Moms Club Throwdown
Hey, remember that column I wrote last week about my problems finding a playgroup to call my own? Part of it detailed my experience attending a Green Hills Moms Club event (Green Hills, for those of you outside Nashville, is one of Nashville's wealthiest neighborhoods) and feeling both a little bored and a little out of place.
Since the column ran, I've gotten e-mails, letters, and personal thanks from moms who've had similar experiences with playgroups. But I heard nothing from the members of the Moms Club.
Until today.
Apparently, they all got together last night and burned an effigy of me while chanting their Moms Club vows, because I've gotten a number of angry comments from them since then. They have tried to convince me that I actually did not see a Mercedes and Lexus parked at the sparsely-attended member event I wrote about and that their members actually are penniless slobs just like me, although Google searches of their names turned up everything from Junior League and other chi chi Board memberships to prestigious universities and places of employment.
No matter. It all brings up an interesting issue. My column was not a fluffy features piece on playgroups. It was my own personal experience, not as a journalist exposing playgroups, but as a suburban mom considering my toddler's (and my own) social options. And honestly, reading back over the column, I think that I come out looking like the biggest loser of all.
Several of the Green Hills moms have expressed outrage that I, a mother myself, poked fun at a moms group. But from what many of you have told me, I'm hardly the only one who's felt like an outsider at a social event that's purportedly for kids. I'm curious to know what you think. Are we as moms obligated to support each other, no matter what? Or is there a benefit to being honest about our feelings, even when they aren't warm and fuzzy?
And Green Hills Moms, feel free to respond in the comments, but remember that the column was about my own experience searching for a moms' group, not some grand citywide statement on Moms Clubs, and also remember that cursing at me and putting down my neighborhood really does nothing to further your cause.
Since the column ran, I've gotten e-mails, letters, and personal thanks from moms who've had similar experiences with playgroups. But I heard nothing from the members of the Moms Club.
Until today.
Apparently, they all got together last night and burned an effigy of me while chanting their Moms Club vows, because I've gotten a number of angry comments from them since then. They have tried to convince me that I actually did not see a Mercedes and Lexus parked at the sparsely-attended member event I wrote about and that their members actually are penniless slobs just like me, although Google searches of their names turned up everything from Junior League and other chi chi Board memberships to prestigious universities and places of employment.
No matter. It all brings up an interesting issue. My column was not a fluffy features piece on playgroups. It was my own personal experience, not as a journalist exposing playgroups, but as a suburban mom considering my toddler's (and my own) social options. And honestly, reading back over the column, I think that I come out looking like the biggest loser of all.
Several of the Green Hills moms have expressed outrage that I, a mother myself, poked fun at a moms group. But from what many of you have told me, I'm hardly the only one who's felt like an outsider at a social event that's purportedly for kids. I'm curious to know what you think. Are we as moms obligated to support each other, no matter what? Or is there a benefit to being honest about our feelings, even when they aren't warm and fuzzy?
And Green Hills Moms, feel free to respond in the comments, but remember that the column was about my own experience searching for a moms' group, not some grand citywide statement on Moms Clubs, and also remember that cursing at me and putting down my neighborhood really does nothing to further your cause.
150 Comments:
I feel it is only right that we get to see the comments that you have received thus far in order to judge their merit ourselves.
The comments are linked in this post. Let me know if you have trouble finding it.
Hmm.. maybe I'm doing something wrong? All I see is a link to the original column....
can't trust eveything you read on google??? Who from that playgroup drove a lexus? And who is in the junior league? Dude i am in that group and live in a dump in slyvan park that my husband i scrap by to renovate our dump in the 37209 zip code.
ps: what does the junior league do? do you know?
Oh my. After all of the comments you've received, I can see how they have really proven your original feelings wrong. NOT!
Wow. I'm so glad I was too timid to even try getting into a mom's club when my kids were little.
Thanks for saying what you have, regardless of your critics. There are more of us that feel the way you feel than you will ever know.
