Would this rub you the wrong way at preschool parent night?

[Anonymous]

The other moms were a good 10-15 years older than me (I am 30.. so not a baby), all knew each other from their older kids, and were generally loud and obnoxious. I think some of them may have even been drunk. Let me be clear - I am a very social person and most definitely can get loud and obnoxious with my friends, but not at preschool parent night! The whole thing was just so inappropriate, disrespectful to the teacher, and just left me with such a bad feeling for the year... ugh!

[Anonymous]

The only thing that is any of your business is if they were drunk and driving.
A call to the police would have been appropriate if you truly believed you and other people on the road were in danger.
Otherwise, you come off just as catty and immature as you are trying to portray them. Their ages are irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

If they were interrupting the teacher, that's rude.

Since I had my first at 25, the other moms are all older than I - age is of no importance whatsoever.

I am now one of the "veteran" mothers at our preschool (this is our youngest's last year) and definitely take the time to greet old friends. The headmistress knows when and how to start her speech on time and present the necessary info.

[Anonymous]

If it were my first year at the preschool, sure. But if I had wrangled a sitter so that I could spend 1 hour tops hearing about the scheduled trike-riding and finger-painting time for subsequent children, I would relish the chance to tack on a glass of wine with friends I likely hadn't seen all summer. (But I'd still try to mind my manners during the presentations.)

[Anonymous]

It's preschool parents night. Nothing they tell you will have the slightest influence on where your child goes to college. Parents become close through preschools, they sometimes become close with the teachers, it's a much less formal environment than grade school.

[Anonymous]

I had mixed feelings at the first parent night at our preschool, too. I think the parents with older kids can often give off the impression that they know everything and that they're irritated to be there -- and honestly, I kind of understand that. But it isn't really fair to the new parents.

Ultimately, I ended up really liking the parents in my kid's class (less so with some of the parents in other classes, who were some of the ones I met at parent night). Some were definitely not a good fit with us, but others were. I wouldn't judge too harshly based on just the first night -- you might find that there are others who felt like you, or people who were just having a bad night.

The only thing that worries me is if most of the parents are significantly older than you and clearly have older kids. This might mean they're in a different phase of life and might not be as interested in being involved in the preschool and getting to know other parents. If you don't care about making friends there, then fine. But if you're really hoping to make some close friendships at this preschool (for yourself, not your child), then you might be disappointed. But that doesn't mean you can't find some people you really like, and it doesn't mean you're the ONLY person in your situation as a younger, FTP to a child going to preschool.

[Anonymous]

I am at a point in my life where it is so irritating to see veteran parents just clump together and only talk amongst themselves. It is rude and immature. I was taught to socialize and mingle but some people just want to keep talking to the people they already know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am at a point in my life where it is so irritating to see veteran parents just clump together and only talk amongst themselves. It is rude and immature. I was taught to socialize and mingle but some people just want to keep talking to the people they already know.

Then you need an attitude adjustment, perhaps. I am a veteran parent, and say hello to everyone, but in the limited time I have, I will naturally seek to catch up with the parent friends I know from way back, and whom I don't see very often (or not at all during the summer).

I have been the new parent before, and seen groups of parents talking together - I have never been irritated by this. It's just the way things work. The newbie has to make a little effort to break into already established groups, or make his or her own group. Just try it. Nobody's going to eat you, PP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The other moms were a good 10-15 years older than me (I am 30.. so not a baby), all knew each other from their older kids, and were generally loud and obnoxious. I think some of them may have even been drunk. Let me be clear - I am a very social person and most definitely can get loud and obnoxious with my friends, but not at preschool parent night! The whole thing was just so inappropriate, disrespectful to the teacher, and just left me with such a bad feeling for the year... ugh!

The whole thing just left you with a bad feeling because you felt left out. It happens. Don't worry you will make mommy friends at preschool and next year you will be one of the moms who knows the other moms and is laughing and obnoxious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The other moms were a good 10-15 years older than me (I am 30.. so not a baby), all knew each other from their older kids, and were generally loud and obnoxious. I think some of them may have even been drunk. Let me be clear - I am a very social person and most definitely can get loud and obnoxious with my friends, but not at preschool parent night! The whole thing was just so inappropriate, disrespectful to the teacher, and just left me with such a bad feeling for the year... ugh!

The whole thing just left you with a bad feeling because you felt left out. It happens. Don't worry you will make mommy friends at preschool and next year you will be one of the moms who knows the other moms and is laughing and obnoxious.

Exactly. Stop whining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am at a point in my life where it is so irritating to see veteran parents just clump together and only talk amongst themselves. It is rude and immature. I was taught to socialize and mingle but some people just want to keep talking to the people they already know.

Then you need an attitude adjustment, perhaps. I am a veteran parent, and say hello to everyone, but in the limited time I have, I will naturally seek to catch up with the parent friends I know from way back, and whom I don't see very often (or not at all during the summer).

I have been the new parent before, and seen groups of parents talking together - I have never been irritated by this. It's just the way things work. The newbie has to make a little effort to break into already established groups, or make his or her own group. Just try it. Nobody's going to eat you, PP!

I'm not the newbie, I'm the veteran! I'm just at the point in life (maybe because what I have been exposed to in the gracious side of DC living?) that it's really irritating to see clueless people with no manners --that's what I mean by social immaturity. Maybe I'm getting to be an old lady! And yes, I have been tired and didn't want to make an effort sometimes (wanting to gravitate towards the people I know). But for the most part, for people I know and see frequently, I can stand to not sit with them at every event. I try to reach out to others a bit. I guess it's just the old social graces (at social events and weddings, you are actually not supposed to sit with your spouse-the tables are mixed up for conversation!). But I guess I am a relic. I will keep on trying though!

[Anonymous]

Soon you'll be a drunk mom too

[Anonymous]

Is it possible that your blatant superiority issues may have made you less than approachable?

[Anonymous]

Ha! I would want to be friends with the drunk moms too?!? Where do I find friends like that?? The moms at my sons catholic school are so uptight!