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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:
5128gap · 24/05/2022 19:03

It sounds to me as if being around this woman makes you feel inferior. You feel she judged your decision to hold a party, and would have judged you for the split lip (which is irrelevant to her and to the situation with her, but almost like you're seeing it through her eyes), and now you are assuming she is showing you up for your financial situation, when there's no evidence of that in your post
I'm guessing she seems well off, confident, assertive and at the centre of things. But none of that makes her better than you, and you don't have to have her approval of your choices and your situation.
If I were you I'd avoid her in future, as contact with her isn't going to enhance your life.

Bambi7 · 24/05/2022 19:09

Through my experience some school mums are d**ks. I wouldn't worry about it.

countvoncount · 24/05/2022 19:15

Defcon 1 level 5 batshittery behaviour this
I can picture the other woman scratching her head in utter confusion

failingtomatoes · 24/05/2022 19:17

I think these are two separate issues. You want us to agree with you that she deserved the telling off from you because of how she's behaved in the past.
But that's on you. You've accepted all her shit and she makes an unrelated comment which you have (possibly misunderstood) as a question about your finances and you've given her a telling off. Actually you're annoyed about her previous behaviour and today was the icing on the cake but not actually her fault. Your inability to challenge shitty behaviour does not give you a free pass to lose your temper.

carefullycourageous · 24/05/2022 19:28

I will start by saying I have an unblemished 10 year record of no fights with school mums amazing Grin

clpsmum · 24/05/2022 19:33

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.

This. Think it's really odd your so offended that she gave you a form and asked if you'd like to join

feistymumma · 24/05/2022 19:36

I am not sure what the issue is to be honest. She asked if you were a member and you said no, would you like a form (can't remember your reply) then next minute you are texting her that she was rude. You are the one who was rude OP

Ryanstartedthefire2 · 24/05/2022 19:50

YABU. You sound very highly strung. Are you stressed about other things and this was the straw that broke the camels back maybe? Or do you not have anything more significant to worry about? I can't see what the other person actually did wrong.

whataboutbob · 24/05/2022 19:53

I can also see that this woman is annoying and patronising. I don’t feel you are imagining it. Unfortunately the dynamics amongst mothers at primary school can all get very competitive and dare I say it childish. I didn’t gel with 95% of the mums in my DS1s class and felt rather socially inadequate. There were the queen bees, the women excluding others etc etc. Thank goodness it’s all a lot calmer at secondary school. I think the best thing is to take a big step back and keep contacts with this woman as low as possible.

Intrigueddotcom · 24/05/2022 20:00

it was within rules at the time, every other parent RSVP'd yes in record time just to get a break

out of interest, why would they “need a break” if life was all back to normal to extent that class parties were allowed?

anotheronenow · 24/05/2022 20:05

PAFMO · 24/05/2022 14:56

I think we've enough backstory to keep us going all afternoon in fairness.
None of which makes any sense.

Was the child who got the split lip at your house her child? Why is it a good thing that nobody gave a shit about a child getting a split lip (hint: it's not) Was she at the party with the split lip episode? Despite not wanting the party? She was the only one who cared about the SL episode? But wasn't there because it was a Covid risk?

I feel like I've been drinking. I might start.

Yes, all this. Thanks for typing it out so I didn't have to...

ChewtonBunny · 24/05/2022 20:07

"I will start by saying I have an unblemished 10 year record of no fights with school mums."

That's a pretty low bar tbf

anotheronenow · 24/05/2022 20:07

carefullycourageous · 24/05/2022 19:28

I will start by saying I have an unblemished 10 year record of no fights with school mums amazing Grin

And.... <misses point of thread>> I'm here for comments like this one, nearly spat my coffee out. Thanks @carefullycourageous.

Sorry OP but this is a bit of a batshit thread right? YABU.

alwaysandtogether · 24/05/2022 20:29

I got completely lost by there being a coffee morning at school pickup time (which is surely in the afternoon, not the morning) .

Lagertha6 · 24/05/2022 20:34

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.

Why are you worrying over financial stuff if its a volunteer Programme?

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 20:43

@Lagertha6 Ahhh sorry, I didn't say that in my OP. It's a parent-funded club. Reasonably high voluntary payments each month (maybe half our weekly food shop) which we made by direct debit until well into the pandemic when we had to cancel as things got tight. So by asking loudly if I was a member she was asking if I had been paying, and I hadn't. And I felt bad about that.

OP posts:
Lagertha6 · 24/05/2022 20:46

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 20:43

@Lagertha6 Ahhh sorry, I didn't say that in my OP. It's a parent-funded club. Reasonably high voluntary payments each month (maybe half our weekly food shop) which we made by direct debit until well into the pandemic when we had to cancel as things got tight. So by asking loudly if I was a member she was asking if I had been paying, and I hadn't. And I felt bad about that.

Oh I see. Then yes she's being rude and don't blame you for being annoyed.

Johnnysgirl · 24/05/2022 20:46

What sort of club offering free activities to the kids in their lunch breaks demands a donation of half your weekly food bill?

alwaysandtogether · 24/05/2022 20:48

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 20:43

@Lagertha6 Ahhh sorry, I didn't say that in my OP. It's a parent-funded club. Reasonably high voluntary payments each month (maybe half our weekly food shop) which we made by direct debit until well into the pandemic when we had to cancel as things got tight. So by asking loudly if I was a member she was asking if I had been paying, and I hadn't. And I felt bad about that.

After this post I honestly think you just need to work on your self esteem. You made a choice not to waste money on something your child didn't use. You are being hyper sensitive about money and taking it out on this woman.

Oblomov22 · 24/05/2022 20:53

I can't work out what she said that was so wrong. All wierd.

WonderingWanda · 24/05/2022 21:03

Op I think people are being a bit mean. I am picturing Amanda from Motherland (google it if you've not watched it) a sort of alpha Mum. Nosey, bossy busybody type. I'm astobished she teied to tell you what to do for your childs birthday party. You probably overreacted in this instance but I totally get that some people can trigger you with subtle digs that seem polite and concerned on the surface but you know they are really just trying to make you feel a bit crap. The trick is to recognise them for being a dick and not give them any more headspace.

pollyglot · 24/05/2022 21:25

Wait, what? Parents run lunchtime clubs in British schools? Parents pay for someone else to run lunchtime clubs? Don't teachers run lunchtime clubs? Why do they cost so much?

blueishvase · 24/05/2022 21:25

@WonderingWanda I was talking about this with a friend and she told me to watch Motherland. I have had some really good advice and feedback on here along with the goady posts but to be expected from AIBU.

Definitely overreacted in this instance which is annoying as she has never before got a rise out of me, but I did have a lot on my mind on the day. Am going to genuinely try not to give her any more headspace. Thank you.

OP posts:
blueishvase · 24/05/2022 21:26

@pollyglot This is not in the UK. And yes they cost a lot, which is why we stopped paying our monthly contribution.

OP posts:
NewYorkLassie · 24/05/2022 21:33

I will start by saying I have an unblemished 10 year record of no fights with school mums.

can’t get passed your first sentence. Well done you?