Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Potterypottering · 24/05/2022 15:09

YABU unreasonable about the membership but she sounds a bit of a looper! Sounds like a good idea to stay away

AngelinaFangelina · 24/05/2022 15:10

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 15:03

@AngelinaFangelina If i start drip feeding I'll drown myself. But yes I agree entirely that on this occasion I overreacted which is really fucking annoying (for me.) And yes I already avoid her like the plague.

Just leave it now then, don't let it bother you. We can't get on with everyone in life, sometimes people just don't click. She won't be a part of your life forever, you only have to see her briefly at school and a few odd parties and events so ignore on the whole or be civil, block her from messaging you and don't get involved in any drama.
I spent years watching the shit go down on the school run where parents got overly involved in each others lives. I'm so glad I stuck to hello and goodbye and the odd banal chat about the weather. I picked the kids up and went home and never thought about it until the next day.

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 15:10

@DefiniteTortoise I hope you're right but I fear it will be the opposite. anyway I have blocked her so she can't message or leave her endless voicemail messages anymore at least.

OP posts:
DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 24/05/2022 15:10

The school gate can be a minefield. You are probably never going to get along. You don't need to be friends wither her.
Keep as far out of her way as possible. Close it down and then forget about it and focus on people you do get on with.
eg Answer any rude questions with a shrug.
Don't offer goodwill gestures like playdates etc in the future just because you had to turn her down for a cheeky request at a sleepover. That's only going to cause more problems. You just have to say sorry it's not a convenient day for me. Or I'm not sure, I'll get back to you and then don't.
Don't go around telling everyone about her or it turn into a hot gossip topic and it will get back and everyone will join in the drama. You need to convey an attitude of "Meh"

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 15:12

@airrrrAIRRRRiELLLL Playdate wasn't cancelled. She did leave a very long voicemail afterwards telling me to call her if it wasn't going to go ahead, but I had told her it was in my message, somethimg along the lines of 'today is fine but don't ask me again.'

OP posts:
TibetanTerrah · 24/05/2022 15:13

I'm just so confused by all of this.

Dancer47 · 24/05/2022 15:14

Sorry, I don't see what she has done wrong. Also, if you don't like someone, don't give them your personal mobile 'phone number.

thevanilla · 24/05/2022 15:14

YABU. None of this makes much sense. She didn’t do anything wrong. You have a chip on your shoulder about money and went on the attack for no reason. Proudly claiming you’ve never had a fight with a school mum isn’t the grand achievement you think it is, most people don’t have fights with other parents Confused

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 15:14

@DuckbilledSplatterPuff thank you, excellent advice. I am so annoyed at myself for biting back. The "meh" attitude is the only one that works.

OP posts:
JulyDreams · 24/05/2022 15:15

I'm due with my first in a couple of months and I am absolutely DREADING school mum conflicts. This is just an example.

fruitbrewhaha · 24/05/2022 15:15

I can't see what's so embarrassing about being asked if you are a member? Are you embarrassed about your financial circumstances? My finances have taken a huge hit during Covid, I don't try to hide it, why would I? I'm honest, if people ask if I still do something, I say, no not since lockdowns, we are being a bit careful about spending etc.

But well done on your 10 year's of not scrapping with school mums? Do you hold the record for your area?

purplecorkheart · 24/05/2022 15:15

She didn't ask anyone else that you know of. Given your reaction I would say she was afraid to.

When she asked you were you a member surely you could have replied not at the moment. Would you like a form, no thanks or thanks I will take a look at it later. Seems like you feel like she is judging you when she wasn't.

I am at a bit of a loss at you mentioning your unblemished record at not getting into arguments or fights at the school gates. Is that something totally normal rather than an achievement.

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 15:16

Some of these comments are getting quite personal and nasty towards me so I'm going to stop now, but thank you so much for those who have understood and given me advice, i really appreciate it.

OP posts:
yellowsuninthesky · 24/05/2022 15:16

I think she rubs you up the wrong way and it's been like a last straw. Anyway you didn't lose it with her, you just said you were annoyed and she apologised. Forget it and move on.

I think this is the right approach:

"I spent years watching the shit go down on the school run where parents got overly involved in each others lives. I'm so glad I stuck to hello and goodbye and the odd banal chat about the weather. I picked the kids up and went home and never thought about it until the next day"

RewildingAmbridge · 24/05/2022 15:18

I wonder if your perception of her catty comments is accurate. On this occasion she asked if you were a member of a club and offered you a form. She also asked as they were being cautious about Covid if her son could have a playdate with yours 121 instead. I genuinely don't see anything wrong.

certainshepherdpups · 24/05/2022 15:20

It sounds like a huge drama about absolutely nothing. I don’t think she’s done anything wrong. Go on with your day and forget about this non-event.

Nopetryagain · 24/05/2022 15:20

What’s with the ‘10 years unblemished record of violence against other school mums’, did you lamp a school mum 11 years ago but had 10 years clean since? 😆

AFS1 · 24/05/2022 15:20

JulyDreams · 24/05/2022 15:15

I'm due with my first in a couple of months and I am absolutely DREADING school mum conflicts. This is just an example.

Please don’t dread it.
I’ve done school runs for nearly 10 years now (big age gap between my children). I’ve never had or seen any issue or conflict between any parent. Our school is a 4-class entry so there are A LOT of people waiting at the school gates, and not once have I picked up on any hostility. No-one gives a shit what anyone else is wearing, whether they’re a SAHM or dashing off to work, whether they drove or walked or cycled, whether their kid scoots along the pavement.

I either find some faces I recognise and stand and chat to them, or I wait on my own, usually playing or working on my phone. I actually look forward to the school pick-up on the days I can do it.

DanielRicciardosSmile · 24/05/2022 15:21

I'm not seeing any personal and nasty comments aimed at you, OP. Just a large amount of confusion. I'm wondering if you're a bit sensitive at the moment. It's easy to build things up into something they're not really when life us getting at you a bit.

TinaYouFatLard · 24/05/2022 15:22

Honestly, OP you are going to look batshit if you hold your ground on this one. If I were you I would unblock and send another message apologising for overreacting. Then gradually cool things off and reduce the play dates.

Wouldyabeguilty · 24/05/2022 15:23

I don't understand any of this at all and i have read it 6 times BUT honestly just let it go over your head. It doesn't matter, you have her blocked now so I doubt you will hear from her again.

Swayingpalmtrees · 24/05/2022 15:23

I would apologise to her.

Say she caught you on an off day and you are sorry for speaking to her like that, and hope you can both move on for the sake of the children. And then take a big step back.

It is not possible to see if she is someone kind doing lots of things for the school or a passive aggressive interfering entitled mother from hell from your posts, but either way it doesn't seem to be working for you, but don't ruin it for the boys by making such an issue of this.

On the face it, you were offered a form, thats all. She may have asked many more people before and after you were there - your money issues have made you hyper aware of more demands and you have been unreasonably upset by her suggestion. Just because you didn't see anyone being asked, does not mean anything as the people around you at the time could have been members by chance, and she was waiting for non members.

Be the bigger person and offer an adult apology and kick into the high grass, this is not worth being so sad about op.

RoonilWazlibb · 24/05/2022 15:24

Is this other mum quite well off?

And who had a split lip? Confused

Chikapu · 24/05/2022 15:24

I literally have nothing to add other can you please stop saying corona, no one calls it that.

BoredZelda · 24/05/2022 15:26

She means arguments, not actual fist fights, don't be silly.

Surely most have also managed 10 years of school gates without one of those.

Swipe left for the next trending thread