I feel sorry for you all that don't venture out to play with other moms - we do have a blast with our little ones. I know my sons will have memories as will i that will last a lifetime. and most of those memories cost us nothing. Don't judge people based on their bank accounts or what you think they are or a zip code - i am certain you don't want others doing that to you or hell maybe you do ... in which case i feel even more sorry for you and a little scared.
PS: Yo ST would love to see that all that journalistic research you did on our club -- when i google gh moms i don't see a mention of money, lexus's, junior league, just a club offering support to other moms...also i know of the 55 members i don't think i know of anyone driving a lexus or maybe i just don't care as long as i like the person and my kids are having fun...i say this as I drive my 86 ford winstar that my 2 pups and my 2 kids trash on a reg basis. Ps: paid cash for it with my waitressing tips back in the day:) all the while living in the 37209...go figure:)
Again, I am sorry that the Green Hills Moms club was not for you. I still don't think you gave it a chance though. Yoou said so yourself it took nearly 2 years for your current playgroup to really take.
Also so if we all did drive BMW's and the like and all chaired some type of function? Does that make us mean or unsupportive, or bad moms?
We have a diverse membership, we have members from Japan,California, and girls like me that grew up here. We are not all best friends, but we have a mutual respect for eachother because we know what the day in and day out is like. Thats our deal, nothing more nothing less. So please quit bashing our club, it is a onderful organization and one I am proud to be president of. Again, you are welcome try it out again if you want and would urge you to if your going to continue to write about us.
Gertie, try refreshing your page and see if you don't see the link halfway down this post.
Anonymous, I know all about the Junior League. My mom was a member.
I have to say, too, that there've been a number of debates on this site and so far, your Moms Club is taking the cake in rudeness- which surprises me, considering that the recent Pageant Mom debate was much more contentious.
I'm not even sure why you're spending so much time and effort trying to prove that despite evidence to the contrary, you're all actually living in dumps and are uneducated and poverty-stricken. That wasn't the point of the column, anyway.
I have nothing against the GHMC members or anyone who wants to join- I think I made it very clear that it wasn't for ME (and also made it clear that I felt like the loser for not feeling like I fit in)- and now that I'm getting some of these nasty comments, I'm thinking I definitely made the right decision.
I think these posts require a little self reflection, Lindsay.
You're judging books by their covers after one meeting, which is what you're saying is so bad about the GH mom's club. I think its a mark of someone who is very insecure, and that's ok, because a lot of people are. Don't put others down to make yourself feel better. Even if you were being judged.
Egads! How terrible, the one with the foul mouth! I guess it goes to show that neither money nor zipcode are any indication of class. I was quite frankly embarrassed for that individual. She's a mother? The GHMC should not be so concerned about how you are portraying them, but how one of their own is portraying herself.
People need to chill...everyone is entitled to their own opinion and Lindsey has made it very clear that it was her OWN experience.
Hey ST! Some of us are hopping our really expensive cars and heading out to the pumpkin patch this afternoon around 3 -- if you and "baby" are looking to hang you should joiun us i am sure i can sport ya a pumpkin or two if you can't afford it! Or if it rains we are thinking adventure science or hell maybe bellevue mall which would be closer for you --save on gas:) You down? I mean come on let us rich bitches show you awful we really can be ya know -- then you could really write yourself a novel about your struggles as a modern mom in Nashville being subjected to our horribleness!
ps: you did we only want open minded mothers!
don't you get tired of all of these cowards who post under anonymous
The problem is ladies is that her experience is a lie. That playgroup she went to was full of the sweetest most welcoming mothers and not one of them drove an expensive car or cares. She wrote lies and that is wrong....i mean FUCKING wrong!
OUCH! I can see why you didnt want to be a part of their group by reading their comments!
I have tried many groups around here. One I loved, the others, ummmmm....let's just say my experience was alot like yours! :) Outsiders are usually not treated well in an already established group. Women can be so catty.
Dang Lindsey...you messed with a specific mom's club BY NAME? You've got cajones. Next time you might want to say something like, "My neighbor, John Smith, social security # 232-55-7825, is totally a pedophile."
