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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think this mother has been rude and thoughtless (birthday party related)

183 replies

lem73 · 16/07/2015 21:37

Last week we invited a girl from dd's class for tea. Let's call her Amy. She has only just started this term. When we dropped her at home the mother said thanks etc and the little girl whispered something in her ear. So the mum said 'oh yes, would your DD like to come to Amy's birthday next weekend (Sat 18th)'. I said yes that's fine thanks for the invitation, she can come'. The mum said she'd give me a proper invitation at school, she was just a bit disorganized. I couldn't help thinking dd was just an after thought but as it was said in front of dd I had to accept. Anyway she hasn't given me an invitation and I'm sure she's trying to avoid me at school. I didn't really care til dd came out of school and started asking questions about Amy's party on Saturday, as some girls were talking about it. I said I'm sorry we've not been given a proper invitation so it looks like you're not invited after all. She got upset and said 'but her mum told me I was'.
So my question is this: AIBU to think if you tell a 7 year old child to their face that they are invited to a party you don't change your mind and hope they are either forgetful or thick skinned? I agree not everyone needs to be invited but she told dd she was and has apparently changed her mind. In the past my dcs have gone and invited extra kids to parties without asking first and I would never dream of letting a child down, even if it costs extra. It was even her child who did the inviting, it was her.

OP posts:
Stealthpolarbear · 17/07/2015 14:31

Yes, I don't understand what she's going to get back to you about. She seems to be taking the lead from her dd about whether yours is still invited. Which is crap

BrendaBlackhead · 17/07/2015 14:32

I feel you have been treated a bit meanly on this thread, lem73!

I chew over what people have said or meant ad infinitum, even regarding a children's party.

I think Mrs Amy has been very rude. I would have said to Amy, if I were her mother, that she had invited lem's dd now, so she has to come. You can't invite and univite people to parties, even if you are seven.

I was in this situation a couple of years ago. Dd invited the new girl at school to tea. The mother was a bit bonkers ("Are you police checked?" to me beforehand Confused ) but then about a month later the girl had a party and dd wasn't invited. I thought it behoved one to return hospitality via a party, but I guess not. Anyway, two years on this girl is a right madam picking up friends and dropping them and ganging up on the old ones.

lem73 · 17/07/2015 14:41

The mum has just called me. She now says there was no falling out. Amy doesn't want dd there because she is best friends with the other girls because they've known each other for years and Amy feels she'll get left out.

OP posts:
TheHouseOnBellSt · 17/07/2015 14:43

Well that's shit! I think that Mother needs to teach her DD some manners!

Ie. You do NOT invite someone and then UN invite them!

My DD would not be allowed to treat a friend like this!

Tell DD it was a mix up because the venue has only room for those who were asked first and then take her somewhere nice.

Beeswax2017 · 17/07/2015 14:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mrsfrumble · 17/07/2015 14:53

Okay, well that is shitty behaviour! No way should the daughter be allowed to chop and change like that. If it was my child, I would tell them that if they invite someone, that person is coming and they will bloody well be kind and friendly to them!

vvega · 17/07/2015 15:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lem73 · 17/07/2015 15:07

I think she should stay well away. I don't want dd sucked into any dramas. We've never had friendship issues at that school. Even the teachers say there a lovely year group. I don't want to start now.

OP posts:
IssyStark · 17/07/2015 15:14

I do think you sat on this a bit at the beginning in that you should have been chasing up paper invite, firming up details etc a bit earlier but the mother and Amy have not exactly covered themselves in glory.

It's absolutely appalling to let Amy think she can treat people like that, even if the reason is ostensibly a good one (worried about fitting in). The mum should be teaching Amy about being a kind hostess and making everyone feel welcome, and not pandering to the 'in crowd'.

Dreadful life lesson to give. You're well out of it. I hope you and dd manage to go something lovely on Saturday afternoon.

