is this really what people do these days?

[Megatron]

DS was due to go to a party this afternoon but unfortunately has had the most horrible stomach bug since Tuesday and is totally washed out, still not eating etc. I knew yesterday that he wouldn't be going so I rang the party lads mum and told her, offered to pay for his place as it was a Laser party and I knew was £12 a head, she accepted, all fine. I passed their house last night so put the money through her door.

So this morning I receive a text from her to ask me if I will be dropping off her sons birthday present today . I text back saying no I won't, I'll give it to her when I see her at school, hope party goes well etc. Half an hour later she turns up at my door as 'she was passing' for her sons present. I was mortified. The present was sitting on the bookcase in the hall but it wasn't wrapped (as I always do that about 4 seconds before I leave for the party). I know this is petty but really? Am I incredibly old fashioned or is this normal manners these days?

I'm just at the bloody cheek of it

Could you phone the Laser venue to find out if your DS's place did actually have to be paid for, or not?

Then if/when you decide to pass on the present you could ask for your £12 back!

Hope your DS is better soon.

This mother has more front then Brighton! (Jaw has now been stiched back)

I hope your son's OK.

Just unbelievably rude, sheesh, the nerve of some people.

Wow. Just wow. The cheek of her, how materialistic can you get?! Feel sorry for her kid if he's being raised in an atmosphere of "greed is good".

I really really hope she's a Mumsnetter and is reading this now

Wow, How rude!

I hope she dropped off you remembered to ask for his party bag at the same time then

How... tacky

Give her a call now to remind her about the cake. IIRC, there's chips and pizza as well, she can drop them off on the way home with the party bag.

She sounds lovely!!!

Wow, I am speechless, and speech rarely deserts me. What a grabby cow. I can't believe she even accepted your offer to pay for his place at the party - she probably wasn't charged, you had the manners to tell her in advance that you weren't goin, and still she wants a present. Unbelievable.

OMG -noooo! Unbelievably rude!

I can't even believe she accepted the offer of you paying for the party!

If a child didn't come to the party, I wouldn't expect a present, unless it was a child of one of my best friends who might buy a present even if there was no party.

Stay away from this loon mother in future.

Oh, yes, make sure you get a party bag!

She was very rude. If you wish to lower yourself to her level, I would text back and ask for a party bag

What's she like apart from this? Flakey? I'd not have paid/accepted for the laser thing either?

shiney how does your sister justify acting like that?

That's incredibly rude. You were very nice to offer to pay for the party place, but I wouldn't even have accepted that as the hostess tbh. I would either have let the venue know and prob not had to pay, or got a last-minute sibling or sibling's mate to come too.

To call round for the gift - unbelievable!! I would never assume you would give a gift, even if you actually came tbh, not everyone can afford a pressie, you ask guests because you want them there. Some people are so cheeky

yy I agree, ask for your DS's party bag

It was really nice of you to pay for his place, but I'm sure with 24 hours notice another person would have grabbed the chance to play laser tag.

My sis did one of these last month for niece and it was pricey, and dependant on the right numbers, a couple of dads gladly offered to make up the numbers for the teams if need be.

How RUDE and GRABBY of her to come for present. You should have said you hadn't been out for one yet what with your child being ILL. Can't believe the front on her!

I would have thought that if you don't go to the party, you don't give a gift either tbh. I mean, obviously if they are close friends you might, but if they are just classmates then no. Not having much experience of these things yet, maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick, but it seems weird to assume you would still be giving the child a present.

And she is clearly totally out of order to come to your door for a present when your child is ill , I am really shocked by that.

Wow. Words fail me

How incredibly rude. Generally if you don't go to the party you don't give a present, surely?

Phone her tomorrow and ask her if the thank you note is ready. Swing by to pick it up!

Ooh print off this thread and post it to her with a polite card asking for the party bag , go on, dare ya!!

cheeky Bitch !! her not you some people are so fecking greedy I have heard children ask for presents once or twice dds havnt gone to parties but used to hear the kid ask in the playground for it , some people have no shame

That is so rude! I would have told her I hadn't been able to get out to get a present yet. Cheeky Mare!

This is the most ridiculous and cringeworthy thing I've ever heard. I do hope you will put her in her place somehow. Can't wait for a follow up!