Why is this mum staring at me?

[AnonymousSchoolgateDad]

Posting anon as this is a bit embarrassing/revealing for both myself and any other mums who may know me in real life on here.

Currently co-parent with ex-wife (amicably - there was no OW or bad behaviour on my part, she says she just fell out of love), so often do school runs. Over the last few weeks I've started noticing one of the other mums, for want of a better term, staring at me. Basically that: just a fixed stare with a slight smile on her face. Sometimes I give a brief acknowledgment but more often than not its from across the playground or assembly hall and so one or the other of us looks away. She never bothers to come and say "Hi" or anything. Just keep catching her staring.

As far as I'm aware she's single too - her ex seems a good guy and IIRC there might be gossip she got involved with someone else. We never socialised with them bar school events, although my wife may have met up with her after we split.

I'm single and not really looking - just getting my life together after the divorce.

I'm a bit clueless about all this and prone to overthinking stuff, so I guess I'd consult other mums who are more experienced with school gate etiquette. Am I reading too much into this? Or is she eyeing me up? I'm not even sure I'd want to "go there" tbh, but it would be good to at least have a better idea as to what on Earth is going on...

Wow.

She probably feels sorry for you
I often find myself staring at people and wondering what their life is like when I know they've been through sadness (I know, it's weird)

Why don't you just ask her...

Jeez....

Come on op. Jesus Christ

Either she’s flirting or she knows you through your ex

Not sure what to suggest, looks across a crowded room,or playground sounds romantic, but think you should wait and see what may,or may not happen.

For you to keep catching her it means you must be glancing over repeatedly. She is just being polite by smiling or feeling sorry knowing your story and hoping you are ok. I think you are reading too much into it.

If you're not interested then I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep it low-key, as you are currently doing.
Nothing to think about - let it go.

Don't go there, I think it could be very hard for your children if you started dating another mum at their school that their mum knows.

There is a chance she is friends with your ex and she is staring at your recounting conversations she has had with your ex about you.
Also, I must admit I do stare at dads on the school run sometimes. Especially if they are very interactive with their children. I am usually thinking aw isn't that Dad sweet how great he is with the kids - I had better double check my staring now incase they also think the wrong thing!

When was the last time you washed/shaved?

You probably still had last nights dried jizz stuck all over your beard

Or your fly was down

You are devastatingly good looking and charismatic so she cannot look away.

@CallMeRachel

PAHAHAHAHAHA

I agree with pp, she's talked with your ex about you and is recalling some of the things she knows about you that you probably don't realise she knows.

It's impossible to say. She may be recallimg conversations with your ex, she may fancy you, she may think you're great with the kids, she may just be staring unthinkingly your way. Why not say hi?

For you to keep catching her it means you must be glancing over repeatedly.

I find being stared at unnerving, and I can't help but keep checking if the person is still staring because I find it uncomfortable. I often just move away to get out of the line of sight.

Op with respect this sounds like it was written by a 12 year old girl.

Who knows why and does it even matter??

Get a hobby or something

She might be a mumsnetter. why don't you give her a clue? what does she looks like or at least whereabouts are you? Might be a christmas love story

why do you care? Something and nothing.

Do you wear your pyjamas on the school run?

OP ignore the sarcastic comments. On the surface, it sounds like she might be interest in you. However, as others have advised don't go there. Your initial reaction is also that you don't want to start anything. It would be all too complicated.

Just continue acknowledging each other and strike a conversation. It's only by chatting that you can ascertain what sge has in mind and at the same time appropriately establish your boundaries.

Continuing to stare and return glances is untenable and will eventually feel awkward and ridiculous.

The comments are sarcastic because how on earth are we supposed to know what this woman is thinking?

OP please ignore any serious comments as they are not based on any greater knowledge than yours.

No one knows op.
She could fancy you, she might think you look familiar, she might know some gossip about you, you might even remind her of her dead uncle. No one knows.

Ravenmum, by your logic mumsnet is in great folly. Many of the advice given on here expects people to comment on situations where we are given one side of the story and expected to infer the motives of the other parties involved. Do you always know what's in the mind of the other parties whose actions we are asked to evaluate?

Is it only in this case that the goal must be moved? If so, why?

I can hazard a guess why so many chose to be sarcastic towards the OP and why you chose to justify it with a frankly bizarre explanation.