Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think friends might come away with me and the kids now I'm a single mum

107 replies

Usedtobeslummy · 04/11/2024 21:54

Hi. I've a good group of friends of about 20 years. In those years have been on many hen dos, weddings, holidays. We've stripped wallpaper for each other etc, looked after each other's children. I'd say meet every six weeks and always get together for xmases etc. Trying to say that we like each other and do things for each other.

I've never married so no hen do or wedding for me, but all of them have. I think relevant to say my friends are wealthy by my measure, most with a combined income of 100k and some much more. All couples.

I split up with my ex and asked my friends if they'd do a group hol next year with kids. Yes, they said. I know they are v difficult to arrange but after sending lots of options it's clear it's not happening so I've booked for me and the kids. I wouldn't invite my parents just fyi.

I feel a bit sad about it. I know life is hard, there's never any time, lots of pressures. But I had hoped that someone might come for a few days to soften the blow of first holiday as a single parent / give me company in the evening etc. I also think it would be really good fun! Maybe it's too much to expect. But I feel sad that we've always done a lot for each other, including trips abroad for birthdays or weddings, but this isn't a priority for anyone, when I've never asked anyone to do anything for me before.

YABU - this pity holiday isn't a hen and you're unreasonable to think people should cater for you

YANBU it's fair to make the effort as a one off

OP posts:
Usedtobeslummy · 04/11/2024 22:05

No, not offering to pay.

Some of the hen dos were expensive and definitely not what I would have chosen to do. But I wouldn't have not wanted to join in. It wouldn't have occurred to me to not go.

Yes we have all done camping before but everyone found it quite hard work (which it is) and said never camping again! Have done weekends away in big houses with kids.

OP posts:
MattBerningerstrophywife · 04/11/2024 22:04

I wouldn’t go away on holiday with someone else and their kids. I would be happy to go on a girls weekends or a weekend away where we all brought our kids. But holidays need time off work and I keep that for family and childcare

loudbatperson · 04/11/2024 22:03

I wouldn't want to holiday with other peoples children, so I don't blame them for not going. Although I would have said no right from the get go, not said yes and then pull out.

NeedToChangeName · 04/11/2024 22:02

Have you had holidays (1) for the whole group and (2) recently?

If so, that's a pity if they don't want to do it now you're single

If not, perhaps unrealistic to expect it for a holiday. Perhaps one friend and children might come for a weekend away?

Pinkissmart · 04/11/2024 22:01

Hmm

People are funny about single mothers.

If you want the joint family experience perhaps plan something in a long weekend, and reasonably local

Wellingtonspie · 04/11/2024 22:00

A family holiday is me dh and the children. A friend trip is child free.

I also wouldn’t go to an overnight trip hen party.

Maybe a big group camping and I mean inviting the friends their dh’s their children, child free friends and their partners too. Like hiring a whole field for cooking on open fire and late night drinks under the stars carefree wild fun.

Thelondonone · 04/11/2024 21:59

i have voted yabu unless you are offering to pay for them. Presumably you wanted to go away on the hen nights? I have no desire to go away with other peoples kids-sorry. I have a couple of friends I would go away with, including their kids, but generally I’m not that keen on other peoples children. We have very similar parenting styles and the kids get on and like the same things. It has only occurred once in 15 years though and I’m fine with that. I wouldn’t spend my hard earned cash or money doing something unless I really wanted to but maybe I’m selfish?