Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

50th birthday surprise

35 replies

abovetheantiqueshop · 11/07/2025 14:41

Quick background. Just turned 50 and in the months leading up my partner and DDs have been asking how I'd like to celebrate. I have a very hectic job, life, etc. and said I'd love a restful weekend away with just us and ABSOLUTELY NO surprises or inviting visitors to stay. I live in the UK and my family lives in another country. So they said they had planned a surprise trip - day before they said it was to a lovely spa hotel. I was so relieved and excited as this was exactly what I wanted. Then day of my birthday, after working from home all day, the house a tip, cupboards bare, haven't even brushed my hair, I answer the door to six family members coming for a week from abroad. 4 of them have never been to the UK so really keen to see everything, etc. I know I should be grateful that they came, but playing hostess and caring for others (which is all I ever do) is the last thing I want now. I feel so disappointed and disrespected. Despite being crystal clear about how I wanted to celebrate, everyone disregarded my wishes. I also struggle with anxiety and this has put me in a bad place. I also had 2 recent health scares so overall feeling like I needed some time off. I got in a big row with my partner but am acting like 'everything is fine and I'm happy' for the sake of the visitors. AIBU to be pissed off?

OP posts:
Itiswhysofew · 11/07/2025 15:03

Bloody hell, what a total disregard for your wishes. Really thoughtless.

BreadInCaptivity · 11/07/2025 14:56

I’d be absolutely fuming.

Dontjudgeme101 · 11/07/2025 14:56

I am so sorry @abovetheantiqueshop That’s just not right. You deserve to spend your birthday how you want you. I hope that you manage to get some time on your birthday to yourself. 💐💐💐

Cynic17 · 11/07/2025 14:53

YANBU, OP. I always told my husband that any surprise parties, or similar, are absolutely grounds for divorce! Fortunately, he finds such things as cringe as I do.
Is it too late to take yourself off somewhere on your own, OP? Then you can relax and your idiot family can cope with all the visitors.

abovetheantiqueshop · 11/07/2025 14:49

No - they are staying nearby. I don't have room for everyone to stay. But it just feels like no one gives a shit about what I want. I know it was well intentioned, but I'm so angry I couldn't even sleep last night! And just so sick of acting like everything's okay for the sake of others. I thought at 50 this kind of BS ends!

OP posts:
PatheticDistraction · 11/07/2025 14:49

Absolutely not unreasonable - why haven't your partner and DD's prepared for guests?!

Aside from that - I would definitely say to them - 'please tell me I will still get my spa weekend? That was what I was most looking forward to, as we discussed'.

In the meantime I would ask your family what their plan is for your guests & try to enjoy it as much as you can, but please don't play hostess. If it becomes awkward, just apologise to your guests and explain you had no idea they were coming. I really feel for you x

gamerchick · 11/07/2025 14:48

Fucking hell and they didn't even prepare the house for guests coming at the very least?

Go on your spar break. It's your 50th and you've had enough and they need to know they've fucked up.

Please get yourself out and let your bloke deal with his mess.

GrannyGoggles · 11/07/2025 14:47

Blow that for a game of soldiers.

Who has set this up?

Is there a plan meals out/catered meal at home/take out food?

WTAF was the thinking behind this?

HardworkSendHelp · 11/07/2025 14:46

Are they are staying in your house for a week??

HardworkSendHelp · 11/07/2025 14:45

You are 100 million percent right to be totally pissed off. What the actual fluff were they thinking. If they had cleaned the house, stocked the cupboards sent you out for a spa day to dicky yourself up, prepared to let you sit up with your relatives and relax I would say you were being unreasonable. Ah OP I am sorry they did that to you.

Swipe left for the next trending thread