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AIBU?

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Mum not coming on Halloween - irked?

454 replies

CleverAzureDreamer · 22/10/2024 16:28

My mum has just let me know she’s having her hair done on Thursday evening next week so she won’t be coming over to ours to go trick or treating and watch a spooky movie with the kids (8, 10, 12). I’m slightly irritated by this as I thought it would have been nice to have a family night dressed up and go round taking the kids trick or treating.
I’ve allowed older DS to bring a friend over to come with us so it won’t be so empty but I just found it a bit selfish for a Nan to not want to spend Halloween with the grandkids! AIBU?

OP posts:
dreamer24 · 22/10/2024 19:43

Channellingsophistication · 22/10/2024 19:37

@Differentstarts oh the joy of never having watched Motherland you have it all ahead of you! I think it’s on Netflix but also BBC iPlayer. It’s utterly brilliant.

Agreed! It's sheer genius.

ChristmasInTheDistance · 22/10/2024 19:42

Drinkdrinkduuurink · 22/10/2024 19:16

Repeat for the English ignoramuses.

What's fascinating in this thread is the English-centric attitude in relation to British (and Irish) life. It's nothing new of course, I mean one of the major reasons the Scots who want independence for Scotland do so as they feel ignored by the English. Plus the BBC (that's BRITISH, not English, broadcasting corporation) is also very English-centric.

The English haven't got a bloody scooby do what is going on in these two isles beyond ENG-ER-LAND

Crikey! That’s quite an unpleasant post!
It’s not a competition as to who “owns” Halloween, Guising or whatever else it’s called, and not who is pushing one or other nation out! The OP was just saying her DM was not coming out on Halloween and she’s disappointed with her… I come from one home nation but live in another - I can assure you that Halloween is liked and disliked in equal measures wherever I have lived and peoples nationality is totally irrelevant.

Differentstarts · 22/10/2024 19:42

dreamer24 · 22/10/2024 19:41

@Differentstarts

Yes, but apparently it's only on until 9th November, which has saddened me! It's my go to pick me up, I've seen all the episodes so many times and it never fails to cheer me up.😃

Season 2, Episode 4 is the Halloween one 🎃

Thanks im looking it up now

dreamer24 · 22/10/2024 19:41

@Channellingsophistication
Ooh is it on BBC iPlayer too?! Ah panic over after it disappears from Netflix then 😂

ConcernedOfClapham · 22/10/2024 19:41

CleverAzureDreamer · 22/10/2024 16:42

No DH is working. I don’t struggle my kids do enjoy spending time with their Nan understandably and she normally enjoys being involved.

Working?

How selfish 😡

dreamer24 · 22/10/2024 19:41

@Differentstarts

Yes, but apparently it's only on until 9th November, which has saddened me! It's my go to pick me up, I've seen all the episodes so many times and it never fails to cheer me up.😃

Season 2, Episode 4 is the Halloween one 🎃

Differentstarts · 22/10/2024 19:39

Channellingsophistication · 22/10/2024 19:37

@Differentstarts oh the joy of never having watched Motherland you have it all ahead of you! I think it’s on Netflix but also BBC iPlayer. It’s utterly brilliant.

Thanks il have a look

Ihopeithinkiknow · 22/10/2024 19:39

@dreamer but her mum wouldn't be going out on her own would she? There would be a group of them and that is safer than 2 12 year olds on their own. The op was explaining that she didn't want the 12 year olds out on their own because of what has been going on around there and that's a sensible decision. Someone piped up saying that they wouldn't send their mother out when there has been sexual assaults and again that is another sensible decision. They were the ones insinuating that the op wanted to do just that lol the point was that they all went together which is gonna be safer all round isn't it.

Cosyblankets · 22/10/2024 19:38

I had no idea this was a thing

DappledThings · 22/10/2024 19:37

CrowleyKitten · 22/10/2024 19:34

I'm in my 40s, and it was always a big thing for us. we went trick or treating, decorated the house, carved pumpkins, had a party etc. and we weren't unusual in doing so. it's really not that new.
there's just better costumes and decorations now.

Im sure it's not new for plenty of people. Doesn't stop it being new for me. It's why I'm so massively uncomfortable with it as it just isn't anything I ever did or knew anyone do so it feels borrowed and false.

Channellingsophistication · 22/10/2024 19:37

@Differentstarts oh the joy of never having watched Motherland you have it all ahead of you! I think it’s on Netflix but also BBC iPlayer. It’s utterly brilliant.

ManchesterLu · 22/10/2024 19:36

CleverAzureDreamer · 22/10/2024 16:31

@Widowtoo It’s family time? Last year we had fun.

I don't think I know anyone who makes Halloween a family event. They might take the kids round the local estate, or they might have a party at school. Other than that, nothing. Halloween is pointless.