These ladies are going to get you now. Seriously...your tires are going to be slashed before the day is through.
Good luck, Lindsey. And if you see any snickering mamas peeping through your window..duck.
I guess GH stands for gritty ho's
Well it only makes sense our members would be upset by the review Lindesay gave us. We work hard for this club. We are here to be a support and we don't judge. While Lindesay may not have liked us others do and we are a great group of women who work hard to provide a supportive enviroment for the stay at home mom. When something you love is bashed I am sure you come out fighting as well.
it is not cowardness it is laziness...my name is Angela! It is just easier to mark it anonymous. I mentioned that a few posts back. I have put HOURS into the GH MOMS to help people feel welcome and have fun and to have it lied about in print by someone who came to one event with an obvious picture of what she thinks is a women who lives in Green Hills or surrounding areas.
ps: so what is so bad about the Junior League anyways? I am not familiar with the organization.
gritty ho's -- pretty funny!!!
What is sweet to you, might not be sweet to others, ya dig?
and what is offensive to some might not be to others...ST should have not named names and just said she tried some local groups....well that and TOLD THE FUCKING TRUTH!
WOW! I am really amazed at the language of annonymous. But what she needs to understand is that the column reflected your personal opinion of the playgroup that day.
I personally experienced your very same situation when looking for a playgroup for my daughter. I had just moved into my town and knew absolutely no one. I learned about a club called Mothers Center of the Jersey Shore. I decided let me go to a play date and meet the moms. I went and introduced myself to the president. She greeted me and introduced me to the others. They all said hello and promptly turned around and continued on thier conversation. At several moments I tried to join in. They would smile and then quickly go on as though my daughter and I did not exist.
A few weeks later I found myself chatting with the president to my local MOMS club chapter at the library. She told me about the club and invited me to go to one of thier events. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! They were extremely welcoming and friendly. I have been in the club ever since. Of course you have a few apples in the bunch that make things a bit sour, but you get that anywhere.
That MOMS Club wasnt a right fit...you are in every way entitled to write exactly how you saw it. Freedom of Speech!
I do dig....but I am sweet. You should meet me. I love the Moms club and I love my kids, and I want everyone to have the support I do. I would love for any of you to check us out. We have tons of events and would love for you to come to one of them. I promise you will find someone you like.
All hail freedom of speech so why does the F word just amaze you all...you know we all work VERY hard to make the GH MOMS not un-welcoming. The thing is she is lying about the playgroup that day, that is offensice to us all.
Lindsay,
Quoting you:
“Google searches of their names turned up everything from Junior League and other chi chi Board memberships to prestigious universities and places of employment.”
I’m having a hard time believing this after reading some of their comments, spelling, grammar, and punctuation? Now, come on girl, individuals that obtain this type of education are certainly familiar with spell check, no? Also, the one with the potty mouth, good lord, she is the one sending the worst messages out about the group.
Leslie, however, I really see the sincerity in her comments, she seems more upset that you didn’t have a good experience and would obviously like to better the situation. She may want to address the image some of the “Mommy’s” are giving off about the group, like, ASAP.
Hopefully, the majority of the members are more like her.
Lindsey, did Baby wear her 'Famous in Japan' t-shirt? Maybe that's where you went wrong. :)
Actually, Leslie, you all are the pretty much the first to "come out" this way. Thousands of women read this site and have for more than a year, and they're all very civil, even when they strongly disagree with me or with other commenters.
You don't even realize what a disservice your members are doing to your group with their comments. I mean, this is seriously unprecedented (and, um, highly amusing, too, because! A real honest-to-god throwdown! AWESOME!)
Yo ST - defending yourself is not a diservice. We are standing up for our club and it's members. You said mean things about us and most specifically those girls that welcome you and your baby to that brunch and you dit it with lies! We take care of eachother and are not going to let you lie about our club or what we do. We do a lot of great things for eachother, our children, our community, and ourselves!
-- so throw down lindsay it's on:) LOL love it!!!
