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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To either send this via text- or even better, post on a group chat...

71 replies

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 20:18

Apologies, this is (as with all my posts- under whichever name I've used!) way longer than intended.

TLDR - do I (publicly or otherwise) hold my snobby, nasty neighbour to account for insulting my child (and me)?

Some background:

Single mum to 13 year old daughter. She's not seen her (another's thread's worth) dad for 10 years and he pays no maintenance, no contact, lies to CMS, abusive, etc etc. (only vaguely relevant here).

I have my own issues with dd at home, but ultimately she's polite to others, is bright (but doesn't try her best at school) and caring. She wears too much makeup for my liking, rolls her school skirt too short but not unlike the vast majority of year 8 girls IME. Anyway, I've seen worse!!

As for me- i keep myself to myself, love time alone and absolutely don't get involved in dramas (even typing that made me cringe).

Final background info- we live in a small flat but on a fairly nice road with some big detached houses.

Last year, she made a friend down the road (goes to a different school). They get on well. Girl seems nice, fun, bright and a bit quirky - maybe slightly wild (but not in a bad way)- hence they get on! Not sure it's relevant, but she is adopted, and an only child.

After a few times hanging out on our road, her mum calls round to say hi- basically, to check me out. I didn't invite her in- only because I never invite anyone in as, much as I hate to be, I'm quite ashamed of our flat and the look of the communal hallway. But we chatted outside the front door for a minute or two.

She then invited me round for a drink one Friday eve shortly after (to complete the vetting process). She's definitely not my kind of person (Mrs Bouquet) and seemed v keen on boasting about her many parties with all the other (wealthy) neighbours - but i thought we had a fairly amicable evening.. although i do recall leaving with a bit of a bad taste in my mouth - couldn't quite put my finger on it (to mix my metaphors!) and i remember her reply to my friendly text, thanking her for a lovely evening, was a bit dry.

Whatever, I really wasn't interested in being friends, just glad to get the dreaded drink over with.

Anyway, since then, her daughter has told mine on several occasions that her mum isn't keen on them meeting up because she thinks I'm 'sketchy' (apparently on account of the fact that she doesn't know me) and that my daughter, too, is 'sketchy' (i imagine this may well be the dd's own interpretation of a different word).

But still - having half ignored it initially thinking I can't take it at face value, I've heard it said now several times, not to mention some other obvious signs she looks down on me: she recently insinuated in text that her dd only buys junk food when she's with mine (after having also recently patronised me about having to 'clip their wings' ).

I had also always noticed that she never had my d to their house despite her daughter having been here numerous times (presumably because it helped her out). We've never really communicated with each other apart from a few texts very recently.

ANYWAY - to the point.

Today, my dd tells me her friend wasn't allowed out at first because - to quote the quote from her friend, at least:-

"My mum thinks you look like the kind of girl who steals vapes and alcohol from the corner shop".

My questions are:

A) Do I text her about this? (Don't say no- I've composed a masterpiece!)

B) or........ Do I post said text on the neighbourly group WhatsApp (either accidentally, or just brazenly tagging her)?

My obvious problem is I can't be certain she even said those things - but my gut says she absolutely did.

If I do the group chat thing, is that just giving her license to call me the 'sketchy chav' she thinks I am??

OP posts:
KrisAkabusi · 01/07/2024 20:27

No. Don't post anything public. That just brings you down to her level.

SausageRoll2020 · 01/07/2024 20:27

Oh god, don't post on the neighbourhood WhatsApp, if anything that'll cement her idea of you (washing dirty laundry in public)

The girls are 13, they can sort out their own friendship, you're probably best staying out of it.

Tempted to ask you to share your masterpiece composition though so we can all be nosy 👀

Shoxfordian · 01/07/2024 20:28

You don't get involved in drama but want to post this all over Facebook or on WhatsApp. OK.

Lostworlds · 01/07/2024 20:30

No don’t post it online! It won’t make you look any better and will probably have most people siding with her.

