I'm so cross I could....

[Pootle]

I apologise now but I really feel the need to vent my anger somewhere!

It being half term we've been down on our plot with the children a lot this week. Because its a holiday there have been other children about too and so there has been a lot of running up and down paths and giggling. No problem with that you'd think...well you'd be wrong.

Today (two days later) another plot holder approached my OH once I'd left to say that our children were in danger of turning into delinquents because one of them got her wet with water from the communal tap on Friday. OH didn't know enough about the incident to comment but was hacked off enough with the nastiness of her tone that he almost went ballistic. They're 8, 6 and 4 for goodness sake.

The facts are that it was a complete accident - she didn't get 'soaked', just a little damp - my daughter was utterly devastated when it happened and took half an hour to calm down (this wouldn't have happened had it been a deliberate act!) In fact, if this other plot holder hadn't decided to get involved in the hooking up of a hosepipe to the tap (by another adult) in the first place, she wouldn't have got wet at all!

But that's not the last of it...today we have had whispers that 'those' children have been running onto other plots - clearly the orginal complainant has decided to spread the idea that our children are running wild over other plots. This isn't true in the slightest - they stay on paths, never go onto other plots unless invited and would certainly not be allowed to stray onto cultivated areas at all. It's the bitchy, behind your back nature of this that I can't stand. Especially when in another breath these people are saying 'children don't get enough fresh air/know where food comes from' etc. Grrr

It takes a lot to get me cross, but this has managed it bigtime. I'm going to put the girls to bed now and reach for a large glass of something.

Thank you for letting me vent my fury - I feel much better now!

[Two_Sheds]

and .... relax!

trouble is, allotmenteers have probably had kids up there before, running riot, leaving taps running, screaming (we have) and just jumped to the assumption that yours are the same.

Sleep on it, calm down, and be friendly the next time. In fact, make a point of saying hello, getting your children to say hello, and show how nice you all are.

[Claire72]

I agree with two sheds, rather than staying angry, aim to prove them all wrong, it is better for the kids to be up there, being involved in the food production etc. Let the other allotmenteers make up their own minds about your kids, by letting them see that your kids know how to behave! (unlike many adults)

[Pootle]

Thanks.

I've calmed down a bit now

I think you're both right - that's what we'll do. Its just that sneakiness - I can cope with anything said to my face but when its behind your back you don't have the opportunity to respond. Its not as if I'm even a threatening person - at 5' tall they're all at least a foot taller!

Oh well, tomorrow is another day!

(Can you tell that the wine is working?!)

[squashysu]

miserable old gits!!!!! i know what you mean about "the kids of today" scenario!!!!

I bet these alloment holders were never kids, i bet they never scrumped apples or anything like that - in fact look for the halo's next time you visit and in order to make you giggle, imagine them gardening naked with a rose placed in their bum cheeks!!! lol.

I havent even had a drink either, help i am going mad!!! lol

SS

[Hans Mum]

when i first got my plot & DD was happy to come along, some of the old hands were very sniffy about kids about, i got her to ask some of the old guys for help with her project about 'digging for victory' and she took photos of their plots and veggies, they loved it, gave her loads of info and really helped her, the upshot was she made loads of 'friends' even now they ask how shes doing if shes not been for a while, and when she does make an appearance they are always pleased to see her and usually give her some fruit or veg...worth a try

[di]

chances are she's the site busybody & probably the other plotholders know to take what she says with a pinch of salt,when we 1st took on our plot our neighbour was a bit funny,wanted to expect the worst,but all the others were really pleased to see a young(&Andi!)family taking an interest & we soon found out what they all think of him!!thers since been several more families taking up plots & although they're all generally good kids I think theres a couple of ol'boys trying to stir up some trouble but the majority are really welcoming & happy to see some children learning what they consider to be basic fundamentals of life.for the majority of time theyre all on our plot anyway so out of harms way..lucky us ;last week we had 9 under12's other than our own 2~maybe the kiddy play area wasnt such a good idea!anyway,dont know how long you've had your plot but i'd try to ignore "her" & her rumours & spend a bit of time getting to know some of the other plotholders & hopefully in time they'll all see you for who you are not what she claims you are,Good Luck!

[Pootle]

Thanks everyone! I'm feeling a little bit more chilled today, but although I'd planned to go and do something on the plot this morning (the girls are back at school - yay!) I'm worried that it'll all start up again and get my stress levels back up again

I think I'll take an ipod and have a good excuse to ignore her!