Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
jockeywilsonsaid · 01/07/2024 20:54

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.

I agree with this. I would confront her about saying unpleasant things about your daughter. That's not on at all. What an utter twat.

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 20:57

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

Thank you - I'm definitely leaning more towards this kind of response.

Thanks all for cooling my hot headed response!!

OP posts:
MadeForThis · 01/07/2024 20:58

What was the amazing message?

thestudio · 01/07/2024 20:59

I am not as circumspect/classy as others and I wouldn't in principle have a problem with confronting the mother.

BUT

  1. did she really say that? You can't know for sure.
  2. even if so, is her daughter weaponising her mother's words to belittle your own DD without appearing to do so?
  3. Will this be the end of the relationship? Probably. Will this make DD sad? Probably.
  4. Will the girl get in trouble ? Probably.

I think all these are good reasons not to go in all guns blazing.

I would throw away your first draft and see if you can draft another which hints that you may know the mother's real opinion of you but leaves you a LOT of wiggle room.

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 21:01

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.

Actually, this is good. Lets her know I know but also gives the impression I'm concerned she knows something. I might do this..

OP posts:
Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 21:02

I absolutely won't be posting anything on WhatsApp group chat - absolutely not!!! Don't know what I was thinking!

OP posts:
Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 21:04

I feel a bit sheepish now to post my 'masterpiece' (ha, I definitely over hyped it). May just leave that to your collective imagination!! (I like to think I kept it classy- ish)!

OP posts:
Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 21:06

thestudio · 01/07/2024 20:59

I am not as circumspect/classy as others and I wouldn't in principle have a problem with confronting the mother.

BUT

  1. did she really say that? You can't know for sure.
  2. even if so, is her daughter weaponising her mother's words to belittle your own DD without appearing to do so?
  3. Will this be the end of the relationship? Probably. Will this make DD sad? Probably.
  4. Will the girl get in trouble ? Probably.

I think all these are good reasons not to go in all guns blazing.

I would throw away your first draft and see if you can draft another which hints that you may know the mother's real opinion of you but leaves you a LOT of wiggle room.

Thank you- all good points and I think they probably override any need I have to say anything.

Although... Maybe I'll just drop a little hint.

OP posts:
Tagyoureit · 01/07/2024 21:07

Tell your DD that she has a really shit friend there! Why on earth is the friend repeating what her mum says when it's obvious that it could upset your DD?

I would certainly some something awfully sarcastic the next time I saw the mum, who I bet would be mortified if she knew her dd was repeating what she's said.

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 21:08

Tagyoureit · 01/07/2024 21:07

Tell your DD that she has a really shit friend there! Why on earth is the friend repeating what her mum says when it's obvious that it could upset your DD?

I would certainly some something awfully sarcastic the next time I saw the mum, who I bet would be mortified if she knew her dd was repeating what she's said.

I rarely see her (thankfully) but will be sure to do so!

OP posts:
TedWilson · 01/07/2024 21:12

The mum probably is a stuck up snob but I do wonder if the daughter is a shit stirrer who is leading your daughter down a path... watch her.

IdisagreeMrHochhauser · 01/07/2024 21:15

There could be some weird dynamics at play here because the girl is adopted. Perhaps her birth family are from a different social class to her adoptive parents. Perhaps the girl is very aware of that. Perhaps she is playing out some resentment towards her mother with your daughter and over egging what has been 'said' or insinuated. I wouldn't play into it. You don't know what she actually thinks and might end up in the middle of something.

Soukmyfalafel · 01/07/2024 21:20

You don't need to do anything. Just enjoy the fact that her snooty mum is probably despairing about their friendship, yet she has no control over it.

titchy · 01/07/2024 21:33

Tagyoureit · 01/07/2024 21:07

Tell your DD that she has a really shit friend there! Why on earth is the friend repeating what her mum says when it's obvious that it could upset your DD?

I would certainly some something awfully sarcastic the next time I saw the mum, who I bet would be mortified if she knew her dd was repeating what she's said.

Don't say anything FFS. This is a 13 year old, chatting shit. They all chat shit. A lot of it is made up over-dramatised bollocks. There may well be a modicum of truth but so what. You'll get far worse from both girls before they get better. You need to switch your drama llama off.

MamaSleep · 01/07/2024 21:39

I think the adoption here skews things slightly. There’s every chance this child is making it up/exaggerating somewhat. ACE can present in funny ways around the start of adolescence. There could be all sorts at play here, OP.

ChampagneLassie · 01/07/2024 21:42

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.

Agree, unless she’s ND she surely realises to not say this stuff? Or is this her own insecurity showing through? Seems a lot to unpick. I’d have a frank conversation with your daughter about whether things are nice or appropriate and people’s motivations and question whether this is a good relationship for her

Blueblell · 01/07/2024 22:16

Don’t say anything to the Mum, she is obviously a bit of a snob. She probably said those things sarcastically. Stay cool headed! Next time the friend is over, say I hope you haven’t brought any vapes with you!

