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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Children weddings birthdays... Am I being precious?

175 replies

Mapley · 28/03/2011 18:14

We've been invited to close friend's (of my dp's) wedding on ds's second birthday and it's a no children invite. We rang the groom to say that we're sorry, we wouldn't be able to come as we wanted to spend ds's birthday with him, and he said to bring him then, we want you there.

I felt uncomfortable with this as I don't want other folk who have had to leave their kids at home to feel put out. And I don't want him to spend his birthday somewhere innaptopriate. I'd rather celebrate it with him. But equally I do not want to upset my friends.

The wedding's couple of hours away, but not impossible to go along in the evening. So we thought about it and said we'd just come along in the evening. Since then though the bride to be has texted my dp to say that her dp is upset and can we reconsider? She wants us to do something with our dp in the morning and come along for the meal at 4pm.

So now my dp wants me to spend the morning with my ds, drop him off at babysitter's after lunch and go to the meal onwards. He says he thinks I'm being selfish, that ds won't care about his birthday and that our friends will only get married once. The thought of leaving my boy without us in his birthday makes me sad, I don't want to do it. But dp says that I'm thinking about myself rather than our friends or him, and he personally wants to do both and go for half the day.

I feel really sad now. I don't want to upset dp, or our friends, but am I being precious by not wanting to be apart from ds on his birthday. I've offered a compromise that dp should go on his own if that's what he wants to do, but he's still fed up. I was trying to think positive, and even though dp wouldn't be there I was thinking of doing a birthday tea for ds with friends, but dp says he wouldn't want me to do that without him there.

Not sure what to do now!

OP posts:
NestaFiesta · 29/03/2011 09:25

Mapley, I think you sound very nice and I don't blame you for wanting to be with your son on his birthday. The decision you have made to take him with you is a good one but I wouldn't have blamed you if you had just sent DP on his own.

Your son's birthday is precious to you, as mine are to me. There is a feeling of "Phew we made it to two years" that is a kind of gratitude and reflection on your good fortune at having a healthy son. I feel the same about my sons and would never miss their birthdays for anything. I lost 3 unborn babies between DS1 and DS2 and I want to be part of their every milestone, whether they can remember or not.

I can't help feeling a little uncomfortable that the bride put more pressure on you after you had explained your decision. If my wedding fell on a child's birthday and the parents didn't want to come, I would understand.

You have made a good decision in taking him to the wedding. I always think the thing children like best for their birthday is their Mum and Dad.

By the way- I think the last thing you were being is selfish! You didn't want to leave your 2 year old without his parents on his birthday. Not selfish at all.

LeQueen · 29/03/2011 09:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EdwardorEricCantDecide · 29/03/2011 10:22

My DS birthday has fallen on a weekday last year and will this year I have his party the following Saturday and take him out on his own on birthday usually to park, wildlife place or museum can u do something like this in the morning and do birthday tea with friends the previous/next day?

I do understand what u mean but u will still spend time with him on b day and I'm sure his GP would love a part of his day too.

habbibu · 29/03/2011 13:05

I guess, harking miles back up the thread, that I just didn't see that friends should have to consider our wedding as important as we did; we hardly had a chance to speak to most of them for more than a couple of minutes as it was, so if someone can't come, they can't come, for whatever reason. Why does it matter so much?

habbibu · 29/03/2011 13:06

I mean, how important do you have to be for people's noses to be put out of joint at not attending their wedding? Do you all have spectacular party pieces or something?

Quenelle · 29/03/2011 13:09

I would go to the meal onwards. He's only 2 and won't know the difference. And you will still be able to give him his present and spoil him a bit in the morning. Just do the tea thing the day after.

Quenelle · 29/03/2011 13:11

habbibu I do agree with you though. I can never understand why couples think it's such a big deal if a friend can't make their wedding. I don't think they realise beforehand just how little time they will get to spend with each individual guest on the day.

seeker · 29/03/2011 13:14

I don;t think anyone''s noses will be out of joint - it's just that the wedding people wanted the OP's dp there, and he wanted to go.

