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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be hurt that dp wants to change ds's birthday plans because his parents don't like our plans?

63 replies

bluecheeseforbreakfast · 11/12/2013 20:18

Ds turns 1 next week, the last few months have been really hard as dp has been working nights and I have been studying so we have been juggling childcare between the 2 of us and consequently having very little family time.

Dp booked the day off work a couple of months ago, we made the plan to go into the city (a 20 min train ride) look at the christmas lights, get some lunch at a baby friendly cafe and then take ds to a kids museum, then come home ds will go to bed (around 5ish as it will be such a busy day) and then we will sit and look through the photos from ds's first year and have a glass of champagne.

We are having a family party for ds this weekend, pil live a long way away and have decided that rather than come down for the party they will come down to spend ds's actual birthday with us (there is no reason they can't come for the party they just don't fancy it which is fair enough) The trip is also to see their other 10 grandchildren and give them their christmas gifts so not just on ds's behalf. Dp said to his parents that we would love for them to celebrate ds's birthday with us, we will be eating luch at x cafe and then going to the kids museum, they are very welcome to join us for all the day or part of the day, it would be really nice for them to come along.

Pil have said they will not go into the city but they expect to hang out with us on ds's birthday at sil's house (where they stay when they visit) sil's house is not child proofed and ds is walking and seems to be a distruction whirlwind. I find myself following ds around catching the breakable things he pulls over and telling him no the entire time.

Dp has now decided that it is too much hassel to go into the city, ds won't remember anything anyway (I know he won't but I think he will enjoy the day even if he forgets it by the day after). Dp thinks we should change our plans because pil don't like our plans, previously dp was keen on the plans and that is why he booked the day off work.

I feel like I am expected to forgo my plans and preferences because pil will not just go along with the day that we already had planned.

I am not overly sentimental about ds's birth, I didn't expect a push present or anything like that but I am sure the day will bring back memories of ds's birth and first hours and I would like to mark the day in a special way rather than doing our normal routine, I really want to do something that feels like a treat.

Pil could come and have breakfast with us and see ds open his pressies but mil doesn't like socialising too early in the morning. They could also come and have dinner (pasta and pesto as it is ds's favorite meal) but ds is likely to be tired and not in the best humour.

Pil are not elderly, they are very active more so than me and dp so mobility isn't an issue. They will also be staying near us for a week so we will see them, they can see ds as much as they like so it's not like his birthday is the only chance for them to have time with ds.

AIBU to think that dp should not try to change our plans because his dp want to do things their way?

I'm not feeling well so i am possibly being very unreasonable, I was really looking forward to a special day of treats that ds will love and I feel hurt that my opinion is being disregarded.

OP posts:
ohfourfoxache · 11/12/2013 20:23

Sod PIL, do what you want to do. It's your DS's first birthday - it's a one off.

Ok, he won't remember it, but you and your DH will. There will be plenty of other times that you can spend with PIL.

YANBU at all

TwerkingNineToFive · 11/12/2013 20:24

I don't think your being unreasonable but I do think you should just suck it up and visit the grandparents. If my family came to vist I'd want to send time with them so I can see why your dp wants to change the plans. Is the reason they want to stay around the house so they can spend time with all the grandchildren? If so I think that's reasonable.

DeckTheHallsWithBoughsOfHorry · 11/12/2013 20:25

YANBU at all. First birthdays are all about the fact that you all survived relatively unscathed. Your plans sound lovely - parent-centric which is thoroughly logical.

If it isn't about your child and you, it doesn't matter if you're absent. If it is, you should not have to make small talk at your SIL's house, particularly if it's not toddlerproofed.

Are they always this selfish?

SteamWisher · 11/12/2013 20:26

YANBU.

It's your son's birthday. Stand firm! It sounds lovely!

redskyatnight · 11/12/2013 20:27

Unless you have a very amenable baby I suspect you are looking at the day through slightly rose tinted glasses. I can't imagine enjoying such a trip with either of my DC and would probably arrive home very stressed.

A day with GPs sounds much nicer, and agree that as they've come up specially for his birthday it would be a shame not to spend at least some of it with them (though insist on your house if SIL's is really impossible).

Liara · 11/12/2013 20:27

Y most definitely ANBU.

