AIBU to feel my in-laws have done wrong by my DD?

[MagpieMomma]

My PIL and SIL live on the coast, an hour away from us. We try to see them every two months, and will usually celebrate birthdays on the closest day possible. So my DD and my niece both have Nov birthdays. We saw them in Oct, when we celebrated mine and DH's. They came to us this Sunday, for an early Christmas lunch (we can't see each other over Christmas) and we gave our niece her bday gift. Nothing was said about my DD's, and at the end of the day my DD commented that we'd given her cousin something, but she'd not got anything.
They are well off and usually spoil the kids, so I'm guessing they genuinely just forgot. So, do I ask them/remind them, and risk embarrassing them and myself or do I suck it up and keep quiet, even though my DD was upset? For myself, I'd be mortified if I ever forgot a close relative's birthday, and would prefer a reminder than to have them keep quiet, but I am super emotional and hate for anyone to feel left out.

[Wayfarersonbaby]

I'd say something, so that it doesn't fester and cause any bad feeling. Just ring them and thank them for coming, and ask nicely if they had thought about what DD would like for her birthday, as it was in November and DD was wondering if they had remembered. They may just need a reminder!

[DearMrDilkington]

I wouldn't say anything. Nobody has to buy anyone a birthday present, it's just a nice gesture. Just leave it, it's not the end of the world.

[SmilingButClueless]

Maybe they've got your DD an especially-nice Christmas gift rather than giving her a late birthday present? That happened to me a few times when I was younger and didn't necessarily see relatives near to my birthday.

[ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual]

Ouch. It's unfortunate for your dd but I think you should just leave it. If I'd forgotten to give someone a gift I'd be a bit to be reminded I think. Unless it came up fairly naturally in conversation.

[JustWantToBeDorisAgain]

I think I would phone and say it was lovely to see them, but dd was upset as she thought they had forgotten her birthday, which you are sure isn't the case!

[ChocoChou]

I'd leave it

[ZogsAnon]

PA approach... Phone and say your dd is doing thankyou cards and you couldn't work out which one was from them as a couple had become separated from cards...

[Wellitwouldbenice]

Old fashioned manners apply here - you should be bringing up your daughter never to expect a gift.

[CaraAspen]

It must feel rotten for the child who has been forgotten, though. When people are present-giving, the very least they can do is be consistent.

[CaraAspen]

How hard can it be? Grrrrr

[MommaGee]

Manners do apply and no one should ever assume etc etc but this is a child who always gets presents off a relative, who sucked itvup whilst her cousin got hers instead of having a strop. I'd want reminding if she were my niece / grandchild. Can partner speak to them as its his family?

[Bestthingever]

You don't HAVE to give presents but you can't just suddenly stop giving a child. What does your dh think?

[Salmotrutta]

I wouldn't say anything. I tried to teach my DC not to "expect" gifts.

I understand that it's a bit off but if you just say "Be thankful for gifts you do get but don't expect to get things because sometimes people haven't been able to organise anything for some reason"

[Cherrysoup]

How old is your dd? Not even a card? I'd definitely be mentioning something, difficult to know what to say, tho.

[CaraAspen]

I think they should be told the child has expressed confusion and is clearly hurt.

[CherryChasingDotMuncher]

Your DD's grandparents didn't get her a birthday present?! That's awful! I know not all aunties and uncles do but really GPs should. I'd get your DH to say something to his parents - and to his sister something like "are we not doing presents for the kids then so we know for next year?"

[GruochMacAlpin]

I agree with the general principle that you shouldn't expect a gift but this is her Aunt and Grandparents and a gift is usual.

This happened to me as a child OP. My GP's forgot my birthday. My Dad had a quiet word (without mentioning anything about it to me). My Grandmother was appalled that she'd forgotten and grateful for the reminder.

She sent a lovely present and a special card. That was the year I learned the word "belated".

[Bluntness100]

No I wouldn't say anything, I suspect they forgot and are embarrassed by it. Maybe treat your daughter to a little something in way of lieu,

[MudCity]

I would definitely leave it and agree with other posters who have said that this is an opportunity to teach your DD never to expect a gift.

[BarbarianMum]

In the fence here. The parent in me would say nothing. But if I were a grandparent I would definately want to be reminded.

[MimiSunshine]

Of course you should say something, your daughter noticed and was upset, the fact that her cousin got a present shows they are doing Child's birthday presents.

Best case they somehow forgot, worst case they favour the cousin in which case they'll either be mortified but thankful you reminded them or know they can't pull that kind of crap with your child.

Just call and say she thought she'd been forgotten about but you e reassured her that's not the case.

[PuppyMonkey]

Very tacky to say anything imho. Could the cousin's parents have a quiet word with them, say thanks for the smashing prezzie and what did you get XX?

[HardcoreLadyType]

Old fashioned manners apply here - you should be bringing up your daughter never to expect a gift.


This.

[Lireal]

Perhaps they posted and it got lost?

[EweAreHere]

If anyone is going to say something, it should be your DH as it's his side of the family.