Anyone else hate the school run?

gingin_2

Ah well, I enjoy the school run. Everyone is lovely here and I made a point of talking to one of the Grandmas in the plaground today, after reading this thread

meritaten

lmao - wasnt YOU talking to me was it gingin? I actually felt as if I had shed my 'cloak of invisibility'! I was spoken to and a few parents made eye contact too!

I may be a grandma - but, I do have other interests apart from grandchildren and knitting!

seriously - well done gingin - I bet that made the grandmas day!

I don't really expect to have a conversation as such - just a bit of eye contact and a smile or a simple 'hello' would be more than enough!

(thats a hint hint to you lovely young mums!)

gingin_2

Lol! Maybe. I'll quite happily talk to anyone but I do find a smile and a hello is a good way to start a conversation.

duchy

I suspect the Mums who feel ignored at the school gates are the same ones who think people at work are cliquey too.

The school run is what you make it-Whilst my son was at primary school I at various times was married -then single , a SAHM, worked part time and worked full time and was a mature student and wasn't treated any differently through any of those stages (except they'd nag me more about coming for coffee when I worked fulltime if I was off )

When my Mum was in intensive care for several weeks -everyone asked after her and wanted to know how I was coping , some volunteered they were praying for her -and me, and some rolled their sleeves up and helped with my son-having him before/after school when I needed to visit or helped me out in other ways. The day she died one of the Dads who was working from home -took my son for the day so I could get to the hospital and made it clear he was happy to have him all day (his wife was and still is a good friend) and told me to do what I had to do and not worry about what time I was getting back.

As for being isolated because your child has a disability-absolute rubbish -My son is ASD -and was clearly different -at primary school he was totally accepted and integrated by ALL the kids and almost all the parents (secondary school was another matter but that's another thread) and I saw the parents of other disabled kids treated the same way too.

It's like any other social situation-the more you put in -the more you get out . If you only want to meet people "like you" you'll struggle. If you are interested in people in general and make an effort to find some common ground -you'll find it a far better experience.

poet123

gingin wrote: »

Lol! Maybe. I'll quite happily talk to anyone but I do find a smile and a hello is a good way to start a conversation.

Perhaps some of those who accuse others of seeming superior when at the school gate are actually victims of their own inferiority complex. I loved the school run, I met some lovely people who have become lifelong friends, never had a cross word with anybody, and always took people as I found them.

I will talk to anybody, mums,nans, nannies etc, just because they happen to be at the school gate doesn't mean that is the sum total of their life experience or interests, so to dismiss them as people you would have nothing in common with (aside from kids) is rather arrogant and patronising imo.

pinkmami

Blimey how picky are some of you!? What is wrong with just smiling at people & saying a nice "hello!" or a quick jibe at the weather...maybe those cliquey mums say to each other "look at her the miserable old fart"......

Don't people acknowledge each other any more? Im so damn glad I don't have picky mums like some of you in my school playground at 9am & 3pm!!!

I have great pals in school & have kids from different age groups. We go out, have parties at Bonfire & christmas/summer BBQ's, coffees & have a blast!

Maybe make an effort next time to smile & say "hi, how are you today?"

pinkmami

Gillyx wrote: »

I'd have said "I work every day so can't be here to collect my child unfortunately" Smug face

What is there to be smug about???

lostinrates

I'm not a mother, but in the past collected children I took care of and my nieces from school. I loved it and hated it both. There can be some really unpleasant other adults, but that little burst of joy as the kids you are collecting come running out beaming, or even strolling out smiling but tired ready for a kiss and a break before homework. Its a nice thing. Dropping off was always quick....people in a hurry and in the afternoons I either took a book or chatted to the nicer of the parents/nannies/grandparents.

Person_one

When my nieces and nephews are old enough to go to school I shall pick them up wearing a variety of fancy dress costumes and carrying a different random item every day. The first day I will dress as a zebra and bring an easel, the second day I'll be Elizabeth I carrying a super soaker. This will ease tensions among the school run mums/dads/grandmas and nannies because they can all share the experience of pointing and laughing at me.

I'm happy to help.

(Until they're old enough to tell me to knock it off because I'm embarrassing them.)

*Jelly_Tots*

You lot have got it all wrong. This is the answer: Move right across the road to the school. Leave 45 seconds before the bell, run along the road saying to all the passing mums, who have just dropped their kids off: "Yes, tee hee, we are always late, and we just live across the road etc etc". Your kid goes in on time, just as the last class is entering school. By this time, most of the mums have gone. Bobs your uncle. Kid on time. No cliques, smalltalk, hassle.

If I ever find myself a bit early I talk to whoever is next to me. Grannies, slob-mams, posh mams, dads. I find most people's favourite topic is their kid. So just say 'How is little James/Sophie getting on?' and they are away.
What I have learnt from this thread is that some people think wearing make-up, straightening your hair and looking smart is a bad thing. I NEVER EVER EVER EVER leave the house without make-up or straightening my hair. I just feel grotty if I don't. However, I wouldn't judge someone who didn't wear make-up. (Ok, I would judge someone with PJs on).

Also, I wouldn't know a Red Kite from a budgie but it doesn't automatically make me a pleb.
Parents are just a cross section of society. There are nice ones. There are nasty ones. Just like on this thread.