Linds,
This totally calls for some new T-shirt prints!
I'll wear one!
Does it just not matter that Lindsay is telling lies in her article? Or is just clouded to you all by the amazing F word?
Lies? Oh, girl, please.
Leslie, I'd totally come back for another visit, but I'm pretty sure that my eyes would be scratched out and my kids really need me to be able to see for carpool purposes.
I did try to go to, I believe, 4 other member events, but hardly anyone (and in two cases, no one) was attending them, so believe me, I did try to give it another shot. But sparsely attended events was frankly another reason I decided membership wasn't worth it.
Hi Lindsay,
Can I just first say that I'm sorry you missed the GHMC gathering at my house a few Fridays ago. I do appreciate you emailing me later and explaining why you did not come after all.
It strikes me that you have a major lack of material for your column, which you must intentionally make controversial, and so you opted to attack a support group. Why don't you go for some junior league members in AA next? C'mon Lindsay, you can do better than that.
I don't feel any members of the GHMC need to defend their economic status nor previous organizational memberships. We all support each other. You would have found the support you needed if you weren't opportunistically looking to forwarding your writing career instead. That is sad for your and your child.
Susan Yoshimura
Well I am sincere, and yes my spelling and grammer suck. I am upset though, because LF named us in the paper. I work very hard for this club and to see it slandered in the media is upseting. Plus I want other moms to feel welcomed beause it is a great organization. I know some of the emails posted may seem harsh to you all, but this is an organization we feel deeply about. Lindesay never met me, she only came to one event where only 3 members were. It's just not an accurate portrayal of our group. Those three who were there are sweet women and all so diverse. One is actually here just for a year from Japan, another has two older boys and then one young one and the other is a first time mom who judges no one because she is unsure herself. So I really can't see how Lindesay got the impression she did, but for some reason she did. I am truly sorry she felt it was not a fit, but one meeting can hardly make her certain of that don't you think?
We love talking to eachother and bouncing ideas off eachother and better yet learning from eachother. Motherhood is damn hard and we can all use the help. So please don't take any of this to be true, or at least don't knock it till you try it.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
For the record, I'm a transplanted Bellevue-ite currently residing in the 37206 zip - if I had kids, I'd be in that Bongo group.
The two Green Hills women who commented with their names in the other post made their points respectfully and well.
After the third anonymous comment, I had to stop reading. I skipped over every one in this post, too. Seems like he/she is pissed about you stereotyping Green Hills, but had no problem doing the same about Bellevue. Hypocrisy, anyone?
Besides, every neighborhood has it's label. If you're going to get offended about it, don't talk to anyone. I embrace my neighborhood's stereotype. I'm proud to say that I'm a gay, young, redneck, black, crack addicted, yuppie law student with a pit bull, a '76 Pinto with hydraulics, and 3 misdemeanors on my record who drives to the one half of Bellevue Mall that still has stores in it to shop. Welcome to the East Side!
(sorry, didn't mean to delete the last one)
As the sister to a single mom who recently bought a house in Bellevue, this is cracking me up. My sister graduated from Vandy (scholarship student) undergrad and grad school. Bought a condo in Green Hills where she lived for 10 years before renting in Bellevue and then (gasp) Ashland City. I'm just thankful that she plans to move to Williamson County when my nephew is older since she can't afford private school on her own.
Oddly enough, when she was still living in Green Hills, her friend who scored a Bell Meade trust fund baby accused her of being trailer park trash because she lived in Green Hills.
So, I guess if I want my nephew to stand a chance in his preschool (populated by Green Hills and Belle Meade babies) I can't take him back to that play place in the Bellevue mall?
Lindesay,
I am happy for the success of your blog, and am glad it gets moms talking, but why don't you get them talking abou something productive? I mean use your power for good.
I can't make you like us, but I would have appreciated you giving us a chance before you knocked us in print!
Just for arguments sake too, what if we all do drive a lexus or have a nanny, or are members of the junior league? Why would that matter, does that make us mean and crappy?
