To wonder why I bother😕

[user1498912461]

DM’s birthday today. I invited my mum, dad and siblings etc up for a mini tea party to celebrate. Made a large spread of food and bought lots of thoughtful gifts. DM proceeds to open the gifts and DS (6) asks if she can pass her presents around for everyone to open one each. I said to ds that it’s Granny’s birthday and she should really open her own presents and maybe he could help her. He asked her again and she said “that’s for your mother to decide”. I told him to “help” her open them and he ran off a into another room refusing to come back. Granny then refused to open them as he wouldn’t come back and watch her and stuffed the gift bag into a career bag to take home. She then loudly stated that he’d spoiled everything and that there’s no way I or my siblings would have behaved this way. I said that he’s only 6 and that sometimes children act silly and that she needs to lower her expectations. She sat there for the rest of her “party” with a face like thunder, even when we brought the cake out and sung happy birthday! Ds refused to sing and she spent the whole time looking at ds “not singing”. She left with her unopened gifts and stated that she’ll “remember this birthday for a long time to come”. Didn’t say goodbye to ds and the kitchen is now a bomb site that I have to 🧼 clean. Wondering why I bothered and thinking the whole thing was a disaster! 😔

[Hollowvictory]

How ungrateful. 8s she usually like that? Don't bother in future it's. Not worth the effort

[Houseworkavoider]

Your Dm shouldn’t have thrown a strop but honestly, no way would I let my Dc get away with that!
Two separate problems.

[pigsDOfly]

Did you say your mother is 6 or your DS?

In your shoes I certainly wouldn't bother again. Let her take her miserable, ungrateful self and be miserable and ungrateful on her own.

[Houseonahill]

I agree with housework your DM was unreasonable to throw a strip and not say thankyou or anything but at 6 your DS should understand other people have birthdays and not have a massive sulk because he couldn't open any presents.

[OKBobble]

How did you discipline DS for his misbehaviour?

[LEDadjacent]

You don’t mention going and telling him off for making a fuss and bringing him back? If you didn’t give it a good try to get him back she was probably appalled at your lack of parenting. She was still rude though.

[dinkydolphin]

Your child sounds like a bratt. I've never heard of a 6 year old acting like that.

[user1498912461]

She’s always like this and it’s badly affecting her relationship with DS. DS just asked why Granny is mean to him and that he is only a child (he’s repeating what I said that he’s only a child lol)

[Bookworm4]

What an odd thing for your DS to say, pass the parcels round for everyone to open, would he like that at his birthday?
I think your DS needs to learn everything isn't about him, your DM was a bit OTT and probably taken aback at his behaviour.

[Minniemagoo]

Yep, fault on all sides. Your MIL throwing a strip, your 6 year old behaving very rudely (at 6 they really should understand you dont open other peoples presents and not throw a tantrum) and you not pulling him up on it, perhaps best to have made him come back and apologise. I imagine after a lot of organising you probably feel it just all got out of hand.

[blackteasplease]

Surely if a child is acting up you just ignore them and show that they can't ruin the party?

[Bookworm4]

Saw your update, he actually says 'I'm only a child' oh dear you're obviously indulging his petulant carry on and giving him an excuse to parrot. I'd be mortified if any of mine behaved like an entitled brat.

[Minniemagoo]

Strop! Really hope your mum didn't strip!

[blackteasplease]

And then speak to them after DM has gone

[SoupDragon]

TBH, I would have given my DS a stern talking to when he stormed off in a strop because he couldn't open someone else presents and then sulked. That's bad behaviour no matter the age of the person celebrating their birthday. 6 is old enough to know how to behave at a birthday celebration.

That said, I wouldn't be overly impressed with a sulking mother either.

[GruciusMalfoy]

My 7 year old would be in trouble for this. By 6 they should have learnt that the "birthday person" is the one who opens gifts, not everyone else. I wouldn't make a big deal of it, but I'd let it be known I was going to have a word with him in the other room.

[user1498912461]

Dinky - you clearly don’t know many 6 year olds 🤔Yes I did tell him off and try and get him back into the room but I couldn’t force him to come out.

[Creamwhite]

Your mum was BU. Weird attitude for an adult. If my daughter one day throws me a birthday party I will be absolutely touched.

[blackteasplease]

It was an odd request from a 6yo in the first place I agree- maybe aged 3 or something but 6 should be able to let an adult open their own presents

That said your Mum going into a strop and glaring at a child is super weird.

[user1498912461]

I did tell him that it was her birthday and her gifts and that he could try and help him open them.

[Easterbunnyiscomingsoon]

Easy to see where ds gets his dramatics from...
Both need a naughty step!

[WhoKnewBeefStew]

Your Mum was acting like a 6 yr old

Your ds was rude

Terrible behaviour on both sides

[Frenchmontana]

Hmm he said he is an only child randomly

I guess that's what he says to make you feel bad for him? I take it him being an only child isnt something you are happy with.

Both his statements about nana not liking him and the only child bit, are to make you pander to him and I bet you do.

[SoupDragon]

and that he could try and help him open them

Why should he help her open them?

[sillysmiles]

I wonder if this is a reflection on DS acting up alot more than just this one incident.