What's the big deal?
Everyone I know who is turning 40 has a big party, expects people to turn up from far and wide, even if it involves a plane journey and leaving behind a young family, and it you dont do it/cant do it, you are made to feel very guilty about it.
Case in Point - My dh went to london today on friday, risking life and limb to get to airport at 6am in this treacherous weather along with his 72 and 78 year old mother and father who were all trekking over to london to celebrate their brother/sons 40th along with 50 or 60 of his friends, and the party went on to 5am, my dh is on his way home exhausted having been delayed at stansted and diverted at this end due to a road accident.
I didnt go because we couldnt get someone to mind our 5 kids for the weekend but frankly I would rather have stayed at home. My kids are all under 11 and in this weather airports and dangerous roads do not float my boat no matter whose birthday it is.
It didnt go down too well that I wasnt there, and I did get the odd "such a shame" comment but what am I to do??
If it was a wedding then I would move heaven and earth to make it, but a big ol piss up with a lot of 30 and 40someting lads (most of whom are not married and have no kids) I think is not that big a deal to miss??
Prob am BU and am an old fart to boot, but I dont care and my dh is stuck in a car somewhere in the middle of nowhere trying to get home and prob wondering if it was bloody worth it!?!
Ready for flaming!