School gate hell!!

[Popcornlassie28]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for such a whining post but I wanted to know if anyone else feels the way I do and how they have tackled it.

My daughter is in Reception at school and she moved in December to her new school- so really early into the year.

None of the other Mum’s talk to me or even say ‘Hello’. I’m the only parent who stands alone while others all stand in their groups. I’ve tried with quite a few Mum’s but get often got a cold response so I have given up trying. I used to make an effort to say ‘Good morning’ etc and met with gritted teeth faces. I felt humiliated.

During school holidays, a lot of the Mum’s have ‘play dates’ which my daughter has never been invited to and when she goes back to school asks me why she wasn’t invited.

Please say I’m not the only one! I know it’s petty but I’ve cried over this and it’s really effected my self esteem. I don’t know what I have done so wrong to these women!!

I dread drop offs and pick ups to the point I have to mentally prepare myself to be stood alone and being stared at. :(

No but you should be civil and respond when someone says good morning to you. You don't blank people. That's just rude.

I get accused of being cliquey because I talk to my friends at the school gate! I always smile and say hello to everyone though and I add new parents to the class WhatsApp, make sure they are invited to any coffees after drop off etc.

I’m rubbish on play dates though as I work and DS is training for a sport which has multiple practices/training sessions after school so logistically I can’t manage it. I try to make up for it in the holidays though.

There’s rude people everywhere in life unfortunately and there’s no excuse for blanking people or being rude unless there’s a big drip feed coming about how you beat up their 99 year old Nan. You’ve had some good advice here.

You're met with gritted teeth faces? Really? From everyone in the class? Is it possible that this is in your head?

I don't think most people have the time, inclination or energy to pull faces or be deliberately rude to other mums on the school run. Everyone is just trying to get their kids to school and get on with their day. People might know each other well as they might have older children in the same classes further up the school. This doesn't mean they want to deliberately exclude you. Keep trying. Say hello. Suggest the park after school. Invite people to your house. Join (or start) a class WhatsApp group.

Do any of the kids play sports together? Joining the local cricket team where loads of DS’s classmates played was a great way to get to know others

I like keeping to myself, but I make an effort to be friendly with my kids friends parents. I haven't rtft but have you tried hanging about in the local park after pick up? Might be a more relaxed way of meeting the other parents.