Julyshouldbesunny · 01/07/2024 20:31

I was your dd as a teen. Bffs df hated me. Snobby twat all over. And his dw was hideous to my mate.. As in rabbit died and sm pretended the evening meal was poor Bunny. He got a Very Important Job quite a distance. He left his 15yo dd living with us!! At 16 he paid for her a bedsit!! They are no better than you op. The poor dd prob loves being with you and your dd. Would you want your dc hanging out over there anyway?

Fraaahnces · 01/07/2024 20:33

Maybe ask advice in the fb group. Be sure to let them know dad has fucked off and pays no cms, etc, and how other kid is allowed to visit when it suits other mum, and seems to shoot off at the mouth to regurgitate hurtful stereotypes like above.

TheLastTimeEver · 01/07/2024 20:33

It was told to your DD by another friend. Not an actual text that you’ve seen?

TheLastTimeEver · 01/07/2024 20:34

Fraaahnces · 01/07/2024 20:33

Maybe ask advice in the fb group. Be sure to let them know dad has fucked off and pays no cms, etc, and how other kid is allowed to visit when it suits other mum, and seems to shoot off at the mouth to regurgitate hurtful stereotypes like above.

Yeah, that’s classy 🤨

Skybluepinky · 01/07/2024 20:37

Just ignore, by posting stuff u r living up to what she thinks u r.

opalsandcoffee · 01/07/2024 20:39

This girl is adopted. Of course that is relevant. she is far more likely to have issues of all kinds than a child who is lucky enough to be brought up in a secure loving birth family.

Just don't respond. Be natural and friendly with mum and daughter, when you meet them, and don't go out of your way to meet them when you dont want to

Spirallingdownwards · 01/07/2024 20:39

I remember a posher school friend's parents not being keen on me for being not from a nicer part of town. I went on to be a city lawyer. She works in a chip van. I remember her mum's face when we bumped into them in London one day and she asked what I was up to these days and I told her. Her lips screwed up like a cat's bum.

desperatedaysareover · 01/07/2024 20:40

Slightly different perspective. My mum and dad found some problem with every friend and boyfriend I ever had, apart from one. I didn’t go telling them the shit my parents said cos what were they supposed to do about it?

If DD’s little pal has a snobbish judgemental mother she might want to learn to be a bit more discreet about repeating the crap her mum is spouting. I don’t like the fact your DD is getting judged on appearances rather than character either but I don’t think it’s a route for happiness to either girl for them to bring their mothers into it. If they’re old enough to wear makeup they’re old enough to learn what to say and to whom. What good does it do your daughter to hear this bile, really? So I definitely wouldn’t dignify this crap, if it was even said, with ANY response.

Spirallingdownwards · 01/07/2024 20:41

Don't respond at all either directly and definitely not in a group chat.

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 20:41

Shoxfordian · 01/07/2024 20:28

You don't get involved in drama but want to post this all over Facebook or on WhatsApp. OK.

Well, quite.

OP posts:
Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 20:42

Ok, thanks all- good to get a general consensus and drag my head out of the 'drama' rabbit hole!!

OP posts:
Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 20:43

desperatedaysareover · 01/07/2024 20:40

Slightly different perspective. My mum and dad found some problem with every friend and boyfriend I ever had, apart from one. I didn’t go telling them the shit my parents said cos what were they supposed to do about it?

If DD’s little pal has a snobbish judgemental mother she might want to learn to be a bit more discreet about repeating the crap her mum is spouting. I don’t like the fact your DD is getting judged on appearances rather than character either but I don’t think it’s a route for happiness to either girl for them to bring their mothers into it. If they’re old enough to wear makeup they’re old enough to learn what to say and to whom. What good does it do your daughter to hear this bile, really? So I definitely wouldn’t dignify this crap, if it was even said, with ANY response.

My parents were very judgy about my friends - they were never good enough - and I resented it.

OP posts:
Mummy2024 · 01/07/2024 20:43

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 20:18

Apologies, this is (as with all my posts- under whichever name I've used!) way longer than intended.

TLDR - do I (publicly or otherwise) hold my snobby, nasty neighbour to account for insulting my child (and me)?

Some background:

Single mum to 13 year old daughter. She's not seen her (another's thread's worth) dad for 10 years and he pays no maintenance, no contact, lies to CMS, abusive, etc etc. (only vaguely relevant here).

I have my own issues with dd at home, but ultimately she's polite to others, is bright (but doesn't try her best at school) and caring. She wears too much makeup for my liking, rolls her school skirt too short but not unlike the vast majority of year 8 girls IME. Anyway, I've seen worse!!

As for me- i keep myself to myself, love time alone and absolutely don't get involved in dramas (even typing that made me cringe).

Final background info- we live in a small flat but on a fairly nice road with some big detached houses.

Last year, she made a friend down the road (goes to a different school). They get on well. Girl seems nice, fun, bright and a bit quirky - maybe slightly wild (but not in a bad way)- hence they get on! Not sure it's relevant, but she is adopted, and an only child.

After a few times hanging out on our road, her mum calls round to say hi- basically, to check me out. I didn't invite her in- only because I never invite anyone in as, much as I hate to be, I'm quite ashamed of our flat and the look of the communal hallway. But we chatted outside the front door for a minute or two.

She then invited me round for a drink one Friday eve shortly after (to complete the vetting process). She's definitely not my kind of person (Mrs Bouquet) and seemed v keen on boasting about her many parties with all the other (wealthy) neighbours - but i thought we had a fairly amicable evening.. although i do recall leaving with a bit of a bad taste in my mouth - couldn't quite put my finger on it (to mix my metaphors!) and i remember her reply to my friendly text, thanking her for a lovely evening, was a bit dry.

Whatever, I really wasn't interested in being friends, just glad to get the dreaded drink over with.

Anyway, since then, her daughter has told mine on several occasions that her mum isn't keen on them meeting up because she thinks I'm 'sketchy' (apparently on account of the fact that she doesn't know me) and that my daughter, too, is 'sketchy' (i imagine this may well be the dd's own interpretation of a different word).

But still - having half ignored it initially thinking I can't take it at face value, I've heard it said now several times, not to mention some other obvious signs she looks down on me: she recently insinuated in text that her dd only buys junk food when she's with mine (after having also recently patronised me about having to 'clip their wings' ).

I had also always noticed that she never had my d to their house despite her daughter having been here numerous times (presumably because it helped her out). We've never really communicated with each other apart from a few texts very recently.

ANYWAY - to the point.

Today, my dd tells me her friend wasn't allowed out at first because - to quote the quote from her friend, at least:-

"My mum thinks you look like the kind of girl who steals vapes and alcohol from the corner shop".

My questions are:

A) Do I text her about this? (Don't say no- I've composed a masterpiece!)

B) or........ Do I post said text on the neighbourly group WhatsApp (either accidentally, or just brazenly tagging her)?

My obvious problem is I can't be certain she even said those things - but my gut says she absolutely did.

If I do the group chat thing, is that just giving her license to call me the 'sketchy chav' she thinks I am??

If you do either of these the girl will get in trouble and then break friends fully with your DD. I mean that may or may not be a bad thing I dunno, it's not like they go to the same school or anything, so won't be that bad but depends what your daughter wants.

I'd text the mum and say you know she's said your sketchy and your sorry you seem that way but you have desperate anxiety have had a terrible time in the past and these words are bringing back past traumas. I'd make her feel absolutely terrible and say your daughter hasn't left her room since she found out she basicly called her an addict chav. I'd really lay it on thick.