I am sorry that the events you tried to go were badly attended. The summer is slow, we are just getting back in the swing of things. We have a general meeting this Friday and our speaker is on Moms mental health, so it should be a packed house. Come check it out meet some of us!
I know you're just trying to get me riled up, but nothing I wrote about in my column was a lie. Plain and simple. I changed one detail to protect the "innocent," and that had to do with the playgroup mom who told me that the Green Hills Mom Club had a problem with cliquishness and catfighting. She actually mentioned that to me on more than one occasion over a period of months, but I didn't want the timeline of her comments to be obvious to Green Hills Moms Club members, because I didn't want to get her in trouble with any of you guys. Wise call, no? Otherwise, she'd probably have a few rocks through her windows by now!
Everything else was exactly as I saw it.
I love that the East Nashville moms took the wisecracks I made about their neighborhood with grace and good humor, while the GHMC is like, having conniption fits. I've already talked to a couple of people who are horrified and amused by the way you guys are coming off in these comments.
Also, you guys keep telling me I should've "given it another chance," but how many of us do that with anything? If we don't like something, why would we go back? I did try, but I certainly wouldn't expect other people to. Let's be realistic.
Maybe a moms night out would suit ya better...have a stiff one? I am not sterotyping bellevue moms or anyone that is our point we at GH MOMS are hoping to support everyone! Coexist and support eachother no matter what the zip code! I too have a pit bull, a record, a beatuful home, 2 great boys, and an attitude when it comes to people bagging and not telling the truth about my friends and fellow humans! You lied and talked shit in your article adn that is the problem! i encourage all of you to attend some of our events and see for self how much FUCKING fun and FUCKING nice we all are - ANGELA
Goodness such language coming from prominent members of the JL? Scandalous...
I can understand why you do not want to go back. By the comments that have been posted here, have not had a chance to read the others, I would not want to associate with them either. Keep your chin up Lindsay!!!
BTW Anonymous... totaly gutless!!!
Oh, about coming back....No one will scratch out your eye balls, in fact I would be your body guard. You should really come see what we are really all about.
This whole thing has gotten out of control. We just put so much time and effort to this club and it sucks to see it bashed!
Good lord.
I read Linday's first article last week, but had to go back and read it again today because I was sure I had missed something. But, nope. Same old article I read last week.
So, yeah. I don't understand what the GH Moms have their panties all in a bunch for.
People that read the first article (in the paper or on the blog) probably never gave your mommy's group another thought, I know I didn't. But after reading all your ass-hat comments and rebuttals I am now convinced that the GH mommy's group has some crazy bitches as card carrying members.
Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. But, the ladies of the GH group seem to want to control what everyone else is thinking and feeling. Which is reason in and of itself to steer clear of them.
(Now I will get ready for the ugliness to spew in my direction)
Does anyone realize during this little smack-down, that another plane crashed into a building in Ney York?
Lindsay, I had to create a blog, just to post! Ha!
Sweet Jesus, why would anyone want to attend that group after reading the comments they are writing?
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Lindsay didn't have a positive experience and it's her right to express that, even if it's in a newspaper article. Just as it's another mom's right to attend the group and form a completely different opinion.
I thought the article was well written and appreciated it, as I've had a somewhat similar experience. I thought it was funny and a bit sarcastic, but she NEVER said anyone treated her poorly, nor did she insult anyone.
Enough with the snide comments and insults. Discuss it like adults.
As one of the current presidents of the club I feel like I have been nothing but polite through all this.
As far trying it again, you tried for 2 years with your other group so you said. Why not try one more event with us?
Can you not understand why we are upset? Would you not be upset if someone bashed something you worked hard on?
I posted anonymous so i would not have to create a blog but now i have. Does that make me gutless or just lazy???
You know if someone lied about your friends and your passion in the paper you all would stand up or at least i would hope you would as fellow human beings – get each others backs or does that mean just be silent these days? Maybe that is what is wrong…peeps to afraid to speak up when LIES ARE BEING TOLD!
