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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have had a go at these 'mums' in the playground?

120 replies

innapropriate · 15/12/2008 12:18

It's DDs christmas party today and we were asked to take crisps in. So I sent DD with a paper plater with four packets of crisps on it (still in their bags obviously) covered with cling foil.

When we got to the school gate DD ran off to play and then returned to say I had to take the crisps off the plate as her friends were taking the mick out of her. All of the other kids that had taken crisps had just taken a multipack bag of crisps in as they are.

I told her not to be silly and to cut a long story short, when I walked her to her line I heard one of the other mothers saying to her son "give me your biscuits so I can present them on a plate nicely with clingfilm" and she and a few other mums started laughing.

DD was looking daggers at me so I asked the woman if she had a problem and she said "no, I just don't like the way you have to try and go one better than everyone else all the time". All this because I put the crisps on a bloody plate??

OP posts:

snowleopard · 15/12/2008 13:02

I mean let's face it. You thought to provide a plate. You are one better. Maybe tell her that! "I know it's hard when you fail to shine in the fried snack decorative display department. But try to swallow your bitterness, you don't want the children to see you just giving up like this. There are courses you can go on you know". Dazzling smile. Walk away.

controlfreakyhohohohohohoho · 15/12/2008 13:02

make the rudolphs out of cocktail sausages and cocktail sticks.... fab!

Lockets · 15/12/2008 13:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bullet123 · 15/12/2008 13:05

It makes sense to me. There were only 4 packets of crisps and I presume more than 4 children in the class. So the plate allows the teacher to empty the crisps onto the plate so that there's no fighting over packets. And the cling film stops the packets sliding off the plate.

FrostytheSurfmum · 15/12/2008 13:06

I can't even bake cakes for the school fete .

WinkyWinkola · 15/12/2008 13:06

What weird people to think that putting crisps on a plate with cling film is you trying to go one better than everyone else.

Oh dear.

I would really not even bother with these pond life. Is the school playground the only place you encounter them? I hope so.

I dread when my DCs start school.

I'm going to be very smiley and friendly but never ever ever have a conversation of any import with any of the other mothers.

Hopefully, they'll see me just as frothy and dim but perfectly nice and just bugger off and leave me and my DCs in peace.

moopymoo · 15/12/2008 13:08

have been thinking about this thread. I think if this was me I would be really worried about the whole tone that was set between the mums and children. All very unpleasant and wil no doubt be picked up by the kids. And, though I understand you were really rattled op, going up to a mum and saying 'have you got a problem' is probably never a good idea. Hackles up all round then. Why are we all so rough on each other. Think I would be speaking to the head in the new year about this pervading attitude and looking for some positive parenting classes in school.

randomxmas · 15/12/2008 13:08

Your idea of the paper plate would have been helpful to the teacher as she could have the crisps ready to serve with no fuss. This was very thoughtful of you.

The other parents are just stupid, ignorant people - IGNORE them.

wideratthehips · 15/12/2008 13:10

this is the sort of thing i would have done too, easier to carry a plate for a lo and then theres somewhere to put the crisps on when they are opened. what year is your dd in?

the thought of a group of mothers standing around laughing about this and then their children having a go at your daughter sounds bonkers...some people get the hump about weird things... an eighbour said to me the other day ' oh i saw you all going off on the car the other day when it was lovely weather and i though there such a bloody perfect family we were going to get our christmas tree........

FlirtyThirty · 15/12/2008 13:10

What absolutely stupid women...!
They really do have nothing to do or think about if that's the best they can come up with to talk about...

What amuses me is that they think putting some crisps on a plate is a somewhat radical...hardly pulling out all the culinary stops and taking your finest china in, is it!

Ignore and don't give them a second thought. Just walk away...they are pathetic.

tootyflooty · 15/12/2008 13:20

what horrid parents, it's odd anyone would have even passed comment on how you sent your contribution in, they sound like the sort of parents who would raise their children to be critical bullies. Send it your stuff as you want to, infact next year do something really fancy and outrageous, just for the look on their faces. Explain to your child how rude and impolite they were so he knows who has the better parent.

piscesmoon · 15/12/2008 13:21

I wouldn't give it a second thought-it doesn't matter in the slightest!

dingdong05 · 15/12/2008 13:28

Was there anything other than crisps at this thing?

Poins · 15/12/2008 13:31

Silly cows. There's just no need is there unless you are desperately petty. There's a good Jane Austin quote about stuff like this. I'll try and find it.

Kitteh · 15/12/2008 13:35

YANBU.. i think its disgusting that a parent would verbally insult someone in front of their child.. Wow that really gives the right message to their kids doesnt it.. "its ok to be a bully btw kids..!!"
I think its nice of you to make it easier for the teacher..

spokette · 15/12/2008 13:37

OP, YANBU

It is threads like these which reinforces why I am glad that I drop off DTS to breakfast club at 7.30 am. When I do have the misfortune to have to venture into the playground, I keep myself to myself.

What is the big deal deal about how someone decides to present food anyway? Are we not all individuals and entitled to not follow the herd mentality? If how someone has presented a few packet of crisps is all people have to bitch about, their lives must be very empty.

Simplysally · 15/12/2008 13:41

They should have been hand-cut crisps on a rustic wooden platter (hewn by yourself that very morning) if you're going to ponce things up like that.

Yes the other Mums were rude but let it go.

thegreatescape · 15/12/2008 13:53

I would have looked crestfallen and said 'Oh no, I didn't know the 'crisp protocol' - let me write that down' then earnestly produced pad and pen and made the woman go through, step by step, exactly what the 'crisp protocol' was, e.g.
all crisps should be given in original,unopened, multipack packaging
No 'own brands' allowed
No 'pseudo' crisps allowed - e.g. parsnip shavings
Crisps include hula hoops and skips as well as the 'traditional' crisp as produced by walkers/smiths

etc. Childish snidey cow.

ChristmasDisco · 15/12/2008 13:59

I too don't understand why you felt the need to wrap up with plates and clingfilm when you could've taken a multibag in. Other mums were rude though but perhaps you are annoying them if you have to 'dress' things up unnecessarily each time. They could've kept quiet.

misshardbroom · 15/12/2008 14:06

Yes, but why should anybody feel threatened by the OP's paper plates? I honestly don't see why anyone would be annoyed by her 'dressing things up unnecessarily'.

If she wants to reuse a chocolate box to provide each crisp in its own little hole... why would you be offended?

I doubt I would even notice the crisp display methods used by any other parent.

misshardbroom · 15/12/2008 14:07

ooppss... seem to have lost ability to use 'bold' function.

Hulababy · 15/12/2008 14:10

I may well have sent a plate or bowl in too - so they could be decanted onto it for the actual party.

The playground parents sound horrednous. How vile and nasty of them. Ignore them. By the sounds of it they are the ones who need to worry - bringing their children up to thinkl that that is an okay way to behave towards other people. Just feel glad that your child isn't being dragged up in such a way.

ruddynorah · 15/12/2008 14:12

next time just send her in with a potato in one pocket and some oil in the other. then they can't complain.

snowcrystal · 15/12/2008 14:14

LOL competitive crisping!
Plate /crisp combination more difficult for child to carry and draws attention to her a bit.

Hulababy · 15/12/2008 14:16

LOL at idea that paper plate and cling film is "dressing things up" - surely not?!

Multibag it is then next time frieds come round for supper!

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