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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think if you suggest an event, you should at least help organise it?

41 replies

EvaBeaversProtege · 28/07/2014 23:35

Will keep this brief but am sitting here a bit perplexed.

I come from a large family, more sisters than brothers.

Two out of five of the girls work full time hours, one is a sahm (to very young children) and the other two have jobs (teaching & training) which allow them the summer off.

It's a relatives birthday in the next few weeks, not a milestone, but half a milestone if you see what I mean. I don't think it's one that needs a big celebration seeing as 5 years ago we had a massive party, massive present etc..

However, one sister suggested at the weekend we 'do something' to mark the occasion.

I replied (via text message) that I was planning on sending a card. She said she thought we should arrange a meal.

I asked what she was thinking of, where, how many people etc.. And she said "oh, I don't know, I've no intention of organising anything, I was hoping you would do it!"

No. I'm not fucking doing it. If she hadn't the intention of following the plans through, why suggest anything?

She has the summer off, I don't!

I don't want to put too much info (already have enough here) but in the past I have been left to organise stuff, order cakes (which are costly & no-one would offer to share cost) make banners, decorate rooms, then sit & sweat incase something goes wrong & it falls back on me.

AIBU to ask nothing more about it & let her organise away at it if she wants?

Of course I could offer to help her, but experience has taught me that helping in situations like this means doing it all myself!

OP posts:
EvaBeaversProtege · 29/07/2014 19:06

Thanks for all the responses!

I had a missed call from a family member today and a voicemail saying "hi Eva, just me, ringing to see if you need a hand with X's birthday celebration! Let me know, as I'm busy that week but XXX is off work & can bail you out if you're getting it tight what with work & all!" (This is paraphrased as I'm not daft enough to put the actual message!)

I sent a message to all saying "there's been crossed wires somewhere as I'm not organising anything. I've bought a card & will post it. Xx"

Have had positive responses so far apart from sister who replied "oh well, no party then! Hope X lives another 5 years & we'll throw a HUGE one"

Dickhead.

OP posts:
angelohsodelight · 29/07/2014 19:08

What a twat! Yanbu

Phineyj · 29/07/2014 19:11

YANBU. Stick to your guns. Your DSIS sounds very cheeky!

MaryWestmacott · 29/07/2014 19:17

Reply to sis "I'm not stopping you arranging anything, am a bit snowed under at the mo, if I can join you I will, but don't plan round me, I don't mind missing this and I'm sure you can sort it without needing my input."

Don't rise to the stroppy messages, keep pointing out to her she can do it herself, if she chooses not to, that's her choice, don't let the narrative be that you stopped it happening.

MaryWestmacott · 29/07/2014 19:19

Actually, strip that back further:
"Am not stopping you arranging anything, let me know what you decide to do for x birthday."

DocDaneeka · 29/07/2014 19:21

I'd txt her back and say in a nice passive aggressive way 'I take it by 'we' you mean 'me' you need to understand I'm through with organising everyone. the answer will still be no.'

Optimist1 · 29/07/2014 19:43

Good response to the enquiring family member, Eva. And plenty of suggestions for suitable responses to your sister.

What is it with these "milestones"? I can just about cope with those marking a decade (provided no-one gives me the rage by referring to "the big 4-oh or similar), but by marking the half-decade birthdays it just devalues the special features of the other milestones, surely? I should mention that I love all birthdays, whether my own or someone else's.

YANBU

FunkyBoldRibena · 29/07/2014 19:47

"oh well, no party then! Hope X lives another 5 years & we'll throw a HUGE one"

'You couldn't throw a ball for the cat dear sister, without me doing it for you. I'll believe it when I see it. Diary marked.'

NellyNoodle1 · 29/07/2014 20:10

I used to organise everything at work. Every collection, every Christmas do the lot - I had two major events quite close together and not a card, kiss my arse or anything. Just stopped doing it. Kept being asked at Christmas what we were doing and faces were pulled at each other when I said 'I dunno I'm not doing this one'. Stopped putting to collections too unless I liked the person or thought it was a good enough reason - missed me out but then they come round because a member of staff who has said hello to me twice has had a baby and would I like to contribute - erm no.

Good for you.

NellyNoodle1 · 29/07/2014 20:11

Sorry member of staff's wife had had a baby! Hadn't even met her!

Ooh I'm getting worked up thinking about it.

OnIlkelyMoorBahtat · 29/07/2014 20:32

Good work Eva! Your sis has more front than Blackpool Grin

EvaBeaversProtege · 29/07/2014 21:51

I replied that I hoped X lives for more than 5 more years and that should give them enough time to organise themselves Grin she replied with a 'lol' so I'm not replying anymore.

Thanks for the support. Dh is supportive too!

I'm actually a thinker and a doer if that's possible. I've to be organised in my job & suppose transfer skills in organising events.

But usually when I suggest something (a bunch of flowers for an aunt who had received bad news for example) I stick everyone's names on the card (like if they're a fiver in tesco) but for something more ie: 40th for my elder brother I booked restaurant, ordered & collected cake, organised collection of money for present &ade a memory book (including requesting pix from family a number of times well in advance to give me time to do it, but not getting them until 2 days before the event.)

I don't begrudge organising it if I have suggested it or if I'm helping someone else - this time it's just the fact that I don't think anything needs done, it isn't/wasn't my suggestion and I've made it clear I'm not doing it :)

I think that's the end of it.

OP posts:
Marcelinewhyareyousomean · 29/07/2014 22:31

It's mad not to rope in the males and females. In any case, stuff them. You've undertaken more than your fair share.

LittlePeaPod · 30/07/2014 03:45

Good for you Op..Grin

HibiscusIsland · 30/07/2014 10:36

Your sister is unbelievable. Thank goodness you've stopped letting her take the piss

ViviPru · 30/07/2014 10:49

Great response OP. Good for you.

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