I guess you all don't use the F word....pretty fucking funny that it has you all pseudo open minded ladies all up in arms or rather it appears to have:)
GH MOMS rule and welcome everyone...don't knock it until you have really tried it...and if you did try it again...that is what I tell my kids about broccoli too. And if an organized club is not for you then be chill and move on – find your support else where…OR>>>>write an article about it – tell lies – and get it printed….options options options!
ps the issue is SHE LIED IN THE ARICLE! THAT IS WHY WE ARE UPSET!!!
OK the Trainspotting/diamonelle bit about East Nashville is the best part. I missed all this last week and am just catching up. HA!
Where did you study journalism? Your fact-finding techniques seem a bit lazy. You attended one (or two) activities with the Green Hills MOMS club and met about 4 or 5 of the more than 45 members and this is what you base your article on? Shame on you.
You're inaccurate comments about the 4 or 5 members you met couldn't have been more wrong. On top of that, your comments don't describe the wonderful and caring moms in the entire MOMS Club at all.
Household financial statements are NOT what bring us together. It's the common desire for support and comradery among moms with young children that bring us together.
In your meager fact-finding mission, did you actually ask these moms what their household incomes are? Did you ask them where they buy their clothes? Because if you had, you would receive a wide-range of responses. Some of us live in 3-room houses, buy our clothes at the consignment sales, work part-time jobs, attend school part-time, etc.
As for the plastic reference, many of us rarely wear make-up which, clearly, you do.
Your prejudice reminds me of those who deem a dark-haired, dark-eyed, dark-skinned person to be a terrorist.
Some people who write inaccurate statements and associate actual names with those statements find themselves in a libel or defamation of character lawsuit.
So, it's a shame you couldn't take time to get your facts right. If you had, you may have found what a great group of women AND moms we are!
I just reread the article. I'm not sure I understand why you were mad about Margaret's comment about the club being to social. Isn't that what you don't really like about the GH club? Am I missing something?
Also, I'm having my first baby in Janurary, and am scared to death of trying to find a play group after reading all of these comments.
too social. Not to social. After reading the comments about making spelling errors I thought I should fix that.
April,
You should check us out. We do lots of fun stuff. One great thing is that we bring meals to new moms for weeks after the birth.
We have many events a week, we do service projects and if you are interested we can set you up with a playgroup. It's a great group despite what others have said. Check us out at greenhillsmoms.com
Two things 1) ya'll are proving Lindsay's article totally RIGHT. Rumor has it ya'll like to catfight, and all you moms are proving her right!
2) Why isn't anyone this mad about her generalizations about East Nashville and how everyone there is trying to steal from her to fuel their crack habit?????????
Hello? Too busy catfighting to see THAT?
April, I wrote that Margaret said she was looking for something less social and had come to my playgroup to find it.
Does that clear it up for you?
Leslie, I will come back to your Moms Club. But if even ONE of you pulls my hair, it's over! Ha!
Anyway, name your date. I'm not going to argue with you ladies. It was my perception and I stand by it. But I will give you an opportunity to prove, as Angela said, "how much FUCKING fun and FUCKING nice you all are."
Call it catfighting or whatever. I call it standing up for the truth and your friends! I saw her baggin on the east nash set too...I was in all my cussing-ness defending all ya'll:-) Can't we all do our thing and not get written about in the paper ...oops i mean lied about!
ST: can't wait to hang out! I bet our kids will have much fun!!
The East Nashville playgroup mom I met who commented on the post wasn't angry about the column at all.
Great! I am glad you'll come back! Ou membership vp will get in touch with you and give you some options of things to come to. I am looking forward to meeting you after all this, and I hope you you will get a better sense of what we are all about.
You're a lot braver than I would be right now Lindsay. There is no way I would be going back to the group.
You wrote about what you experienced, obviously not what they feel their group was about, but what you felt. There's nothing wrong with that.
I understand those of you from GH who feel attacked. You don't agree and you don't like it. The problem is, with the exception of Leslie, you're all proving her right.