Fuck your PIL. You are the one who gave birth, you are the ones who brought up your DS, this is about you. You are right that your DS won't care, but this also marks your first year as parents.

Celebrate in the way that works for you.

MarianForrester · 11/12/2013 20:28

YANBU.

Your plan sounds lovely. I think it's actually really nice of you to have said they could join you.

They have been invited to the party and have chosen not to accept; that's up to them.

IMO you should stick with your family day out.

Tabliope · 11/12/2013 20:29

Why don't you go out straight after breakfast to town, have lunch and then go to your SIL's for a couple of hours. You should be able to fit in everything you want in the morning, DS will probably sleep at some point but then at least go to see the inlaws after that, getting home at a reasonable hour as it sounds a tiring day.

defineme · 11/12/2013 20:29

I'd do what you had planned and just say ;that's a shame' if they don't want to join you-see them on the other 6 days.

Eastwickwitch · 11/12/2013 20:29

I think you sound like you've got a lovely day planned, but you could still do the most important thing which is the champagne drinking evening, congratulating each other on surviving the first year.
I'd compromise; nip over to SILs, get DS fussed over by his extended family then go out for lunch.
Share the love!

WipsGlitter · 11/12/2013 20:29

Can you not do both? Go and see them post museum and pre photograph viewing. Your DS will not appreciate the museum bit!

CaterpillarCara · 11/12/2013 20:30

I think given your plans are already made, they are being really rude and cheeky.

steff13 · 11/12/2013 20:31

YANBU. You say they're going to be staying near you for a week, there doesn't seem to be any reason why they have to disrupt the day out you have planned when they will be there other days to visit. I'd go forward as planned.

WhoNickedMyName · 11/12/2013 20:31

YANBU.

You've given them options.. Join you for breakfast, meet you in the city for lunch, or come for tea. If none of those choices suit them then oh well, you'll see them another day.

It doesn't matter if your DS won't remember the day. You will. And it sounds like a really lovely day that you've been looking forward to.

ohfourfoxache · 11/12/2013 20:32

Even if DS the day does result in stress though, going into the city etc, it is still your decision and they are still your plans. Yes it might go tits up, but memory making isn't always pink unicorns and rainbows. It could pour with rain. Or the journey back and forward could be a nightmare. But they are still memories and, one day, even if everything goes wrong then you will sit back and laugh about it.

If you see PIL then you may always resent them/your DP for making the day more about them than how you want to celebrate

bluecheeseforbreakfast · 11/12/2013 20:32

I'm so glad there are others that agree with me, I do worry that maybe I am being entitled and selfish and just letting my emotions take over.

It is a really easy day for ds, he is very energetic and active, the train will be fun he can look out of the window and "chat" to the other babies in the pram section, he will nap whilst we wonder around looking at the lights, the cafe has a motessori inspired play area so ds can toddle around there, then the museum is child friendly with lots of little interactive play areas :)

OP posts:
Donnadoon · 11/12/2013 20:32

YANBU
Arf at the " I didn't expect a push present " Grin

RedLondonBus · 11/12/2013 20:33

You don't like the PIL much do you?

RedLondonBus · 11/12/2013 20:34

Trains have a pram section these days?

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 11/12/2013 20:35

YANBU. Stick to your original plans, they sound fantastic, a day a child would enjoy - which is the point of the day!
Your PIL were invited to join you at the family party, and have chosen not to. That is their hard cheese.
Could they see you the night before / day after?

Squidwardtenticles · 11/12/2013 20:35

Go to the city. Fuck the pil.

bluecheeseforbreakfast · 11/12/2013 20:35

The museum is the most fun bit really, it's a museum of childrens stories so more emphasis on play/visual/sound stimulation that old artifacts, there is an amazing story train that I think is breathtaking i can't wait to see ds's face when we go on it :)

OP posts:
CaterpillarCara · 11/12/2013 20:36

The PIL are not making themselves very likeable!

ohfourfoxache · 11/12/2013 20:37

Ach, bugger them - this is about you and your family, not them. Stand firm and have a lovely time - and tell DP that it's been planned for ages and its not negotiable! Smile

shewhowines · 11/12/2013 20:37

YANBU.
They have been given plenty of options. It's up to them to put themselves out a bit to fit around you, not the other way round.

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