I think there's something a bit strange about not understanding why you might want your friend at your wedding, whicl simultaneoudly thinking it's incredibly important that everything stops for a 2 year old's birthday!

FollowMe · 29/03/2011 13:24

Good for you for coming to a decent compromise!

We were in a similar situation recently (it was DS2's 3rd birthday) and we called the bride and groom who also offered to let both DS's come with us even though they hadnt invited children originally.
We did take them up on the offer and took both DCs, who had a whale of a time on the dance floor and then we had a family birthday with cake and most of the presents and soft play trip etc the next day for DS2.

Worked out really well Smile

habbibu · 29/03/2011 13:36

Well, seeker, it wasn't the OP who didn't understand about the friend, nor me bothering about the birthday, so there's no simultaneous thoughts to worry about, tbh. I just nicked LeQ's phrase about noses and joints and such.

All I meant was you might want a friend at your wedding (otherwise presumably you wouldn't invite them) but getting upset, as the OP said the groom was, seems a bit much - BUT not knowing the circumstances, I guess, can't speculate much more. Dh has been to weddings without me - never really been a problem.

Mapley · 29/03/2011 14:23

Cheers all!

Booked a hotel so we're definately going! The ceremony is exactly at the time ds would normally be napping, so shall have to wake him early and wear him out with birthday shennanigans to try and get an early nap on the way out of him. Or else there might be an overtired toddler at a child free wedding, and therefore a mapely going for screw walks round the block in heels and cursing the whole endeavour! :-D getting into it now though. Next click toddler kilts..,

OP posts:
foreverondiet · 29/03/2011 14:31

I think you are being far far too precious for a 2 year old. TBH even for an older child you are being a bit precious as you could go out for a birthday breakfast - (esp if grandparents could make a fuss of him later in the day? )

What are you going to do when he is older and his birthday is on a school day - are you going to take the day off work and him out of school to celebrate every year? My DC know know that they get a birthday treat on the weekend nearest their birthday. Of course presents in the morning of the birthday itself.

The 4pm things sounds like a good compromise....

Mapley · 29/03/2011 14:38

Crikey, some people really don't bother Reading the thread do they? ;-)

anyway, thanks again to all, shall leave it now. I appreciate the help you've all given me. Sometimes it's hard to see outside my emotions. This thread has helped. And to those that understood where I was coming from, solidarity sentimental sisters!

Bye all!

OP posts:
itsalarf · 29/03/2011 18:24

Just wanted to say how nice you seem Mapley, and how gracious your replies have been. Hope all concerned have a lovely day, and on the plus side, you can take lots of photos with you all looking lovely!

amidaiwish · 29/03/2011 18:37

oh yes make sure you get a couple of great family pictures of you all dressed up looking gorgeous.

ChristinedePizan · 29/03/2011 18:40

I concur itsalarf - have a lovely, lovely time Mapley :) and OMG he is going to look so cute in a kilt!

Mapley · 29/03/2011 21:59

wow thanks folks. i try to be nice and reasonable, but sometimes i'm abit too emotional and sensitive.

marilyn monroe quote springs to mind

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."

yes photos. yes fun. yes it will be ok. have you seen the cost of baby kilts? ......breathe

OP posts:
habbibu · 29/03/2011 22:16

Try this?

littleducks · 29/03/2011 22:21

I am really surprised by this thread, I would always see family birthdays as more important than other engagements especially when they are little enough not to have to be in school

Mapley · 29/03/2011 22:37

Genius habbibu! Thanks!

And yes me too little ducks! I think next year if something's happening on his birthday I'll definately ignore it ( realises she's just jinxed herself to get pregnant exactly three months after this wedding)

OP posts:
Magicjamas · 29/03/2011 22:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

zukiecat · 29/03/2011 22:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

seeker · 29/03/2011 23:21

Your sister's wedding? Your best friend's? REALLY?

megapixels · 29/03/2011 23:52

It just goes to show how differently people view these things. For me missing the wedding of a loved one for a birthday seems ridiculous. Weddings are a once in a lifetime thing, birthdays happen every year and it's one of those things that's just there year after year whether you like it or not :).

seeker · 30/03/2011 10:16

Hear hear, megapixels.

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