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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Mum at a new school 😢

25 replies

Ukmum1 · 01/12/2017 22:59

Not sure if this is the right place to post. I moved to new area before the summer from overseas. Since then I’ve found most of the mums at pickup/drop off are pretty rude. I have tried to talk to them but they are not interested. Most of them know each other since kids started from nursery. I’m finding it hard because I’ve came from a country and school where everyone just welcomes you. I’ve tried to join pta, again I said hi to one of the mums (who is in the pta) in the street and she ignored me. My dh seen it for himself the first time at a school event and he to couldn’t believe how rude they were.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Ojoj1974 · 01/12/2017 23:02

Really sad... I'm shocked how some people behave. Come to our school it's v friendly!!
It does however sound like it's going to take time. Is this school in a small town or village rather than London?

iggleypiggly · 01/12/2017 23:11

That’s shocking. Have you tried inviting some children for a play? Get to know the parents that way with a coffee when they pick them up? It’s awful how some people behave. You don’t need these unkind people. You will find some nice ones but it may take time

SomewhatIdiosyncratic · 01/12/2017 23:36

It is hard. DS went to private nursery and I worked through his first year, so I was new on the playground in his second year when friendships were well established. I'm not claiming any lifelong friends, but I can get conversation here and there most days.

People do mix around and there's a significant number who's playground days vary due to work. It may be harder if it is exactly the same people each day.

DS has befriended other children that didn't go to the school nursery either as the nursery cohort was quite tight knit, so we don't tend to do play dates as his friends are in wrap around care. Play dates could be a way to open up a relationship.

Increasinglymiddleaged · 02/12/2017 14:02

You say 'most' are rude. I'd start with the others personally and leave the rude ones to it. I wouldn't rely on the playground for actually making friends though, join some groups that interest you instead, the people are more likely to have stuff in common with you.

sallythesheep73 · 02/12/2017 20:55

I thought when my children started school we would meet all the other parents. Initially I found the other parents pretty frosty and unfriendly. We have now made friends with a couple of other families but it took THREE years!!! I cant believe it! So I would say manage your expectations (!) and prepare yourself that it may take longer than you thought! Good luck (I also joined the PTA!)

user789653241 · 02/12/2017 21:21

I've read somewhere long ago that English people are naturally reserved, they need introduction to get talking in the unfamiliar situation.
Once they get to know you, they are nice in general, ime.
If you'd like to join PTA, it maybe good idea to talk to chair person and show your interest.

DullAndOld · 02/12/2017 21:30

Talk to the women in the playground that nobody else is talking to.

IN our playground there were always a few women, 'outsiders' that most of the other mums were bloody rude to.

IME pta women are rude and cliquey, I really wouldnt bother with them.

OneOfTheGrundys · 02/12/2017 21:36

Like others, I found the best way was to ask the kids your dc play with to tea. Go to everything school wise you can too. You’ll get there in the end-if you want to that is!

Wellandtrulyoutnumbered · 02/12/2017 21:42

IME pta women are rude and cliquey, I really wouldnt bother with them

The opposite is true in our school. We are all super welcoming and friendly. Everyone welcome. Everyone valued. It really depends from school to school. Our headteacher wouldnt put up with cliques either.

OP I'm so sorry you aren't being made to feel welcome. Keep talking. Ask questions. People like to feel useful or valued. Eg Hi can you recommend a good place get hair, nails , MOT done, butchers etc.

Originalfoogirl · 03/12/2017 01:04

I'll be honest, if I was dropping off and a random person I don't know came up and started chatting to me I probably wouldn't come across as friendly, mainly because I'd either be wondering if I knew them or wondering why the hell they were talking to me. I might even wonder if they were a bit needy. Unless it's to talk about something our children have been involved in together, I'd be confused.

All of this is my problem, but just wanted to give the potential view from the other side.

