Birthday party problem

[dippylongstocking]

Sorry, this is quite trivial, but I need to unload.

DS's birthday is next weekend. Invited family (both sides) round for celebratory bbq as usual. DS is also having small party for 8 schoolfriends the following day. We haven't invited any of DS's cousins to the party, as they do not know his friends, and would presumably be at the bbq anyway.

BIL and SIL called to decline the invitation to the bbq as they don't want their DC eating greasy food. (That's fine. They never come anyway, and we always try to guess what the next excuse will be.)

DH mentioned the children's party (he regrets it now) and BIL is offended that his DC have not been invited. DH pointed out that none of DS's cousins from my family have been invited either, as it is just for schoolmates, and also that BIL's DC are quite a bit younger than DS, so might feel intimidated by a gaggle of older kids. BIL later sent DH a text to inform him that he and SIL are unhappy and disappointed that we do not realise how mature and advanced their DC are, and that our DS's birthday will be ruined for not seeing his cousins.

WIBU to text back and tell them to just F-off? They always make me feel so crappy and like I've made a wrong decision. I know that tomorrow I'm going to have MIL calling to 'mediate' (persuade me to invite the DC). Should I just give in and invite the DC anyway?

just call it a "school party" or a "class party".

The "family party" is the bbq

nutters they sound

"Yes, it would be a shame if DC's cousins are not at the family barbecue"

Or nothing.

Whichever.

Did MIL back them up over the other hilarious excuses, then? If so, I wonder what it was about the latest one which made her snap? Good news, whatever the reason.

Good for your MIL!

Do you actually like them? I mean, if they did come to the BBQ, would they be pleasant, good company etc?

BIL couldn't find his nice jacket, so neither of them came to my birthday meal as he would have felt underdressed

No, underdressed is when you arrive at a posh wedding venue 300 miles from home and only then does your DH realise he's not packed a shirt

They are comedy gold, OP.

I think the 3 month old worrying about his up-coming injections is even better than the nice jacket excuse. It's completely surreal.

I want your family.

SIL didn't want to be made to feel fat

What a pair of loons.

Glad you didn't cave and that you have MIL on side. Ignore the stupid text. Respond to any further communiques with 'There's a family party and a schoolfriends party.'

They are amazing!! You definitely need more of these people in your life

I think you should invite them to made up all events just so they have to think of more good excuses .

You have invited them to the family BBQ so the cousin can play together and they are choosing for them not to have that opportunity.

These excuses are comedy gold! Write a sitcom about them before someone else does!

I too am loving the excuses - can you not start a blog on their activities, they are fascinating.

pmsl at their excuses!

Invite them to a family fashion show party. Keep changing the dress code.

If they live so close, what about organising a street party in their road?

Their dc can't cut come as it will make your dc feel old. Am sure SIL can empathise with that...

OMG you couldn't make those excuses up!

Frankly it's a miracle you still invite them to anything as they sound like self-centred loons.

I'd text back that you were hurt that they said your food was greasy and don't want to see them for a few weeks to get over how upsetting it was

pluCaChange

Oh wow! They've hit a whole new level of batshit crazy. Please start inviting them round on a weekly basis just to see what nonsense excuses they can come up with. and post it here obviously

Sorry to say this, but anyone making up those awful lies/excuses doesn't like you

Ha!!

Loving their excuses. Please invite them to more things so you can keep us entertained.

YWNBU, they probably wouldn't even have come if the previous form is anything to go by. Sounds like they like being difficult for the sake of it.

The excuses are fecking laughable! Not coming because baby is worried about his injections .

Sorry OP but i laughed so much@greasy food!
I thought my bil was mad but yours wins the medal.

Ok tell them: 'hmm you think greasy bbq is bad? Wait until you see the party food. Tons and tons of sugary snacks, tons of sugar, a 1 kilo sugar bag in each party bag'.

Thank you for sharing these excuses, they are wonderful

And they are much more creative than my fathers excuses for not coming to any family events for about 10 years . He alternates between

The cat is ill and we can't leave it

And

Jane ( his wife ) is a Jehovah witness and doesn't agree with weddings/christenings/funerals

"The DC are underweight, and have been put on a high-fat diet."

"The DC are overweight, so we are cultivating model-thin friends for them at school. They're all coming to the school friends' party."

"Oh, no! A flock of money birds has just shat all over our house! We're really struggling to shovel up all the piles of money, but will still hold the BBQ and schoolkids' party, and hope no-one minds the mess of money everywhere."

"We have recently contracted a virus that causes us to speak Portuguese".

"DH is having haemorrhoid reduction, so his arse needs no further irritation".

"We think you're silly. And your children smell."