Comments on: A letter to other parents at school

By: Rizoleey

Rizoleey — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:45:16 +0000

I never knew this was a problem, I was always the adult on the inside of the room. It gives me something to think about though when do return to work. I have always had a kettle, coffee/tea and milk available for parents to have, maybe I might need to put up some conversation starters on the wall outside too. They can grab a cuppa and discuss the topic together. Do you think that might help?

By: On Motherhood: The Juggling, The Judgement and The Loss | Planning With Kids

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:20:05 +0000

[...] at Semantically driven gives great insight into how as a parent you can have trouble fitting in to the school crowd. Maybe [...]

By: PlanningQueen

PlanningQueen — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 12:09:51 +0000

I can relate to this post. We moved house and therefore schools and my eldest went into grade 1. It took me along time to stop standing on my own. And I think part of it had to come from me. Now I try to remember how that felt and look out for others standing on their own.

By: Nikkers

Nikkers — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:24:08 +0000

Oh, yes…it’s real shock to discover that some grownups don’t grow out of the clique tendencies childhood.
When my XY7 started school in Sydney I fortunately connected with one of the seemingly few fulltime working mums. Two years ago we relocated to country NSW and I haven’t yet really had a breakthrough…although there are a couple of mums and a dad I say hello to. Now I’m working parttime I started doing reading groups but it’s not really a chance to meet other parents. I wanted to get involved with the P&C to get to know some parents but it meets on one of the nights my partner works.
I just try to keep smiling and look friendly!

By: Jayne

Jayne — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:34:18 +0000

Oh, that used to be me, too, “the one with the autistic kid” I heard myself pointed out one day, and I got used to bringing a book along to read.

By: jeanie

jeanie — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:53:31 +0000

Oh I remember this all too well – and yes, it does still happen.

I figure there are those friends unmade in the group – and those who will never be friends.

All you can be is approachable and smile. Good luck.

By: Farmers Wife

Farmers Wife — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:06:49 +0000

I just went through this at the start of the year as we changed schools. I found the first few days harrowing as nobody would talk to me and there was already cliques from last year. After the 3rd day I said to myself, it’s up to me to introduce me to them, which I did and all was well. I have made some good friends but it took some effort to be noticed.

By: Hazel Edmunds

Hazel Edmunds — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:00:20 +0000

Jen (and Kate)
It’s not just you – and it’s not just them. Hard though it is (been there, done that) YOU are the one who has to make the first move to try and break into the cozy clique. It’s not just at the school gates that these divisions are noticeable but just about everywhere that people congregate. And believe you me it gets harder as you get older unless you’ve managed to keep in with friends from way back (which I haven’t).

By: katepickle

katepickle — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:06:13 +0000

I always thought it was just me that found being a ‘dropping off/picking up mum’ was about as hard as my first day of highschool when it came to cliques and groups. It’s more than half way through the year at kinder and I can count on one hand the number of other mum’s who’ve even bothered to say hello or chat in passing… even a smile and a nod would help.

I know I suck at the social/making friends thing and I often wonder if it is me…. but maybe it’s not…?

Great post…