Not sure what "tried" to join the PTA means. Surely you either join or you don't. Our PTA is crying out for members, as most seem to be, so I'd be surprised if they turn you down.

Increasinglymiddleaged · 03/12/2017 06:32

I'm always confused about people 'joining the PTA' as all parents are automatically members....

MiaowTheCat · 03/12/2017 07:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user789653241 · 03/12/2017 07:39

I'm sure OP means active member of pta, who do all the hard work organising everything, which most of parents aren't.
I am sure they will appreciate you, OP.

user789653241 · 03/12/2017 07:44

MiaowTheCat, how was Distant Worlds? (Sorry OP, for totally irrelevant question!)

Increasinglymiddleaged · 03/12/2017 07:57

I'm sure OP means active member of pta, who do all the hard work organising everything, which most of parents aren't.

You see I disagree. Most parents help by making cakes etc. Some take on an additional organising role (but are no more members than anyone else), then there is the committee.

I think there is a perception that the PTA is some mega club/ clique. I organise something for ours, but I don't even know who the new chair is tbh. I've had a brief conversation with the Treasurer because I needed to know what to do with money but that's it. There really isn't anything to 'join' and the committee members understandably get confused when people ask this/ expect some massive welcome into their friendship group when they are approached on the playground. Particularly as they probably work/ are as busy as the next person/ rushing off somewhere. The point of the PTA is to make things better at the school for the children, not to be a social club for lonely parents. I'm probably seen as 'on the PTA'

To get involved 'more closely' with the PTA committee:

Go to meetings
Offer to do stuff that they need help with at the meeting

And please do it they need reliable support of people who are willing to take on a bit of responsibility. And you may meet people you get on with, or not. But that shouldn't be the sole reason for getting involved.

user789653241 · 03/12/2017 08:07

If you go to the meeting, you are sure to know who the chair person/main committee is, they are the ones organising cake sales, fairs, etc. They are different from regular PTA helpers, at my school. I do help at most of events, but I am not on the committee members, and no one sees me as on the PTA.

Increasinglymiddleaged · 03/12/2017 08:10

Well quite but I don't go to the meetings..... As many people who help organise stuff don't.

Increasinglymiddleaged · 03/12/2017 08:12

And the committee members change from year to year so who was on the committee when I started the job I have isn't anymore. I actually was on the committee at one point so understand how it all works!

user789653241 · 03/12/2017 08:29

Well, don't you see this convo as futile? I have different view from you, and you have different view from me. Every school is different.
I was only commenting from my pov, so I am happy to admit other school works different way.

Increasinglymiddleaged · 03/12/2017 09:03

Well we are in agreement about what the OP needs to do to get involved which for her is the important thing - find out when the meetings are and go.

MiaowTheCat · 03/12/2017 11:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

InionEile · 05/12/2017 02:20

When you are coming from overseas and don't know anyone, you just have to get a thick skin and make a bigger effort. It is hard and exhausting sometimes! No-one knows you and no-one is necessarily going to go out of their way to get to know you. That said, having people deliberately blank you is a little off.

I live abroad and have a good set of friends at my son's current school now but it took a lot of effort and time to build up these friendships and even then, one close friend just moved their son to a private school so friends can come and go.

One approach that I found helpful was to join extracurricular activities so that your child has a chance to meet kids outside of school for sports, music or Scouts etc. It also depends on your child's personality. Some kids are super-extrovert and will set up their own playdates and be friendly. With other kids, you have to do the running as the parent. MY son is more introverted so I have to force myself to be more extrovert for his sake even though it's not really my personality type.

user1475317873 · 05/12/2017 07:44

It takes time to meet people. It doesn't happen straight away. Just take it easy and invite friends for playdates and keep participating in the PTA activities but don't show yourself too needy

Is this Loondon or a small village?

MiaowTheCat · 05/12/2017 08:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Slartybartfast · 05/12/2017 08:07

If someone was friendly to me at the school pick up I would reciprocate.

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