Being bullied by playground mums

[Libby456]

Just posted this in Primary education as well...
Apologies for the length of this!

I'm 21, I work as a TA in Year 2 and I really love my job. I feel like I have a good connection with all of the children and majority of parents but recently I have felt like a victim and I'm not comfortable with it.

A few weeks ago while doing one on one catch up a child said (as children do!) 'How old are you? My mum says you're 12 and you cant look after me properly' I found this mildly amusing but at the same time it hurt my feelings.

it's 2 mums that seem to have an issue with me, at first they thought I was a student and when I told them I was in fact a TA they were very taken aback (possibly due to the fact the other TAs are older?)

I see them in the playground pointing at me and laughing, I've occasionally heard things like 'What is she wearing' and 'I wouldn't want her in the school'

At the start of the day myself and next door's TA greet the children and talk to parents if needed, these 2 parents refuse to talk to me, when I asked mum1 if I could help her with the term dates she 'no you can't darling you wont know. Get your teacher'

On Friday, one child keept saying to me that 'my mum says I don't need to listen to you' and when I followed it up I found out it was true and was then shouted at by mum2 in front of everyone in the playground. She told me that I was calling her son a liar and I am incapable of caring for her child. I felt close to tears at this point but I remained calm and said that I'm sorry she feels that way and would she like to come in to discuss the matter.
She then continued to shout at me saying I need to stop telling her what to do before she files a complaint and gets me fired.

Obviously by this point it had turned a few heads. Staff were coming towards us. The TA in the room next to mine asked her if she could either leave or visit the head (she left) I had sort of froze out of shock until I got lead away gently by the charming PE teacher who told me not to worry because I haven't done anything wrong.

I suffer from Anxiety disorder so when it all caught up with me I spent the next 15 minutes having a panic attack. The head teacher says she will talk to the parent and address everything on Monday so I'm really nervous about tomorrow but I don't know if I'm over reacting or not.

I was bullied at school so it makes those memories come flooding back. I don't really know what I'm asking here! but kind words/advice/relate-able stories are welcome.

Thank you x

[VivaLeBeaver]

Start writing everything down. What the mum has said, what her kid has said they've said, etc.

Make sure your head is kept fully informed of anything.

Smile and nod and let it wash over you as much as possible. Sounds like you did a great job in the playground of keeping cool. There's always an idiot parent/member of the public wherever you work. Just don't let them wind you up and don't take it personally.

Id also ask for this thread to be removed incase the parent concerned sees it and complains. Remember not to talk about it on Facebook.

[AuntyBrenda]

If I had been collecting my DC at the same time as this particular gob-on-a-stick parent I would have thought she was an absolute bellend and probably told her so too, I wouldnt have called her a bellend on the playground obviously. Good luck to the children with her as a role model.

Sounds like the school have your back and I hope she has a dressing down on Monday.

[TheReluctantCountess]

You've done nothing wrong at all. I suspect they are jealous of your youth!

I'm a teacher. If a TA came to me with your problem, I would speak to my class about respect for all adults.

[Missdee2014]

Mother sounds like an arsehole. I have nothing of worth to add im afraid. Try not to let these horrible 'people' get to you. By the sounds of it your head will deal with it and hopefully put an end to it. What chance have these poor kids got if this is how their parents behave. Such a shame.

[18yearstooold]

The mother is a knob

You are old enough to be a qualified teacher but regardless they should be teaching their child that all adults working in school should be treated with the same level of respect

Sounds like the school is backing you which is good

[ItsAllKickingOffPru]

What a horrid woman! Sounds as though your colleagues and the Head are well aware of the situation and are prepared to tackle the behaviour.
She should not be talking to you like that and her DC should not be allowed to speak to you like that in class and I hope this is made very clear to her tomorrow.