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Crap Birthday

37 replies

ChrisMcCleanInvincibilityStatue · 27/01/2024 20:55

First Post on Mumsnet, although I've been a long-time lurker. So today's my birthday. As usual, just another crap day stuck at home. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said this is the worst birthday I've ever had!! I always feel unappreciated. I don't ask for much but even on my birthday, nobody can make an effort just for this one day!
I separated from my husband nearly 2 years ago. I'm raising 4 children single handed with absolutely no support. Their dad isn't interested, and I know I could be considered one of the lucky ones that I do get money from him each month. It works out at £25 per child. Which isn't much when taken into consideration on the grand scale of things.
I've been in a (new) relationship for just over a year. However I keep having doubts whether I'm just settling. The guy means well but as we don't live together. I still feel like I'm alone and doing everything myself.
As for today, my youngest daughter had a friend's birthday party. Because her other friends were attending, and not wanting her to feel left out. I agreed she could go, and I'd do something for my birthday another day. So my partner arrives early afternoon, and not long after, he tells me he had left his wallet back at home. He had pre paid his train ticket (hence not realising until halfway into his journey). So, the takeaway plans (which were meant to be a small comfort) went up in the air. Cue the whack of disappointment which I'm used to, hitting me in the face. Another birthday, where I'm feeling letdown and thinking, why do I bother. I was used to my ex, not making an effort for my birthday. Now it feels like deja vu all over again.
I had spent all week telling the kids that I wouldn't be having a Chinese because there are other takeaways I'd rather have. What did I end up having to settle for.....!? Yup, a Chinese!! Who had to pay for it...!? Me, out of my birthday money. Because I didn't want to touch my bank account with it being the end of the month and all my direct debits about to hit. I struggle so much financially that I do go without so much to ensure my bills are paid and my kids have what they need. My partner did say he will give me the money next time he's over. But it's the feeling that I've had to pay out and pay out for something I didn't want that makes me mad but sad too.
I've spent the majority of the day in tears. Because I feel like I'm never going to be happy. I'm always used to being letdown one way or another. I know I shouldn't compare. But last year my sister went abroad for a few days to celebrate her birthday. Whilst for mine, im sat at home eating a crappy chinese!! I've received messages saying, "Hope you've had a nice birthday." But I really want to tell people "no it's been crap, and probably the worst I've ever had." I thought perhaps just one day in a year, people could make an effort for me, but as usual, I'm proved wrong. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this. I just feel I need to rant and convince myself that I'm not being unreasonable!?

OP posts:
SquishyGloopyBum · 27/01/2024 21:44

Sod that. You should have got the takeaway you wanted anyway. So what if your DP doesn't eat it. He wasn't even paying for it!

ChrisMcCleanInvincibilityStatue · 27/01/2024 21:41

Thank you for the wishes. I settled on a Chinese because i had to pay for the food and its the only takeaway we all eat. What i prefer, DP doesnt like. So its was just meeting in the middle with the kids and DP. Also because i had to use my birthday money to pay for the takeaway as DP left his wallet behind. I couldnt afford to buy 'several' , and i really wanted a night off from cooking given the occasion. I'm just disappointed as personally it wouldn't have been my own choice. Its something I settled on for everyone else. Btw I don't want people to think I'm sulking over food. Its just one thing in a larger scheme of things. It's the usual, when I'm looking forward to something i usually end up disappointed. Its just that feeling of being unappreciated thats eating away at me. I'd love someone to make a fuss and make an effort. My partner tried to say we can all go out in half term to the zoo and have a day out. But I'm thinking that's not really what you would call my birthday. That's a treat for the kids, and not so much myself. I'd love to be surprised and have him tell me that
he's booked a nice restaurant, or he's taking me somewhere. It's not like I haven't talked about these things, or hinted/mentioned them. Instead of myself doing all the planning and arranging.
DP did get me a card and put something inside. But then I felt awkward because what he gives me, I can't match. Like for Christmas he gave me £50 which I put back in my son's savings. As I borrowed it when my car needed a service. But I only gave him (my DP) a t-shirt.
As I said I'm not really sure where im going with this besides a kind of therapeutic rant whilst DP is currently sat snoring his head off.

OP posts:
Christmaslights21 · 27/01/2024 21:37

Massive hugs OP. Your new partner sounds like a waste of space. You can make someone feel special on their birthday without spending a lot of money.

ghostyslovesheets · 27/01/2024 21:35

did you mean to post this @Lemonybanana

Lemonybanana · 27/01/2024 21:34

.

KreedKafer · 27/01/2024 21:18

My advice though it might sound harsh is the best present you can give yourself now is to make sure the next guy you date has a healthy bank account!

But the boyfriend’s friends could just as easily tell him to dump the OP for the same reason?

SouthLondonMum22 · 27/01/2024 21:18

I don't understand why it had to be a Chinese?

101Nutella · 27/01/2024 21:18

Happy birthday! I’m sorry it wasn’t what you had hoped for.

you know what is good though- this could be the last birthday you ever feel like this on. Because you are the main character in the book of your life. You have a whole year to plan a day of what you want for next time.

and a whole year to pay towards something nice for yourself.
how would a perfect birthday look for you? Make it happen.

theres no chance I would pay for and eat a takeaway I didn’t want, let alone on my birthday so I’d do some work to look at why you are letting it happen.

send yourself a cake or fizz and a card in the post. Whatever is your fave on birthdays. You can do that in advance. I send myself a lovely plant coz I enjoy them. And plan one nice thing to do eg a walk or cinema etc. it doesn’t have to cost a lot.

KreedKafer · 27/01/2024 21:16

I don’t understand why your takeaway had to be a Chinese. Why did the fact that you paid for it, rather than your boyfriend, mean that it had to be a Chinese?

Also could he not have ordered and paid with his phone?

Bluebelz · 27/01/2024 21:09

I’m sorry that does sound like a crappy birthday! It’s have been better if you’d just put on Netflix, got yourself a bottle of something nice and ordered your own takeaway!

Happy Birthday though!

My advice though it might sound harsh is the best present you can give yourself now is to make sure the next guy you date has a healthy bank account! You’re a grown up mum, don’t entertain any more irresponsible man children who ‘forget’ their wallet on your birthday and need a train ticket. You’re better off without that.

JanetareyouokareyouokJanet · 27/01/2024 21:09

Happy Happy Birthday to you!

try and be more assertive and don’t get a Chinese in future? Couldn’t your partner have ordered online via phone wouldn’t have needed his wallet.

For years and years I ruined my own birthday, I used to have a weird desire to wake up and it be this magical day where I feel amazing and am lavished with gifts. Completely ridiculous. But I think in the end I realised I needed to be more generally happy with my life. That way when birthdays came round I didn’t have such wild expectations.

you sound like you need more support everyday and not just a good birthday. I hope you get it.

MamaGhina · 27/01/2024 21:02

Happy Birthday OP. Why did you have to get a Chinese? Did your DP bring you a gift?