Crazy Scout Leader

Updated on September 13, 2010
K.B. asks from Dulles, VA
13 answers

. I wanted to be able to get into a troop and make a good impression before she tried to make me look like a troublemaker. The woman put me on the spot asking me if I had been in a troop. I saId, well, yes x's troop. She told me "X GAVE UP her troop and now others are running it." WOW. I am SO excited. Thanks.

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S.H.

answers from San Antonio on

What a nut! I had such a terrible experience with my girlscout troop leaders in 2-4 th grade that I quit and 30 years later I'm still disappointed. I used to go to boyscout meetings w/ my brother (M. was a leader) and those were so fun!

I would write her a letter about how bizarre her behavior is, about how it's not just about her and her child, about how girlscouts do sing and do other stuff, too and about how maybe she needs to change her perspective or step down. Stop apologizing!!! And CC that letter to the Girl Scouts of America. Seriously. She's ruining the experience of being a GS for so many people.

Good luck.

3 moms found this helpful

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M.R.

answers from Columbus on

Good greif.

I would speak to your service unit manager or the council rep for your service unit. I would usually say, just work it out for the girls, but I would say that this is unstable behavior, and that is kind, and I don't think that she is a control freak, she is not in control of what a leader should be in control of in any sense of the word. As leaders, we are supposed to be good examples and guide the girls to learn to lead themselves as they gradually take on more and more responsiblity. I don't see how that is possible if she has already noted that this is not within her nature.

Sisters to every girl scout don't care if they are the one who gets the patch or not, but mothers to some girl scouts do.

If your daughter wants to be involved in scouting, find an establised troop with a real leader, not a freak in control (could not resist!) Your daughter can learn so much and have a great experience.

This woman just sounds unstable, and the council needs to know.

M.

Just start your own troop...since your daughter seems to be disintersted in this one, and you seem to be doing what leaders do already. Really, a small troop of interested girls with a good leader is much better anyway. It is more fun for them too.

7 moms found this helpful

D.H.

answers from New York on

Your daughter can join as a Juliette and participate in the council-sponsored events. You can do badge work with her and maybe another little girl or two. She doesn't need to be part of a troop, particularly if that's the only troop.

I've encountered weird parents who want to control who their own daughter hangs out with. But this takes the cake. As for the patch, she's the leader! She can just give the patch to her daughter for at least trying! Its a dang patch not a gold medal!

4 moms found this helpful
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T.V.

answers from Seattle on

I was going to say what Martha said...you need to talk with the Service Unit Leader. They should be made aware of what's going on.
As far as finding another troop, there must be another troop able to take on 1 more girl. I know in our Service Unit, there is 1 leader who is assigned to finding the right troop within the SU for a particular girl who is interested in joining or changing troops. Don't just take a leader's word that they aren't taking anymore. They just might not want to. But unless they have a minimum amount ( I want say 10, but not sure) I'm pretty sure they have to accept another member to the troop. In any case, your SU Leader will be able to help you!
Good luck and don't waste anymore time with this woman. She isn't worth it and you and your daughter don't need the stress. You will be much happier somewhere else...and the SU Leader will help you with that!

2 moms found this helpful
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T.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I'm sorry, but this sounds like jr. high school. I would never let this woman have any influence in my daughters' lives. Run. Fast. Your daughter doesn't even want to be there. It's a non-issue,really.

2 moms found this helpful
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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

She's a nut. Ask your daughter if she wants to stay in the group and leave the decision up to her.

If you stay, ignore the nut.

2 moms found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

It doesn't sound like she is truly being a leader or a good scout. I think you handled it really well, a lot better than I would have--and probably better than most moms on here would as well. But now it sounds like you need to let her have it or just say forget it and move on next year. Being a leader is about more than taking total control.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Denver on

I'd quit. No explanation other than, "this isn't working for our family." GL.

2 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

I agree, ask your daughter what she wants to do and follow her lead for this year.. Next year join the other group..

I am so sorry this happened.. That lady is loony..I LOVED girl Scouts . Our leader was a loony too, and we girls new it, but our moms made up for it, by allowing us to have fun..

1 mom found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

You skipped a part... from "like a wimp, I apologized for upsetting her and for the misunderstanding. I am kicking myself now. I did nothing wrong and her accusations were nuts to me."

What accusations were made, what did you apologize for? In any case, this lady sounds like she is on the verge of a mental breakdown and I would join another troop... and never ever answer another one of her phone calls.

1 mom found this helpful

C.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

Control freaks should not be girl scout leaders! Girls and their parents should be able to socialize and RELAX at gatherings, not be dictated to. I think you should go with the woman that is starting a new one and she should try to migrate everyone but this control freak over to the other one. You are a patient woman I would've flipped out on her already (but I'm a redhead too lol). That woman should not be running a scout troop at all.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

The calling you and demanding that you go to her house at 9:30 p.m. would be enough reason for me to quit. Save yourself the aggravation and look forward to next year with a new troop leader.

1 mom found this helpful

J.B.

answers from Houston on

Wow, yeah I think I'd quit. Anybody who called me at 9:30 that wasn't related would not even get an answer! I just think she sounds like unstable person to me from what you posted. If I am understanding right, you went out, tried to get young girls to come to a troop? This is cause for late night calls and stress. I think joining a different group is probably a good idea. I think I also understand that she is your neighbor? Well there is some bad blood between me and a couple of my neighbors and you know, life goes on. The couple that are weird with us is because of stuff they did and we did not tolerate. Oh well.....anyway, it sounds like way to much drama to me and what busy mama has time for that!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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