Instead of stating your case the way mature people do, you've attacked her writing, her looks, and cursed all over her blog. Can I come over to your house, stand in your yard and yell 'F you' at your door? Would that be acceptable?
It's ok to disagree, that's part of being human. But there is a way to do it respectfully that will get you heard, and a way to do it where no one will listen to anything you have to say.
Personally, I'm thankful and full of optimism that it's not just zitty, Jr High version of my self esteem that feels this way. I loved you for it. Still do.
Wow. You're going back? Leslie sounds wonderful but Angela sounds really aggressive. Good "fucking" luck. Oh, and if you haven't already taken a look at http://www.matchingmoms.org/, you might see what's in your area. I met several nice moms this way when I first moved to my area, and it's a national organization, I believe. (I just ran a couple of Nashville zips through the search engine and came up with lots of matches. Maybe there are some for your specific area.) Lemme know if that works for you. Now that my son is in kindergarten, I meet moms all the time, but Matching Moms was great when my son was a wee one.
agressive....LOL LOL LOL LOL!!! That is too funny! I guess it makes one agressive if they stand up for their friends and the truth and use of the F word...LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL.
I guess I don't really understand what she meant by "less social", and so that is why I am not understanding what bothered you about it. Maybe I need some caffeine. Also, I am begging you to not go back there. Some of them sound scary.
Angela and anyone else, I am deleting all further comments claiming that I lied. That is completely ridiculous and offensive and I find it interesting that those of you who've made that claim weren't actually there.
Obviously, I stand behind everything I wrote, so you're just beating a dead horse.
Wow, my MOMS Club and MOMS Club International only threatened to sue me for writing about (my personal and not great) experience with them.
They didn't send their members to blather on and on with ridiculous comments.
The thing I realized about my MOMS Club: it's just not for everyone for a variety of reasons. Getting insulted is silly, not everyone clicks. So be it.
This is hilarious. Lindsay, you write beautifully and I loved this piece because it reflected elements of how I felt about my mother's group. In AUSTRALIA. We were completely different types of people, and that's what rang true about Lindsay's article.
The sad thing about the comments is that it shows me (again) that being controversial is no longer acceptable in America. All this over a mum's club?? Just as well the anonymous commentors aren't running government policy. Or perhaps they are, and that's why the world's in such a sad mess.
This is what Mugsy wrote on your blog....so if someone there says you lied. for the record mugsy does not drive a lexus nor is she a member of junior league.
Mugsy said...
Well, I seem to be the one deemed "Mugsy"!! WOW--that's really all I've been thinking reading through all of your comments about the GHMC! I'm just so shocked at the way you have slandered this group of mothers! ya know, I actually thought you were a really nice person--I felt we carried on a really great conversation and actually felt an instant connection with you--so much for feelings, right?!! I actually recall you talking about what a bad experience you had finding a playgroup in Bellevue--and I don't even recall a conversation about dinasour chicken nuggets! You didn't seem to have a hard time chatting it up with everyone (all 3 of us) either--and I thought "baby" had a great time in the wagon (that was given to me by my neighbors)!
Speaking of sweet "baby", she certainly wasn't decked out in Old Navy (a fav place of mine, by the way). I seem to remember she had on a "smocked dress that my grandmother made for me, and now I'm letting my daughter wear".
Anyway, I don't want to get into the insults, like you so did, but just had to comment about your blog--I guess I'm just sorry you felt the way you did about a group of AWESOME people that you barely know! Oh, and for the bubble machine (that kids LOVE) you can get one at Big Lots--7 bucks!
apparently our government is being run by people who jump to conclusions, judge people based on money, looks, clothes, etc. we don't do that iat GH MOMS and we stand up for the truth! MUMS NOT THE WORD!
Those Green Hills ladies really got their panties in a bunch, ay?
He, he, he... I love the way you give it right back to them, without lowering yourself to their cussing, back-biting level.
AW, the 'east nash set' has a sense of humor. We're used to being stereotyped, I guess, because we don't get our panties in a wad over a stereotype.
