Am I right to be annoyed or BU

[Annoye]

I’m feeling really annoyed right now but not sure if others would feel the same as I can’t obviously ask people in RL!

My child has got a place in our local grammar, it’s not a top grammar by any means but you do have to pass a test to get in like any other selective schools. Random people I barely know have found out from my friends /family and just contact me out of the blue to find out exactly how we did it. I was okay in the beginning and genuinely wanted to give people advice as I got no advice when we were trying so I could understand how they are feeling. But it’s getting to the point now where they are annoying me. They think I have a magic formula which I don’t!

Most recent one wanted to know everything like his actual score etc. I don’t like these conversations, especially when my son is listening in I don’t know why but I’m feeling annoyed and uncomfortable - would you also be annoyed by all this attention?

I think it's okay to feel annoyed if you're getting hounded by people you hardly know, but now you need to find a way to manage it.

How are they contacting you? I hope no one is giving out your personal number to acquaintances, so if it's on social media, can you change your settings to prevent non-friends messaging you? Or would you feel able to read the message but refrain from responding? As someone who hates the expectation of constant availability and instant response, I do have a tendency to leave messages unread for a while, then review the message and either reply, apologising for the delay, or just read the message and never reply (depends on who it is, of course).

Perhaps you could have a reply drafted in your phone's notes, which states it's a generic reply with basic information as so many people are asking you. Then set out what you are happy to share, even if it doesn't answer the specific person's queries. You are allowed boundaries.

It'll die down soon enough. Try and take it in good humour and as a compliment. But change the subject if your kid is in the room.

Just say s/he doesn't want to talk so much about school before s/he's even started there yet!

And obviously don't share scores etc if you and child aren't comfortable doing so.

I'd ignore their texts and not answer their calls. I'd likely block. I'm sooooo busy, you see. 🤔

Random people I barely know have found out from my friends /family and just contact me out of the blue to find out exactly how we did it.

You should be more annoyed at your family and friends for giving random people you hardly know your phone number/contact details.

I would just send a vague an not particularly helpful response. Something like "We did an activity book together each week. I bought X book but there are lots of others on Amazon". If they respond asking for more, ignore them.

Be honest…. How many people have actually contacted you?

Honest I said!!

So I’ll guess one maybe two at a push

Do they even give the score where you are? My son got in to grammar and they say on the letter that scores are not given out.

Anyway, as others said what is it that makes people think you know more than anyone else about getting in to grammar? If anyone asked me my answer would be that we did some timed papers at home, some mocks by a (name) company and that it was all down to him, no tutoring involved. No magic tricks and surely anyone looking at grammar knows to do the practice papers (and on our local schools they link to some for parents to access for free).

Is your son perhaps viewed as not academic which is why everyone seems to think you might have a magic solution? Maybe they think you had a tutor that works wonders.

It reads as if your son isn't particularly academic so people are therefore intrigued how he got in.

Just say he studied hard every day.

"Oh, just have a look at thheir website and if info isn't on there, give them a ring. Bye!"

I've just failed my grammar test 🤣

I'd actually be tempted to say that entry is assured if you offer the head a hefty donation.

This makes sense