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 20:43

Spirallingdownwards · 01/07/2024 20:39

I remember a posher school friend's parents not being keen on me for being not from a nicer part of town. I went on to be a city lawyer. She works in a chip van. I remember her mum's face when we bumped into them in London one day and she asked what I was up to these days and I told her. Her lips screwed up like a cat's bum.

Edited

I love this!

OP posts:
Fargo79 · 01/07/2024 20:44

If you post anything publicly then you'll be playing into the exact stereotype she's branding you with. It's not classy, it's dramatic and yes, it's a bit chavvy.

Tbh although it would make my blood boil to have these things said about my daughter, the best advice is probably to completely ignore her. Especially since you don't even know with absolute certainty that she's said this stuff.

She's an awful human being and you don't need to text her or speak with her anymore. I would strictly ban my child from visiting her house as I wouldn't have them under someone's roof who harboured such disgusting views about them. If I thought the girl was nice and was a good friend to mine, I'd still allow her to visit my place. But if she kept divulging these comments her mum had made then I'd potentially be having a word with her along the lines of "please don't keep repeating the horrible things that your mother says about us. We love to spend time with you, but we don't want to hear her insults thank you very much. Best just to keep them to yourself".

RockyRogue1001 · 01/07/2024 20:44

Definitely don't, but I'd like to see the message you composed?

But still definitely don't!

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 20:45

Fargo79 · 01/07/2024 20:44

If you post anything publicly then you'll be playing into the exact stereotype she's branding you with. It's not classy, it's dramatic and yes, it's a bit chavvy.

Tbh although it would make my blood boil to have these things said about my daughter, the best advice is probably to completely ignore her. Especially since you don't even know with absolute certainty that she's said this stuff.

She's an awful human being and you don't need to text her or speak with her anymore. I would strictly ban my child from visiting her house as I wouldn't have them under someone's roof who harboured such disgusting views about them. If I thought the girl was nice and was a good friend to mine, I'd still allow her to visit my place. But if she kept divulging these comments her mum had made then I'd potentially be having a word with her along the lines of "please don't keep repeating the horrible things that your mother says about us. We love to spend time with you, but we don't want to hear her insults thank you very much. Best just to keep them to yourself".

This is great advice. Thank you.

OP posts:
Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 01/07/2024 20:45

Perhaps send her a pre-emptive text along the lines of, DD was upset today by something you apparently said about her. Do you have any evidence of her stealing vapes or indeed anything else? Can you shed any light? Etc. If she tries to justify it then give her both barrels. Not in the public group though.
I want to see the masterpiece btw.

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 20:46

Mummy2024 · 01/07/2024 20:43

If you do either of these the girl will get in trouble and then break friends fully with your DD. I mean that may or may not be a bad thing I dunno, it's not like they go to the same school or anything, so won't be that bad but depends what your daughter wants.

I'd text the mum and say you know she's said your sketchy and your sorry you seem that way but you have desperate anxiety have had a terrible time in the past and these words are bringing back past traumas. I'd make her feel absolutely terrible and say your daughter hasn't left her room since she found out she basicly called her an addict chav. I'd really lay it on thick.

I don't think this is any less than she deserves - thanks for the idea!

OP posts:
titchy · 01/07/2024 20:53

So all of this is the word of two 13 year olds? The mother herself hasn't called you anything? Fuck me OP you are wanting to create a mountain Sherpa Tensing would struggle over out of a couple of teenagers being teenagers. Wow. You would be absolutely fruitloop to do anything.

The mother may well be a stuck up arse and not approve of you (though she hasn't stopped her dd coming over has she?), but leave it. If either of them say anything just say 'I don't want to hear it girls. Please talk about something else in front of me.'

twohotwaterbottles · 01/07/2024 20:54

There's some great advice in this thread. Go grey rock with the mum. She can boil her own head. Tell the child that she is welcome at yours without the repetition of nasty comments, but not with them. If it persists, she doesn't come around. If the girls want to remain friends, they'll find a way. Don't give this awful woman any more space in your head. She doesn't deserve your time x