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Shyness: an open letter to the other mums on the playground

Hi Ladies

We are nearly at the end of our journey through infant school together. Some of you I have never even spoken to and I’m sorry.

I may seem stand-offish or even rude. But actually I am very socially awkward and shy.

Some of you are glamorous and wear make up and designer clothes. I haven’t worn make up in months and my clothes are covered in food, snot and baby sick.

Some of you have carefully washed and styled hair. Mine is tied back to stop it being ripped out by Zach’s grasping hands.

Some of you dress for the gym. I haven’t even managed to find time for the 7 minute workout in almost 2 years.

Some of you like partying and have very active social lives. I’m so exhausted I want to be in bed by 8.30pm (and often am 🙂 )

Some of you stay at home all day and seem to revel in doing crafts etc. I stay home most of the time and am driven crazy by minions of doom whose sole purpose is to make as much mess as possible.

Some of you go out to work. My three jobs are mostly at home but when I do go in I don’t need to wear anything other than jeans.

So in the new term, our last term, I hope to be a little bit braver because it may be my last chance to spend time with you as our children may go to different junior schools.

Lx


Categories: Personal.

/ 34 Comments

34 comments

  2. Wendy

    I am so not looking forward to the school playground when my boy starts in September, I’m no good at small talk. I hope you get braver and manage to chat to some mums xx #marvmondays

    Reply
  4. RawMum

    I would so be your friend. I’m so shy too. I was always the kid alone on the playground. I dread being the lonely mum on the playground too. Fingers crossed I can get to that stage.
    #Marvmondays

    Reply
  7. Tubbs

    The play ground used to do my head it. Some of the mums were lovely but a few of them had definitely watched Mean Girls too many times. Good luck within being a little braver this term

    Reply
  8. Chloe

    Hi, not everyone is outgoing and being shy can often be misunderstood. I hope you have a more experience towards the end of the school year #marvmondays

    Reply
  9. Jennifer

    I feel exactly the same, I’m too shy to approach anyone but I’m so pleased when someone makes the effort to talk to me, I need to pluck up the courage to just do it myself! Good luck for the next term 🙂

    Reply
  10. Newcastle Family Life

    I am really shy and don’t really join in when I pick my daughter up from nursery school, most of the other parents all know each other as they grew up in our village and I grew up in a bigger town so don’t know them. I am going to have to be braver next year when she starts primary school x

    Reply
  12. Paula from Her Life Is Love

    This is something I worry about because I’m pretty reserved myself. I go to the playground or library with my daughters, but then find other moms are already buddy-buddy with other moms. Not sure how I can join in.. I want to be a good role model for my daughter, though. I need to make a conscious effort on this, too. #globalblogging

    Reply
  14. Tracey

    It is funny how our children are so great at just going up to other kids and talking/playing but it is so difficult as adults! You never know, you probably have more in common with them than you think 🙂 #globalblogging

    Reply
  15. five little doves

    I totally relate to this although I am very lucky that my daughters friends Mums are so lovely and friendly that they have made a real effort to get to know eachother. We are going out together for the third time this weekend and I hope to build some lasting friendships.

    Reply
  17. Mama Grace

    It’s hard wanting to just be happy with yourself, you see I normally am happy in my own company but I try and extend my circle to socialise for my daughter. It’s great that she has play dates and other friends but it’s on me to introduce us and make friends. #GlobalBlogging

    Reply
  18. Jaki

    Got to be honest, I am dreading this part of the whole school thing – it’s my thing at all to mix with mum’s I don’t know. I was shy at school myself and got called a snob because of it. I can’t help but think it’s going to be like history repeating itself. #anythinggoes

    Reply
  19. My Petit Canard

    My little one is in nursery school so I can completely understand how you feel. I can be a little shy at times myself and find it hard to push myself to socialise with the other mums. Its definitely pushed me a little out of my comfort zone, its not easy and its definitely something I need to be better at too. Lovely post, thanks for sharing it on #MarvMondays. Emily

    Reply
  21. kristin mccarthy

    Honestly I dont even notice people at the playground cause I am too busy trying to keep the twins alive and find the other two kids. When I do mingle I tend to swear and over share. I kind of an acquired taste. Youll find your tribe.

    Thanks for linking up this week.

    Reply
  22. Amanda

    I guess I got caught up on the fact that you can go to sleep at 8:30…so jealous!
    There are all kinds of mums out there, and you may be surprised at some of the ones you click with. I know it can be hard, but I found with kids as a common ground/subject to talk about, it made it easier to just have a word or two with the other mums around. 🙂
    #TriumphantTales

    Reply
  23. justsayingmum

    What a beautiful thoughtful post. We are all so different aren’t we? It’s hard sometimes to make conversation but we must as we can meet some great friends – even the ones in gym kit! #MarvMondays

    Reply
  26. fridgesays

    #triumphanttales due to working full time i don’t do the playground rounds – and I’m grateful, oh how i love to pick my little man up at the end of the day and see him, but the other parents, no thanks. Dont be braver for others be you for you.

    Reply
  28. Lucy | Leaning In

    We haven’t reached the playground yet, but I think I will struggle too. Good on you for acknowledging that you want to make more of an effort and setting about doing something about it! Thanks for joining us at #GlobalBlogging

    Reply
  30. Mrs Mummy Harris

    Im dreading the playground after some antics that I keep hearing about. thank god it seems more likely that the MIL will take ben to and from work so i get to skip bitchiness haha! Thanks for linking up to #TriumphantTales again, hope to see you back next week

    Reply
  32. Jane

    I find it really nerve wracking when my child announces she wants her new friend over for tea, play date etc, and that means I have to approach the parent to invite them over. The other parent is usually engrossed in a group chat with some other mummies, and I’m supposed to find the courage to just butt in and do my bit for my child. I feel guilty because I know my child misses out on a lot of after school social time with friends because I’m too blinkin’ shy to approach other mums on the playground! Why do I always feel so awkward?

    Reply

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