The Posse

There is a distinct and visible divide in Hackney when it comes to Mums in the Park. I observe this on my days when I look after Aimee. I go to the park or out and about on the streets and there you see them: 'The Posse'.
These are gangs of posh Mums that travel in fours and fives. Their children are all called Toby or Jeremys or Cassandras and Matty etc. Their prams are all over £500 and their clothing is strictly designer mail order.
And then there are the Hackney Mums. These Mums are, sometimes single, or in any case they don't work and they are always alone. Their kid or kids wear the best they can afford, but you can tell the difference. These Mums have only ever lived in Hackney and so did their parents and parents before them.
Whenever I go to the park, I quite enjoy striking up a conversation with any nearby parent as Aimee and their child play together. But I notice that the posh Mums, when in a gang, act instinctively like a herd of bison and form a corral against outsiders. I get barely a nod of acknowledgment or sideways no eye-contact chuckle but it's definitely a case of: you're not from our NCT class/ playgroup/baby yoga group (etc) so we're not gonna engage.
No, these Mums don;t accept outsiders. But the other Mums (and some Dads too) are only too friendly. Maybe the daily drudgery of looking after kids compels them to delight in speaking to another adult, but I really enjoy my time with these people. The common bond that we all share as new parents easily transcends any class barriers. Something that posh Mums could do with learning about.
Maybe I'm overgeneralisating, but Cat has also noticed this and we talked about it today, both commenting on similar incidents.
Ironically, I also notice that these posh Mums use the full width of 'Surestart' services that the borough provides, whilst the target group of parents simply don't.
But toddlers like Aimee know nothing of class barriers and prejudices. She simply smiles and plays with anyone who wants to join her. Life seems far simpler in toddlerworld.