So what 'stereotypes' do I need to look for amongst the other parents at the school gates?

[Ceebee74]

Just wondering as I saw someone refer to a 'Queen Bee' on another thread and I thought ooh yes, I definitely know who that is at my DS's school'.

What others are there?

I am probably the 'harassed working mum'

I am New Mum - nobody makes an effort to speak to me, but when I speak to them they want to know everything about me and the family.

I was overslept Mum with wet hair wiping breakfast off daughters face in playground mum today

Today I was 'In tears cos her daughter screamed and cried all the way to school and I don't know what to do about it' mum.

The mum Or dad who stand right at the door and ALWAYS grab the harrassed teacher to discuss something or other about the little darling...then goes on and on and on about said darling. You can see teacher desperate to escape.

Mum who faffs with kid in line before school, adjustig collars, wiping face, checking book bag while kid tries to follow school mates into class..you know because it is time for them to go in, while kids behind that kid have to wait for faffy mum to stop faffing or walk round poor child being faffed over.

Theres also the mum who "isnt quite there" who will talk to any one about personal things. Shame for them mums, lonely i think.

Someone mentioned a "always has sunglasses on her head mum". Thats me, I was hoping noone had noticed, keeps the hair out of my eyes.

No no, dollshouse, it's me - I had terrible eyesight, and sunlight really hurts my eyes, so I always have sunglasses as I wear them even in relatively low light.

And if I don't keep 'em on my head, I lose 'em.

Hmm, think I am sporty mum. I only do the drop off/pick up once a week because I work the rest of the time. I wear sports gear because that is the day I then head out for my long run after dd at school. (DH works away Sunday night until FRiday night so I have limited opprtunities.)

I am also 'I only drop off once a week and don't really know anyone mum'. I know a couple of people to smle at and say hello to, but they are always in conversations with other mums who they see more regularly, so I don't feel I can interrupt/break in. I do feel worried that DD will miss out on playdate opportunities etc as I have no informal networks of this type at all. She does have a couple of friends that goes to see from her old nursey, and we keep in touch with NCT friends and meet up occasionally (all at different schools.)

Difficult, isn't it?

Am sometimes sunglasses on head mum too - only cos it helps hide the grey roots

The uber-mother mum who seems to have a huge number of children in the school and wields her double buggy viciously!

thedollshouse, I'm the sunglasses mum too. I'm driving into the sun every morning, and it's worse in the winter when it's lower.
It's not some kind of fashion statement - honest.

This thread is great :)

My ds has just started pre school and I have to admit Im a little dissapointed I had hoped I could meet some other mummy friends etc But so far They all seem miserable and not very nice I say hi and smile and feel as if I get nothing back its really odd :(

Hopefully soon They'll be nicer :)

I'm also sunglasses mum but I wear them inside too as they are prescription and can't see anything if I take them off!

At my school we have all the mums whose kids went to the nursery (95%) and the mums whose kids didn't (me and about 2 others). I'm trying to break in by volunteering for the cake sale.

Well - I manage to encompass several stereotypes in one

• always late trailing numerous (3) children
• either overdressed or ageing hippy or slightly scruffy
• friendly smiling
• unfriendly knackered and frowning
• PTA mum making cakes (and trying to raise money for a cash strapped school!) since when was that a crime? (oversensitive moi!?)
• running after unruly toddler
• running after unruly reception age dd
• groupie
• loner

Anyone mentioned the Book Bands bore?
Will go to any devious means to find out the other dcs' book bands, whilst droning on to any one who will listen that their dc is not being stretched.

oh and annoying mum who follows up party invite with call to parents check they are aware of veggie diet requirements (sorry).

But to my credit I did not say a word when dd snaffled a tuna sarnie at a party the other week (apparently it tasted like 'smelly water')!

the time check mum. Always wondering if their watch is wrong or the school is just opening the gates late again.

I'm that Mum, especially when its raining or I just don't fancy hanging around there!

I am the Mum with too many kids in too many classes .

In our school we have :

Drunk Mum.

Late Mum.

Glam Mum.

Cliquey Mum.

Helicopter Mum.

Mum who brings Grandma and sister to every pick up.

Sweary Mum.

Invisible Mum (stands in the corner and hopes no one will make eye contact).

[Roar] at Empress

Brilliant thread.

We have most of the mums mentioned but the main group is clique mums. Will speak if they want something but most of the time look down their noses. Very difficult for new mums in the school.

We are also very lucky to have down to earth mums who actually make other mums welcome and sit there laughing and joking about everything but the children.

Dread to think which mum I am but probably bad hair lets put a hat on (late again) mum.

Have we had the mum who'll be all over you if she thinks you can help her in some way then drops you dead once someone more useful comes along.

"the mum who'll be all over you if she thinks you can help her in some way then drops you dead once someone more useful comes along."

We have this Mum too. Weird how she returns without any embarrassment weeks later for more help again even though she's been blanking you day in and day out since she last focused on you.

I've definitely noticed the late mum - amazing ability to be precisely 5-minutes late at drop-off and pick-up (could this be "deliberately late mum"?). I've never noticed any other type, though - they're just a varied group of people who pick up and drop off their kids who may or may not be in the mood to talk that day... Does that make me socially unaware mum?