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DH not arranging birthday card for mum

79 replies

Letsworkthisout · 02/06/2025 12:53

My DH hasn’t arranged for a birthday card for me from our 2yo son. He got a standard birthday card from the shop opposite from himself and that was it. He knows I don’t want a fuss or money spent on presents but that a card means a lot to me. Already feel that I’m often an afterthought as he’s focused on his career and his social life and that’s his priority. I manage everything else including working myself. Just feeling a bit fed up as I went through years of chronic health related infertility and this stuff means a lot. I don’t want to come across as bratty and demand he organises a card on behalf of my son as that feels like it loses part of the meaning of the card itself. Am I being too sensitive? I know if I bring this up he’ll either apologise profusely and try and make it up (but this is a running theme), or he’ll turn it around and self-wallow about how rubbish he is and can’t do anything right.

OP posts:
DappledThings · 02/06/2025 17:18

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:55

what’s the difference between buying a card for them now when they are older and not othering when they were younger? Sorry I just don’t get it. I loved getting mine from my DC (via my husband) with just their scrawl on it.

Because when they were younger and didn't have any concept of what it is then it seems utterly pointless.

I just don't get it either but from the other side!

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 17:08

BIossomtoes · 02/06/2025 17:02

Surely the card from the other adult shows appreciation for what the other does? A stunt card from a child with no concept of it really does seem pointless. I get it for Mothers’ / Fathers’ Day but not otherwise.

I take it that you didn’t get one then? 😆 You may think it’s a stunt card, others don’t and it’s upset the OP who has every right to be upset because it matters to her.

Sofiewoo · 02/06/2025 17:03

JayJayj · 02/06/2025 15:58

I have been in a similar position to you. My husband got me a “mum” card for my first Christmas. I had told him I wanted a “mummy” card. It looked like something I’d get my mum as an adult not a baby. Especially with it being the first. He didn’t get me a gift from her either even though I got him. I ordered myself a mug on Christmas Day from Etsy. My mum actually bought me a first Christmas as my mummy card as she knew how upset I was.

Then I got exactly the same for my first Mother’s Day. The present I got was an Easter egg!!!!!! I ordered myself something. He knew how I upset I was and I told him he had one last chance then I would match energy.

I got him a really crappy birthday card that said “father” just to prove a point.

Last Christmas my mum ordered me a card just in case but he actually pulled it together and did really good.

People might tell you it’s no big deal but to you it is and that’s what matters. For me this shows how little he cares about you. That is how it felt for me.

To be fair this is next level moaning. You were upset because you didn’t think it was the sort of card the baby would have picked… even though they were an incontinent baby who couldn’t pick or buy a card themselves anyway?

BIossomtoes · 02/06/2025 17:02

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:57

It might not have occurred to you or your husband to do it but it does occur to other people. Im
glad it occurred to both me and my husband to do it as it showed appreciation for what the other did.

Surely the card from the other adult shows appreciation for what the other does? A stunt card from a child with no concept of it really does seem pointless. I get it for Mothers’ / Fathers’ Day but not otherwise.

irregularegular · 02/06/2025 17:02

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:57

It might not have occurred to you or your husband to do it but it does occur to other people. Im
glad it occurred to both me and my husband to do it as it showed appreciation for what the other did.

But DH can and did show appreciation with a single card, with a note inside expressing his appreciation. As well as a gift. And many other different ways all through year. For me, adding a second piece of paper, ostensibly from our children, adds nothing much at all.

Topseyt123 · 02/06/2025 17:01

Loadsapandas · 02/06/2025 16:35

Did any of you not get taken to get birthday, Christmas, Mothers/Father’s Day cards and gifts for your other parent?
I still fondly rem esp my dad using elaborate means to ‘hide from mummy to choose something’

Both DH and I were bought up this way, maybe that’s why we do it for our children.

I even get a card from DH on Mother’s Day thanking ME for everything I do for our DC and vice versa. I think the only time the DC don’t get us something is our wedding anniversary.

Edited

No, I wasn't taken to buy cards in any such way.

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:57

irregularegular · 02/06/2025 16:55

At age 2, absolutely. As I've said above, not something that would have occurred to either me or DH to do or expect.

It might not have occurred to you or your husband to do it but it does occur to other people. Im
glad it occurred to both me and my husband to do it as it showed appreciation for what the other did.

irregularegular · 02/06/2025 16:57

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:55

what’s the difference between buying a card for them now when they are older and not othering when they were younger? Sorry I just don’t get it. I loved getting mine from my DC (via my husband) with just their scrawl on it.

The difference is whether the child understands or not. If they don't understand it seems pointless.

irregularegular · 02/06/2025 16:55

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:38

are you wondering what’s the point of a husband getting his wife a card from their child for her birthday? Seriously?

At age 2, absolutely. As I've said above, not something that would have occurred to either me or DH to do or expect.

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:55

DappledThings · 02/06/2025 16:46

Yes, I am. DC are 7 and 9 now and for the last few years since they could actually write and understand what they were writing I've bought them an extra card for DH. Not at 2 or 3. Wouldn't have crossed my mind.

Same for Father's Day. I didn't start doing anything for that until they were able to understand it.

what’s the difference between buying a card for them now when they are older and not othering when they were younger? Sorry I just don’t get it. I loved getting mine from my DC (via my husband) with just their scrawl on it.

Loadsapandas · 02/06/2025 16:51

DappledThings · 02/06/2025 16:46

Yes, I am. DC are 7 and 9 now and for the last few years since they could actually write and understand what they were writing I've bought them an extra card for DH. Not at 2 or 3. Wouldn't have crossed my mind.

Same for Father's Day. I didn't start doing anything for that until they were able to understand it.

So your children didn’t gift anyone (esp not their parents) for Christmas, birthday etc until they were 7/9?

I’m not criticising btw, every family is different I guess.

DappledThings · 02/06/2025 16:46

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:38

are you wondering what’s the point of a husband getting his wife a card from their child for her birthday? Seriously?

Yes, I am. DC are 7 and 9 now and for the last few years since they could actually write and understand what they were writing I've bought them an extra card for DH. Not at 2 or 3. Wouldn't have crossed my mind.

Same for Father's Day. I didn't start doing anything for that until they were able to understand it.

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:39

Loadsapandas · 02/06/2025 16:35

Did any of you not get taken to get birthday, Christmas, Mothers/Father’s Day cards and gifts for your other parent?
I still fondly rem esp my dad using elaborate means to ‘hide from mummy to choose something’

Both DH and I were bought up this way, maybe that’s why we do it for our children.

I even get a card from DH on Mother’s Day thanking ME for everything I do for our DC and vice versa. I think the only time the DC don’t get us something is our wedding anniversary.

Edited

Same here

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:38

irregularegular · 02/06/2025 16:34

It might not be hard, but why would you?? What's the point?

are you wondering what’s the point of a husband getting his wife a card from their child for her birthday? Seriously?

BIossomtoes · 02/06/2025 16:37

Did any of you not get taken to get birthday, Christmas, Mothers/Father’s Day cards and gifts for your other parent?

Not at the age of two, no.

Loadsapandas · 02/06/2025 16:35

Did any of you not get taken to get birthday, Christmas, Mothers/Father’s Day cards and gifts for your other parent?
I still fondly rem esp my dad using elaborate means to ‘hide from mummy to choose something’

Both DH and I were bought up this way, maybe that’s why we do it for our children.

I even get a card from DH on Mother’s Day thanking ME for everything I do for our DC and vice versa. I think the only time the DC don’t get us something is our wedding anniversary.

Topseyt123 · 02/06/2025 16:34

I really can't say that I would even have noticed this.

When our three children were very young DH and I didn't buy separate cards to be from them. If I bought a card for DH then I would write it as being from me and the DDs. He would do similar if a card was required for me.

irregularegular · 02/06/2025 16:34

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:32

Well everyone I know is given two separate cards. How hard is it exactly to buy two?

It might not be hard, but why would you?? What's the point?

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:32

BIossomtoes · 02/06/2025 16:29

It’s normal enough for me never to have known anyone who’s done it. Everyone I know is given one card and present from their husband and baby - not two separate ones.

Well everyone I know is given two separate cards. How hard is it exactly to buy two?

irregularegular · 02/06/2025 16:29

I don't think this was something we ever did for each other. I don't understand the point and it would never have occurred to me. Once the children were a bit older they tended to make cards, mostly on their own initiative.

I guess if it is important to you, then you should let him know, and it would be unkind of him to keep ignoring that. But I can quite understand that it didn't occur to him to do it.

BIossomtoes · 02/06/2025 16:29

It’s normal enough for me never to have known anyone who’s done it. Everyone I know is given one card and present from their husband and baby - not two separate ones.

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:20

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 02/06/2025 13:18

Honestly, I haven’t heard of partners writing cards on behalf of babies before, I imagine that this hasn’t crossed his mind and I am not sure how many people this would occur to.

the bigger issue is the imbalance in the relationship that you describe. Have you discussed this?

What? I’m afraid you are in the minority. My husband (and many other husbands I know) has always bought a card and present on behalf of our DC. Are people’s bar set so low that they think this behaviour is normal? It’s not.

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:18

NuffSaidSam · 02/06/2025 13:09

If you haven't told him that you wanted a card 'from' DS, then you really can't blame him. Buying a card 'from' a child not old enough to actually choose one/care it's your birthday isn't a universal thing. You need to specify this.

The wider issue of him not pulling his weight should be addressed though. That's not on.

Her husband is not a child so he shouldn’t need reminding that he should get her a birthday card on his son’s behalf

DipsyDee · 02/06/2025 16:17

Sorry but you husband should not only have got you a card but he should have also got you a present. You are not being overly sensitive AT ALL! It matters because it matters to you so it should
matter to him

BarnacleBeasley · 02/06/2025 16:15

My first reaction to this was 'of course you wouldn't think of getting a card from a 2 year old', but actually as the child is nearly 3 and likes craft, I do think it's a bit crap not to get them to draw her a picture or something. My DS was crap at craft and had no interest in it till nearer 4,* so we wouldn't have bothered at the same age, but this year at nearly 4 I did take him on a special trip to the shops to choose something for his other mum's birthday (a build your own chomping shark), and she did the same for me (a grow your own pea shoots kit that I'd steered him away from for DP as it was so overpriced for a couple of peas and a bit of compost). So yes, I do think OP's DH could have made a bit more effort - but you need to tell him this year, so he'll hopefully get his act together for the next occasion.

*now so impressed with his own creations he refuses to sodding well give them to us, as he wants to keep them all for himself.

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