to apologise to DD for being a grouchy old cow and casting a shadow over her party?

[Ormirian]

DD's 12th birthday party on Monday so most of the weekend was devoted to her. She was at the stables all saturday, she came back with a friend and then 3 other girls turned up and she had a sleepover. I did them a meal which they ate in the dining room with proper wine glasses and balloons and some little paper umbrellas in the glasses. She was so happy. Then they went out to the garden to play games and then upstairs to get into bed and watch DVDs, They were overexcited and loud, a plate got broken when they were playing a games and they were very loud - I had to ask them to quiet down several times.

This morning they had breakfast and we went for a picnic and them back for birthday cake and then I took them all home.

I had to apologise to DD for being bad-tempered and getting cross several times last night and this morning. I was tired and yes, they were OTT and too noisy, BUT they were happy and excited and I shouldn't have put a damper on it.

Wondering if I am getting too old for this sort of thing and if maybe I need to sort out less extended birthday celebrations I always used to be bloody good at playing the jolly parent who took everything in her stride and coped with long noisy parties.

Is it an age thing? Anyone else finding their stamina reduces and they can tolerate less these days?

Doesn't sound like you cast a shadow, sounds like a great weekend.
Getting cross a few times is normal isn't it?

"Getting cross a few times is normal isn't it?"

Not for me it isn't

It just worries me that I am getting so short-tempered these days.

Thanks though

I remember attending a sleepover at about age 11 and we were very, very noisy. The father of the house came in just wearing y-fronts and shouted at us to shut up at 2am. And I mean REALLY shouted. I am unscarred (apart from by the visual image....). Your DD's party sounds fabulous.

I think so. I am 46 and much, much grumpier than I used to be. I was commenting yesterday that I have to resist the urge to barge in when I hear giggling, giggling means potential trouble. That is so sad.

I was the cool, fun mum in my twenties and thirties, but that meant the house was full of the children of other grumpy parents. I think a little intolerance is fine. Loud, riotous youth are exhausting and I feel old and tired sometimes.

I'm sure your guests all understand the bad temper. An apology to your daughter would be a nice gesture though. I always apologise if I have been an arse about things like that.

oh feck it she is 12 could've got the message here and there to tone it down a bit..
give her a cuddle, call it a good time .. it sounded pita fun for you!

Thanks all.

I did say sorry and she was fine about it. I just don't like being the Grinch. I did better today but bugger me I am knackered!

Missis - glad I'm not the only one. I think this is the only thing that is really bothering me about getting older.

It sounds like they had a good time, and they were probably far too busy to notice, or care, that you were in a grump!