YesIReallyDoLikeRootBeer · 01/07/2024 22:18

I know how upsetting it is when another parent doesnt like your child for no actual real reason. I moved to our home when my youngest DS was 8. He immediately made good friends with the two boys next door. For some reason we could never understand their mother hated my son. Their father liked my son though and it mostly did not effect their friendship. But left a bad taste in my mouth. They ended up moving when the boys were all around 13ish. About a year later the mother posted on the town FB page complaining about how other parents needed to parent their kids better and that they were getting her older son into drugs. I felt bad for the boy, because I did like him, but boy did I want to respond to her post so badly. Treating my son like he was a horrible and would be a bad influence on her boy. But I didnt, although I do occasionally think I wish I had posted some tongue-in-cheek sympathy. My son is now 21 and is doing very well. He would have been a great life long friend for sons. So as much as it would be satisfying I think the smartest thing to do is not say anything.

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 22:35

YesIReallyDoLikeRootBeer · 01/07/2024 22:18

I know how upsetting it is when another parent doesnt like your child for no actual real reason. I moved to our home when my youngest DS was 8. He immediately made good friends with the two boys next door. For some reason we could never understand their mother hated my son. Their father liked my son though and it mostly did not effect their friendship. But left a bad taste in my mouth. They ended up moving when the boys were all around 13ish. About a year later the mother posted on the town FB page complaining about how other parents needed to parent their kids better and that they were getting her older son into drugs. I felt bad for the boy, because I did like him, but boy did I want to respond to her post so badly. Treating my son like he was a horrible and would be a bad influence on her boy. But I didnt, although I do occasionally think I wish I had posted some tongue-in-cheek sympathy. My son is now 21 and is doing very well. He would have been a great life long friend for sons. So as much as it would be satisfying I think the smartest thing to do is not say anything.

What a ridiculous woman! To me this sounds like massive insecurity in her own parenting, and the attitude that she (and by extension her son) can do no wrong.- everything is always someone else's fault. It's how I felt about this woman trying to blame her daughter's penchant for junk food on me/my daughter.

They seriously need to take the pole out of their arses!

OP posts:
Emptyheadlock · 01/07/2024 22:42

I grew up poor on a council estate.

My best mate at 6th form was from a super wealthy family.

I was welcomed with open arms. And my mate loved being at mine too. Because they are good, decent people who don't look down on anyone.

This says more about them than you imo.

easilydistracted1 · 01/07/2024 22:47

I'm not saying she's not awful because she sounds it. But she could be highly anxious being a parent of an adopted child who is currently enjoying the joys of teenagehood and possibly pushing the boundaries. She may not have experience of a diverse group of families and be fretting based on the wrong evidence. I guess it probably didn't help when you weren't keen to have her to yours although I can see the reasons. It sounds like the girls get on well and are overall good friends. I agree with the idea of sending her a concerned messaging relating to keeping your daughter safe from suggestions of vaping etc. And also taking the word of teens who sometimes do love drama with a pinch of salt. I'm glad you've come to your senses about the group chat

Acapulco12 · 01/07/2024 22:54

Please don’t post anything publicly. I know it’s so incredibly tempting to, but if you do, you’re just stooping down to the other Mum’s level. Please try and resist! So much easier said than done, I know.

This is just my interpretation of the situation, but I have a feeling that you’d like to post your message publicly - either in the group or by sending it to the Mum - because you’re understandably proud of it and because it’ll help give you closure if you post it.

May I suggest you post your message here instead? It’ll give you some of that satisfaction, but with no stakes, so it’ll be safe. Of course, it goes without saying for you to feel free to change/delete as many identifying details before posting here. (Also, full disclosure - I’m nosey and would love to see what your message said 😂).

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 22:54

Emptyheadlock · 01/07/2024 22:42

I grew up poor on a council estate.

My best mate at 6th form was from a super wealthy family.

I was welcomed with open arms. And my mate loved being at mine too. Because they are good, decent people who don't look down on anyone.

This says more about them than you imo.

That's lovely ❤️

OP posts:
Acapulco12 · 01/07/2024 22:55

Emptyheadlock · 01/07/2024 22:42

I grew up poor on a council estate.

My best mate at 6th form was from a super wealthy family.

I was welcomed with open arms. And my mate loved being at mine too. Because they are good, decent people who don't look down on anyone.

This says more about them than you imo.

❤️❤️

Buddhistretreatwithcrisps · 01/07/2024 23:01

@easilydistracted1 and @Acapulco12
Thanks, I agree with you both.
And @Acapulco12 , I respect and admire your persuasive ways 😂!

I've actually come up with a new one (so far unsent - but what do you think?):

Hi! Hope you're well?
Just a heads up- it might be wise to be a bit more discreet around what you say in front of (name)
Of course, if you have genuine reason to think my daughter's involved in unsavoury or indeed criminal activity then I'd be very keen to hear it straight from you.

Thanks so much.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread