Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Letsworkthisout · 02/06/2025 13:16

OtterlyMad · 02/06/2025 13:05

Personally I find the concept of a partner getting card/present on behalf of infant to be a bit twee - especially for a birthday rather than Mother’s Day. BUT, I would be put out by him prioritising career and social life above you and your son. Would you have been so bothered about the lack of card if this wasn’t the case? I think your sensitivity/annoyance is a symptom of a deeper issue that you need to address with your husband.

I understand your pov, I think as my son is very into arts and crafts and has got to the age where he’s excited about the concept of birthdays I assumed this year he’d arrange a card. My son is closer to 3 so I guess I see this as less of an infant, as before the concept of a card from my 6mo would have seemed quite bizarre! You’re definitely right on the fact this is a bigger issue

OP posts:
SeventeenClovesOfGarlic · 02/06/2025 13:15

Why do you do everything else? Is there any point in being married to the man?

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.

OtterlyMad · 02/06/2025 13:05

Personally I find the concept of a partner getting card/present on behalf of infant to be a bit twee - especially for a birthday rather than Mother’s Day. BUT, I would be put out by him prioritising career and social life above you and your son. Would you have been so bothered about the lack of card if this wasn’t the case? I think your sensitivity/annoyance is a symptom of a deeper issue that you need to address with your husband.

Swipe left for the next trending thread