I've had to name change for this as it could be identifying with other posts and threads.
I'm prepared to be told that I'm being unreasonable. I just need some help to see why. I'll try not to drip feed so it might be a bit long.
So, I'm in my late 20's with DS who is 2. I started university when I was 21 and am due to graduate in July. I had to drop out during my second year due to medical reasons and it took me a few years to get back on track and the birth of DS before I returned.
This year has been particularly hard, as well as dealing with a toddler and a dissertation there have been family bereavements on both mine and DH's side, DH lost his job and I almost had to drop out again and get a full time job and DS had to have major surgery meaning I had to miss a large chunk of uni while he as recovering. I'm finally catching up and now I have my graduation date there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
For the graduation ceremony, I can get 3 tickets. So one would be for DH and the other two for my parents. When I got the date I called my mum to ask if she could get it off work and she said she's book it off and get my dad to too. My dad went to university when he was in his late 30's and now has a really good job thanks to all the hard work he put in. He's always encouraged me to study and has been there when I needed someone to proof read for me or just give me advice. He text me to say he was looking forward to it and asked me to find somewhere we can go afterwards for a celebratory meal.
This weekend we had a family party to go to. Whilst there my aunty came over to talk to my mum and dad and asked if they had booked a holiday yet. My mum said that they'd booked one the day before and where they were going. I later asked when they were going and she said that they're going the day of my graduation. She said "I checked my leave in work on Friday and I'd already booked that day off for some reason so me and your dad decided to book it for then." I laughed, assuming she was just winding me up and said "That's funny, DH has that day booked off too!" When she suggested we come on holiday with them DH laughed and said "Yeah, I'd rather be sunning myself than at your boring graduation!" We both laughed but my mum's face dropped. It turns out that they actually have booked the holiday for that day and had both completely forgot about it.
Now I know it's just a day and I'd never dream of suggesting they cancel the holiday just so they can come but is it unreasonable of me to be really annoyed that they both forgot about it and then when booking didn't even think of double checking as they were told earlier this year that it would be around that time? DH has said that we'll do something just the three of us which will be lovely. I'm just upset that they went to both my brother, sister and sister in law's graduation and they wont be at mine. I know so many people struggle to get through university but I think that I've had quite a journey to get here and am disappointed that it doesn't seem as important to them.
I've never had a day that was just "for me". My brother got married on my 21st birthday and my sister had my eldest niece on my 18th birthday (I woke up to an empty house and a note on the door saying "Had to go the hospital, S is in labour. Will call to keep you updated" followed by a text saying happy birthday after a few hours!). Even my wedding day was overshadowed by my sister in law who decided to announce her pregnancy that morning when putting the bridesmaid dress on! I've never been bothered by any of that, I even spent half the time getting my wedding dress on crying with SIL as I was so happy for her to finally be pregnant and I loved being a bridesmaid for SIL and DB and was so excited at becoming an aunty.
I just thought that this could be a day where I spend time with my parents and DH where the main reason to celebrate was , well, me! I know that sounds a bit childish!