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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:
puddleduckmummy · 25/05/2022 19:30

I don’t understand the question ?

Canyouanswermyquestion · 25/05/2022 19:45

I havent read the full thread but your idea of 'losing it' is totally different to mine.

You didn't lose it OP you had a word 🙄

TheWayoftheLeaf · 25/05/2022 19:50

I don't think asking was wrong tbh. I don't get why it would be embarrassing

ZoeCM · 25/05/2022 19:53

I can't understand WTF the other mum is supposed to have done wrong?

KellyBrown6 · 25/05/2022 19:54

HELELELEO

Mimi85 · 25/05/2022 20:14

Hi, I think people are being too harsh to the poster. The other mum was trying to get her child's birthday cancelled even though it was within the rules at the time. This was drive anyone crazy! She then 'forced' her to have some kind of guilt playdate. Once the playdate was over, she insulted her food.
If this other mum knew that the poster had left the club because of financial difficulties or even if she knew/ had an inclination about the family's circumstances, asking her to re-join is insensitive and humiliating..
I hope I've done the story more justice than when it was originally told

runnerblade95 · 25/05/2022 20:33

I’m stressed just from reading that. I don’t understand the question. Got to page 3 and still don’t understand the question so I’m giving up.

Bunnyfuller · 25/05/2022 20:38

Imma call bs just to get my post deleted

MrsLighthouse · 25/05/2022 20:50

To much drama …on both sides. Step back . It’s school. Not worth stressing over.

underneaththeash · 25/05/2022 21:06

In the UK, it's more "far left = looney" "far right = ludicrous" everyone else having good points to make and needing a balance.

minutesturntohours · 25/05/2022 21:30

Confused at the responses, OP. She's out of order here.

dlizi4 · 25/05/2022 21:54

OP, I totally get you, commenters here I feel do not get the whole vibe thing that came with it, she made you uncomfortable and embarrassed and it does sound deliberate to me - sending hugs and saying "always trust your gut" X

Astrak · 25/05/2022 22:01

Definitely trust your gut. Smile, basic,greeting. Ignore.

Newmumatlast · 25/05/2022 22:12

PAFMO · 24/05/2022 14:43

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

Yes this. I'm really confused what she did wrong in that scenario to be honest unless there is info missing. It seems like OP is overreacting to be honest. I doubt everyone else was mortified- a really strong word and something that's difficult to objectively assess tbh unless they say omg I'm mortified.

Kz1985 · 25/05/2022 22:57

I totally get your uneasy feeling .
Is she patronising you.
I'm feeling this with a parent for a long time.
Also avoid as much as poss to stop getting to close as the kids are always complaining of her kids ,what they're saying and doing is always not nice ,both my children want to change schools.
So many lies and over reactions ,complete drama queen's, and apparently its US that's in the wrong.
But like I said we try be swivel and stay away but she texting my boyfriend saying stuff about me, she interfering in my life way to much.To invested and I barely see her.

If she volunteering at the same place maybe you could try something else that suits you

Theoldermum · 25/05/2022 23:41

This has been the straw that broke the camels back for you.I’m so disappointed that no one can see there’s been a build up.Says a lot about mums today.Sad.

Roo4u · 26/05/2022 04:36

I think its more to the point how she asked her if she wanted a form as if she was humiliating her

NannaKaren · 26/05/2022 06:41

…anyway she sounds annoying and trying to get free childcare from you - avoid her - hope things settle down - life is too short for aggro xxx

Picoloangel · 26/05/2022 06:46

I suspect this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. There was a Mum at DD’s school who was v rude - once loudly criticising a book I had bought her daughter as a birthday present with a faux tinkly laugh. Apparently her daughter loved it which made it even worse.
Years of little digs and put downs. Honestly I wasted so much energy on worrying about what she was going to do and say next and then I decided to disengage. It’s marvellous! DD walks to school alone now so no meeting at the school etc and I just give her a polite hello and nod when I see her and that’s it. Accept what’s happened and move on. Stay away from her, nothing good will come of it.
I feel for you because it’s easy to say you overreacted but people like this can push you to react. I suspect being there meant there was an undertone to the seemingly innocent conversation that you picked up on. Just cut her out.

WhiteTeaNoSugar · 26/05/2022 06:47

Sorry what?

londonrach · 26/05/2022 06:52

Yabu.

BalloonsAndWhistles · 26/05/2022 06:57

Chill out OP.

VK456 · 26/05/2022 07:44

I’ve not read all the posts, but see that others are confused by the OP.
I think, in this instance, hearing the other side of the story might help throw a little light on things?

Intrigueddotcom · 26/05/2022 08:03

VK456 · 26/05/2022 07:44

I’ve not read all the posts, but see that others are confused by the OP.
I think, in this instance, hearing the other side of the story might help throw a little light on things?

That is the case with almost every single mumsnet AIBU thread ever posted

Walkingalot · 26/05/2022 08:07

So, you volunteered to help out rather than want to join? Your own kids don't use the club, which is what the membership pays for? She obviously winds you up a lot so just avoid her from now on and no more play dates.