1) Didn't say Mugsy drove the Lexus
2) Didn't say Mugsy was in the Jr. League.
3) Perhaps Mugsy's response to me that she just couldn't give her daughter those "processed" chicken nuggets of which I spoke will jar her memory? Or the offer she made to heat up some soy nuggets for Baby right there on the spot? Embarrassing! I was so embarrassed! And that exchange was in the original version, but I took it out because frankly, Mugsy would have come out looking far worse if I'd left it in.
Again, Angela. This is your final warning. You seem to have some issues that have nothing to do with me. I have your IP address, your full name and your place of business and I'm asking you politely not to bother me anymore.
My issues are with your story about our club I have made that clear. I have a huge sense of humor. Feel free to contact me directly anytime ST since you have my info :-) You are free to contact me. Why is it so wrong to you people to stand up for the truth?
ps: my panties are most def not in a wad...and what is so wrong with cuss words?
Not to come off like a bitch, but what is this 'truth' that we're all missing and that you're standing up for? Understandably, I may have overlooked something in the fafillion comments before this, but I have yet to figure out what AW's point is, other than there were 'lies' in the article.
Normally I'd let it go, but, hell, now I've got a lot of time invested in this dang thing.
I'm wondering the same thing, Jag, but the baby's awake and I've got to resume my life now.
I don't think that someone who wrote lies would so readily agree to go back to another meeting. I'm not ashamed of the opinions I formed about my experience. They are what they are. I can see that you don't like them. I didn't expect you to. Point taken.
BTW, can I just ask one thing - isn't this group about the kids? Lindsay, do you really want Baby to hang out with kids whose mothers are like this?
The issue is that we work hard for this club, it means alot to us. We think LF depicted us incorrectly in her article. It got us upset yes, so of us are more colorful in our language and our are passionate about the club, and use cuss and whatever to defend it.
The problem our club is great and she belittled it in black and white. So yes were upset, how each of us decide to explain it, is to each there own.
AW is a personal bff of mine, and while you guys may find her a little agrressive she just loves our club. She has been a member for 3 years and met all kinds of moms and made great friends. She is a passionate gal.
Again, I think LF had already made up her mind about us before she ever came to anything. She just got it wrong and we just wanted to set the record straight.
What is it that i am saying that you are not? You are judging me now and my kids. Me and my lil dudes are A-ok. I have been given my final (and i guess my first warning by ST) so I am done. But I stand by every fucking word i wrote. Those were my pals you wrote smack about and a club I have personally poured hours into helping to maintain as have VERY dear women i am lucky to count as friends. The women at that event have spoken about what went down and it does not match what you wrote. Chicken nuggets...who knew.
and my playgroup for my children it has been the experience others dream of for their kiddos. Peace out to all of you for speaking up...freedom of fucking speech is a GOOD thing! I will sleep well tonight as I hope you all do:)
ps: ST would love to hang sometime and see if we can't broaden your opinoins of our little MOTHER FUCKING MOMS CLUB!! Yeeeehaw........and I am out.
Ugh. This kind of back-and-forth is what puts people off meeting new people. It's so damn difficult as it is. Then people start in with the perceptions and judgements and catty, back-stabbing attitudes. But that's any social group. Not just this mom's club. It's happened in a sport club I was a member of. So I stopped going. Oh well. I'll find something else. It's not like it's life-or-death, Crips vs. Bloods. I don't have the time or the energy to waste trying to 'play the game' that someone wants me to play so I can fit in. This might also explain why I have approximately 5 friends and I avoid PTA meetings like the plague.
I don't think anyone has done anything except state their opinions, of which I'm sure no one is going to change based on reading what's been commented here. Doesn't anyone have a kid that needs a diaper changing?
This has all gotten out of hand. I know Angela, and she is very nice. She is speaking from her heart and defending a group that she has worked very hard at. People are taking her comments the wrong way.
As a member of the GH moms club it is offensive to read Lindsey's article and be stereotyped into something that we are not. It is obvious that it is Lindsey's opinion from a one time meeting of 3 people from the group