Competitive parenting nightmare

[lilylove]

My five year old daughter has come back from a playdate and told me the mother gave her a spelling test! I had my doubts about this woman who because my daughter is bright, regards her as a rival for the private school place she wants for her own daughter when they have to take their 7plus exams at the end of their current school.
I am so angry I could scream. Any thoughts on how I should handle this - and any other similar experiences. Is this an isolated experience?

Quote of the week, even

I was at school with girls who made up problems to send to Cathy and Claire - sadly they didn't get "I'm in love with my guitar" into the magazine.

Oh yes UQD, when ARE they gonna get rid of Graham and Ruby? utter drivel

I quite like Graham and loathe Ruby.

I have an uncle who used to be an agony aunt. Truly. He used to work on a magazine in Nairobi, and as one of the junior reporters the task of making up the problem page fell to him.

I would not credit feature writers like 'lilylove' with the title 'journalist' tbh - They are opinion wriers - and with the advent of blogging and tinterweb etc. (whisper - and sites like mumsnet)there is an excess of opinion polluting the world with little reference too detailed research or concern about 'facts'. I find it very depressing.

and there was an excess of 'quotes' in my post

Ok,so who's going to write the article for FeMail entitled..
Underhand lazy hacks and the wonders of Mumsnet?...
Have to admit I'm sorely tempted myself!

I particularly chortled at the following comment in response to this article which I suspect Tanith may have submitted herself:

"I am an English woman living in the USA and I do like my Daily Mail! What an interesting Feature by Tanith Carey, the Mothers in North London sound just about as pressured as New York mums. Childhood should be preserved... it's all too fleeting and precious. Keep up your strong and interesting work.
A happy child and a happy Mother is the way Ms Carey!

• Haley, Fla USA"

"Keep up your strong and interesting work" - I can't stop laughing at this, must use it in conversation.

Honest to goodness this was a real conversation with a friend the other week...

"You know that Mrs Mills column in the Sunday Times? Well there was a question in it that seemed a bit odd.....I wonder if sometimes they make up the questions..... no, they'd never do that...would they?"

For those who don't read the ST: here's a sample...

SWINGING LOW
QN:
My husband says he wants to spice up our love life by wearing a pair of my knickers, suspenders and an England football shirt. I?m afraid I might find it all too embarrassing, but am I being prudish?
HT, Guildford
ANSWER:
It?s all too shaming for words. A football shirt? What?s wrong with the man? Tell him it?s rugby tops only. You may also find that he wants to call you ?Jonny? in moments of passion. This is quite normal. (Though you might remind him he can only slip his arm between your thighs when it?s time to get down and shove.)

I am not in the least bit suprised. A good jopurnalist has a duty to research their topic. There is also something known as piggybacking where you hijack a story and give it an angle relevant to your paper/website or whatever. Is anyone really, truly, surprised.

No,..not very surprised Swede just disappointed! It's the sneaky underhand, nature of it. There is a perfectly good media section (for a small fee) where I'm sure there are a few MN's who would be more than happy to share their experiences of this subject.

Hmmn.... Feel a little foolish. Have just been contributing to another thread (posted same day as this one, but pseudonym of GirlySwot) calling all teachers and asking whether, if money were no object, we'd choose private or state education for our own children. Am now wondering when I might see our thoughts splashed all over the DM. Not techie enough to post the link though.

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

Gosh - how horrid to have to worry that there was an ulterior motive. If the whole school place thing wasn't an issue - would you still be uncomfortable with the 'spelling game' do you think?

Either way - if you're not happy then don't have any more PDs or invite her daughter round and give her the Times crossword

I seem to have missed the point - doh!

Not defending, but I suppose for a freelancer the media fee is prohibitive?...

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

UQD - she is writing for the DM so she is getting at least £350 per 1000. Which makes that piece £400. I think she could spring for the media fee.

Nobody who writes for the Daily Mail is going to have the genetic goods to pass onto their children and get them into selective schools anyway.

She was always pissing in the wind. Unless the kid is adopted.

Talith's piece is a crap little article in a crap little paper. It amuses me to think of all those outraged DM readers - when the mean (in the average sense) Mumsnet response was: "Let the other girl have the private school place". I don't object to journalists being on Mumsnet, just not Daily Mail ones. I have been accused of being India Knight on here before, more than once. I am outraged as I am much better looking than her.

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn