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Dh always miserable on birthday

282 replies

Blackeyedsun · 04/03/2026 10:32

It was his birthday yesterday, Dd and I made a cake based on his favourite chocolate bar, blew up balloons, cards-handmade and bought, a couple of small gifts-not expensive as we are going away and don’t go over the top for each other. We blew some balloons up, Dd is little and loves the planning and excitement of it. We had his cake and coffee ready in the morning and were singing to him before work and he looked quite miserable, it was just quiet and awkward and an anti climax. When it’s my birthday I make it fun and look happy for the sake of Dd
It was the same last year, in the evening we had his takeaway of choice (went out the following weekend) and he was saying he felt really down

OP posts:
holdtheline11 · 04/03/2026 10:37

I would always put a smiley happy face on (at least when I'm being sung to!) If people went to all that effort! I'd find that tricky and demoralising too OP. Did he say thank you to both if you at least and give you a kiss? And, importantly, what is his reason?

LollipopLil · 04/03/2026 10:36

At what point did this start for him?

Did he want a fuss made before last year?

itsmycheese · 04/03/2026 10:36

I don't mean this in a snarky way, but have you asked him? Some people just seem to struggle to enjoy their birthdays, for a variety of reasons. Perhaps he would prefer to celebrate differently/not at all? What you did sounds lovely btw.

Whatwouldyoudoif · 04/03/2026 10:36

No advice but my husband is EXACTLY the same, i dont get it at all?

Freya1542 · 04/03/2026 10:34

has he always been like this on his birthday though @Blackeyedsun pre-child?

NotMeAtAll · 04/03/2026 10:34

Some people really hate getting older and dread birthdays. If it's only his birthday I wouldn't think too much more about it.

Blackeyedsun · 04/03/2026 10:32

Sorry repeated twice about balloons

OP posts:
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