RockinHippy · 17/07/2015 15:17

Crikey, a manipulative 7 yr old Wendy with a DM who facilitates it, your poor DD :(

You are definitely right to stay well away & speaking from experience, I would also suggest letting DDs class teacher know, so they can keep an eye & pre empty any problems in class

PoppyFleur · 17/07/2015 15:17

Good grief, disgraceful behaviour from the mother. My DC would not be allowed to treat a friend in this way and the mother is setting a very poor example.

Take DD out for a lovely afternoon instead and maybe give future play dates with this child a wide berth.

LovelyFriend · 17/07/2015 15:19

wow the Mum sounds like a nightmare!

Swerve the in the future and defo don't invite Amy next year.

EeyoresTail · 17/07/2015 15:23

They're 7 FFS They are perfectly capable of playing together without a child feeling left out! It sounds like your DD had a lucky escape if this is how the birthday child is going to be. Can you imagine what she will be like when she's a teenager. Definitely time to start distancing your DD from birthday girl I think. It seems to me that the mother handled this badly

ThereIsIron · 17/07/2015 15:23

The mum has just called me. She now says there was no falling out. Amy doesn't want dd there because she is best friends with the other girls because they've known each other for years and Amy feels she'll get left out.

Been there having put 2 girls through primary school. Girls are bloody hard work I tell you. In a situation like this the best approach is to just keep Amy at arms length. No playdates, tea, etc. They may be friends next week but not the week after. Just let them figure it out themselves.

diddl · 17/07/2015 15:24

Sounds like a "friend" to avoid, sadly.

maskingtherealme · 17/07/2015 16:22

Take your DD on a lovely day trip out somewhere to compensate for the bad manners and poor social ettiquette of Amy and Amy's mother. To be fair, you said there has never been any issues at the school regarding friendships etc and suddenly Amy turns up and your DD is being left out.
I would close the door on that one. Your DD is only seven and has potentially 6/7 weeks summer holidays and the opportunity to forge new friendships when she goes back to school. Year Three is still a young enough year to establish new friendship groups.
I feel sorry for your daughter. Never would I allow my son to uninvited someone for reasons Amy's mother gave. And as a matter of fact, I don't believe for one moment it is true. Don't allow your daughter to invite Amy back to your house again. A girl best avoided, even if she is just seven but in my experience, spiteful girls like her will ALWAYS be a spiteful girl.

cosmicglittergirl · 17/07/2015 16:49

Handled so badly by Amy's mother, how bizarre. Echoing other pps that you're well out of it.
YANBU

Laura0806 · 17/07/2015 17:07

Oh my goodness what a ridiculous situation. Your dd is best well out of that. Take her somewhere nice on saturday and keep this girl and her mother at arms length!

chaiselounger · 17/07/2015 17:21

What a shame for your dd. but I suppose she is best off out of such horribleness.

Imustgodowntotheseaagain · 17/07/2015 17:32

How have they known each other for years if Amy is new at the school?

lem73 · 17/07/2015 17:38

My dd and most of the girls in the class went to the same nursery. Amy is new. She arrived last term because she was bullied at her last school.

OP posts:
susanamarya · 17/07/2015 17:39

Exactly what I was thinking imust,I'm not buying this.

Roseforarose · 17/07/2015 18:00

Amy doesn't want dd there because she is best friends with the other girls because they've known each other for years and Amy feels she'll get left out.
Wow, Amy's only 7 and she's had best friends for years?? Grin

AnneOfCleavage · 17/07/2015 18:02

I believe what lem73 means is that her DD is best friends with the other girls & that Amy Will feel left out at her party if lem73's DD attends.
How different is it to all the other party girls leaving her out, why say your DD would be the one to leave Amy Out. Bit odd but Like you say, best well out of it. Sorry for your girl though Sad

doubleshotespresso · 17/07/2015 18:06

So OP how did you respond to Amy's Mum? Did you not query this whole thing "being led by a 7 year old"?