you don’t want(or can’t) join you just say no thank you I don’t want a form. I doubt anyone else really cares.

You obviously don’t like her so just avoid.

Yes, you are the only one who has mentioned being able to afford it? Maybe only members can volunteer 🤷

Comedycook · 24/05/2022 14:50

I don't see what's wrong with her asking if you were a member of if you wanted a form.

She may have had moments where she's been rude but that wasn't it.

tonystarksrighthand · 24/05/2022 14:50

Let it go. Life's too short Grin

FuchsAndMöhr · 24/05/2022 14:50

FuchsAndMöhr · 24/05/2022 14:49

Jesus!

I actually can’t articulate how you are!

Are you always this highly strung?!

how unreasonable you are*

DanielRicciardosSmile · 24/05/2022 14:50

I'm confused. Was the form something to do with financial support? I was assuming it was a form to become a group member, but I can't see how this would involve her making your finances her business?

nearlyspringyay · 24/05/2022 14:50

I don't really understand, I don't think she did anything wrong.

Fidodidit · 24/05/2022 14:50

I think more of the backstory is necessary to make your point OP because on the face of it here, she asked if you were a club member and if you wanted the form to join which doesn’t reveal anything about your financial circumstances.

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 14:51

@FuchsAndMöhr yes probably I am! Well not with other mothers at all, I get along well with everyone but this woman for some reason seems to really get under my skin and I don't know if it's me or her. But it seems it's me.

OP posts:
MsEverywhere · 24/05/2022 14:52

Okay, she might have done lots of other bad stuff, but that doesn't sound like one of them.

You said they had a coffee morning to drum up members. So its not surprising that she asked if you were a member. Especially when you were asking about getting more involved. And she's apologised to you.

Let it go and avoid her as much as you can.

FuchsAndMöhr · 24/05/2022 14:53

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 14:51

@FuchsAndMöhr yes probably I am! Well not with other mothers at all, I get along well with everyone but this woman for some reason seems to really get under my skin and I don't know if it's me or her. But it seems it's me.

If that’s the case my advice is avoid her as she’s clearly, rightly or wrongly, causing you unnecessary anxiety!

Hugasauras · 24/05/2022 14:53

Another one who doesn't understand. All she asked was if you would like a form? She didn't say anything about your financial situation in front of anyone or anything else like that. I'd be v confused to have got that message you sent afterwards!

She may be a bit of a tricky person generally but I can't see what she's done wrong here.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 24/05/2022 14:53

How does your financial situation affect you volunteering for club?

Headabovetheparakeet · 24/05/2022 14:53

Kindly, I think it's you, not her.

Johnnysgirl · 24/05/2022 14:54

Arf at your hitherto "unblemished record" of non violence at the school gates 😁
She wasn't being unreasonable, but you definitely were.