Channellingsophistication · 22/10/2024 19:36

I think you are unreasonable to feel irked by your mum’s decision. She’s been every year maybe she wants to give it a miss this time.

also inspired to rewatch Motherland - just genius.

Differentstarts · 22/10/2024 19:36

Why have I never seen motherland is it on netflix?

dreamer24 · 22/10/2024 19:34

@CrowleyKitten

Have you seen the Halloween trick or treating episode? It's brilliant. Anne's giant pea pod outfit in particular is... intriguing 😂

MrsSunshine2b · 22/10/2024 19:34

I'd have been mortified if I wanted to go trick or treating at 12 with my mate and my Mum sent my Gran to trail around after me. Surely by 12 he should be taking care of his gran, not the other way around! 😂

I can't imagine that following a couple of pre-teens around in the cold all night before coming back to watch a "spooky movie" would be high up on any elderly lady's bucket list either!

CrowleyKitten · 22/10/2024 19:34

DappledThings · 22/10/2024 19:31

I only became aware of it as a thing in the last couple of years once my children started school. It was never a thing anyone did when I was a child and I wasn't aware of friends doing it till pretty recently.

I don't think that means a narrow life. And certainly the idea of some family movie event then going out afterwards in a family group is very specific and definitely not something I know of anyone doing.

I'm in my 40s, and it was always a big thing for us. we went trick or treating, decorated the house, carved pumpkins, had a party etc. and we weren't unusual in doing so. it's really not that new.
there's just better costumes and decorations now.

SockFluffInTheBath · 22/10/2024 19:33

5128gap · 22/10/2024 17:55

I look after my DGC whenever I'm asked, overnights too. I've looked after them, doing the grunt work since they were born. I'd give them my last and walk over coals if they needed it. But if my DD thought at the age of 55 I'd go traipsing round the streets with my good white table cloth over my head interrupting my neighbours tea for a mini pack of haribo...she'd have another think coming.

😂

CrowleyKitten · 22/10/2024 19:32

dreamer24 · 22/10/2024 19:29

Anyway this thread has inspired to me watch the episode of Motherland where they all go trick or treating- such a good one! 😀

I love Motherland. past few years, actually, my costume has been Anna Maxwell Martins version of Beelzebub, in Good Omens.
admittedly a considerably chubbier version :P

DappledThings · 22/10/2024 19:31

Completelyjo · 22/10/2024 19:04

You’ve never met anyone in your entire life who has gone trick or treating or brought their kids?
You must have an incredibly narrow life.

I only became aware of it as a thing in the last couple of years once my children started school. It was never a thing anyone did when I was a child and I wasn't aware of friends doing it till pretty recently.

I don't think that means a narrow life. And certainly the idea of some family movie event then going out afterwards in a family group is very specific and definitely not something I know of anyone doing.

CrowleyKitten · 22/10/2024 19:31

it's sad for her, as she'll be missing out on it. but it's her decision. just have a great time and feel sorry for her for missing out. it's what you make of it. take them trick or treating, have fun getting dressed up, have party food and a spooky film, and have a great time.

Differentstarts · 22/10/2024 19:30

I take my kids trick or treating but it's purely for them. Walking round in the cold often wet dark streets and standing about while they knock on doors isn't fun and I wouldn't expect anyone else to suffer with me. I'm assuming your love for Halloween is because your mum made it special for you when you was a kid now it's your turn to do this for your kids. Your mums done her time

dreamer24 · 22/10/2024 19:29

Anyway this thread has inspired to me watch the episode of Motherland where they all go trick or treating- such a good one! 😀

Another2Cats · 22/10/2024 19:28

Completelyjo · 22/10/2024 19:04

You’ve never met anyone in your entire life who has gone trick or treating or brought their kids?
You must have an incredibly narrow life.

"You must have an incredibly narrow life."

Well, thank you for having a go at me. I wonder why you felt it necessary to attack me personally?

Not that I need to defend myself here. I am 59 and have lived in quite a few different cities in the UK with quite a wide range of different friends. Neither when I was younger or when my DC were of that age did "trick or treating" ever exist.

I have also worked as an expat in both Hong Kong and Moscow at different times for a number of years. I even had to put up with working in New York for six months, but that was in the Spring/Summer so I missed the "delights" of a US Halloween.

The nearest I ever got was back in the early 1980s when I was in the sixth form and some US airmen invited us to a Halloween party at the local US Air Force base - RAF Alconbury. Although that was more of a typical US Halloween party than any sort of trick or treating.

It was absolutely fascinating at the time - you were literally in the USA when you were there. Everything you paid for in US Dollars.

dreamer24 · 22/10/2024 19:27

*You do you, that should read.