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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

all invited for a sleepover but one

271 replies

elderflowerandrose · 29/04/2018 12:01

We are all going to a theme park tomorrow. Three girls (age 8&9) all great friends and excited to be going, all 3 mothers are going and are good friends too, not super close but enough to see each other for lunch, drinks etc. Just found out from my dd whom is very upset that the other 2 are having a sleepover tonight and driving there together and she hasn't been invited.

I am quite surprised (and hurt) that they have arranged this quietly, as usually all the girls have a sleepover together. I have noticed one of the mothers is really trying to appeal to the other but didn't think much of it (same one that arranged the sleepover) Dd thinks it is going to awkward if the other girls are chatting all day about the fun sleepover they have had and she hasn't been with them. She is also surprised that they would think this was okay.

I am not sure whether to talk them about it, ignore and carry on and hope that dd isn't upset tomorrow. Is my dd being over sensitive or is this just quite hurtful?

OP posts:
RomeoBunny · 29/04/2018 13:26

You're being so OTT about this it's actually comical. You need to explain to your daughter that friends are allowed to have other friends too and make plans with them and just them. Just like when you're a big brave adult in the real world.

As for sharing everything and doing things as a group, just to be nice, no. You do things because you want to do them and you do them with who you want to do them with. Not just 'to be nice' or kind.

RomeoBunny · 29/04/2018 13:26

Also is there a reason why she can't be friends with some of the boys too? Hmm

elderflowerandrose · 29/04/2018 13:27

zoe I appreciate not everyone is invited to everything, and I am the first to point it out to my dd, and she is normally fine with it. I guess it is the intensity of having 3 girls and just one left out, and they are her closest friends.
I don't intend to be mama bear, equally I am sure as hell not going to forget it either.

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Rachie1973 · 29/04/2018 13:28

You're so over invested in this! Been there, done that.

I look back now and think what the fuck was I doing????

Micromanaging your kids friendships never end well.

At this age it will shift and move as quickly as you change your underwear. You're taking it all far too personally.

elderflowerandrose · 29/04/2018 13:29

romeo would love dd to play with boys but she would rather walk on hot coals of fire so can't force it.

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elderflowerandrose · 29/04/2018 13:30

rachie I don't think I am the one micromanaging, I think that is host mother to be frank.

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Centreparcsooheer · 29/04/2018 13:31

fluffyrobin they normally have a sleep over together. This is the issue.

My daughter would also be upset in this situation. It will be hard as no doubt they'll be talking about what they did the night before. We are like you and try to be fair but others are not as understanding or are just manipulative!!!

ohtheholidays · 29/04/2018 13:31

You said your DD has some other good friends outside of school,would you be able to invite one of them over and take them to the theme park tomorrow?A long shot I know but it might make your DD and you feel better,for what it's worth I think both of the Mum's have been awful,we have 5DC and we've never left a child out when it's come to partys/sleep overs or days out.

Children learn from they're parents about being kind and I fear both of the Mum's are doing they're children a real disservice!

elderflowerandrose · 29/04/2018 13:33

centreparc exactly. It is usual for them to all have a sleepover together and so far this has never happened before.

I am worried dd will feel left out all day as a result.

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Octonaught · 29/04/2018 13:33

So the sleepover is tonight. I think you need to be direct but humorous.
So rich mum has invited bday girl for sleepover with her ( only child, newly arrived Dd)

Set up a WhatsApp group with you, rich mum & bday mum so you can see when posts are read.

Explain the situation in neutral, non confrontational language, such as: “ Dd has heard about the sleepover tonight, and feels sad to be, as she sees it, excluded. Is there any possibility of squeezing her in tonight too, I can send her with a sleeping bag, so there is no extra work for . It would be so nice for all three girls to start celebrating birthday together. Sorry for being cheeky in asking, but Dd is quite upset, I hope you both understand, and can help me out here”

That way ball is in their court, you have been direct, but polite. Also with WhatsApp, you can see if the message has been read.

CPtart · 29/04/2018 13:34

Why are they not in school tomorrow?

elderflowerandrose · 29/04/2018 13:35

ontheholidays Maybe I should invite someone else to balance things out..that is a really good idea, I wonder if anyone can do short notice.

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elderflowerandrose · 29/04/2018 13:35

Teacher training day tomorrow, so that is why we booked a day out as a treat.

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ThereAreTooMany · 29/04/2018 13:36

I think you are overreacting too. There could be an entirely innocent reason why the girl was invited. Perhaps her parents needed a babysitter for the evening and the other mother volunteered. Or perhaps the girl genuinely only likes having one friend over at a time. It doesn’t necessarily mean the mother is scheming a plan to ostracize your daughter.

youarenotkiddingme · 29/04/2018 13:36

I'm glad you know the rational way to deal with it and building resilience is the key here.

But your initial reaction is perfectly normal - our first reaction to protect our kids from crap at all costs and try to prevent them being upset.its not very useful for them long term.

My ds is older now (13) and I word it as "you'll meet dickheads everyday of your life. Friends will disappoint you. Friends may even turn out not to be the people you thought they were. But you cannot control or change people. You can control your reaction to it and control how you make yourself happy"

Limoncell0 · 29/04/2018 13:38

OP - I completely get how you're feeling but are you sure there isn't a practical reason for this - e.g. the other mother might have asked for her DD to have a sleepover as a favour as she's out tonight? Or maybe she didn't want to drive so the sleepover mum offered and said the DD might as well stay over?

My DC are a bit older now but all kids come across this kind of thing at some point. I've found it's generally thoughtlessness on the part of the other mum, rather than malicious.

For instance, my daughter has a trundle bed which can be pulled out from under her bed if she has just one friend over, but if it's any more than that they tend to camp in the living room and it's much more excitement / less sleep all round. I would never knowingly exclude any child, but some mums just don't think and go with the simpler option.

If her daughter is fairly new, that mum is probably anxious about her settling in. She won't be fully aware of the history between your DD and the other girl. In any case, friendships at that age are in continual flux quite often. Maybe her daughter feels we is particularly clicking with the other girl this week for some random reason - e.g. They both like unicorns or the same sandwiches or whatever? She has asked her mum if x can sleepover and her mum has said ok without giving it too much thought?

It is of course possible that this mum feels she particularly connects with or is impressed by the other mum. In this case, There is not much you can do I'm afraid.

Maybe she can only cope with 2 girls at a time overnight and was planning to ask your DD next time? Simple as that.

Whatever it is, I'm sure she has no idea as to the impact of this sleepover on you and your DD.

As a PP said, 3 will be a tricky number tomorrow for rides.

I would suck it up for now, Go tomorrow, sense the vibe and make a decision from there as to whether to take a step back going forward.

Octonaught · 29/04/2018 13:39

Read too quickly, it’s not a birthdayBlush
Yes invite another child

PotteryLady · 29/04/2018 13:39

We had this when dd started in reception 4 girls and 7 boys then her bf left at the start of y1 and dd was miserable- moved schools at the Easter- best thing we did.

Rachie1973 · 29/04/2018 13:40

Explain the situation in neutral, non confrontational language, such as: “ Dd has heard about the sleepover tonight, and feels sad to be, as she sees it, excluded. Is there any possibility of squeezing her in tonight too, I can send her with a sleeping bag, so there is no extra work for . It would be so nice for all three girls to start celebrating birthday together. Sorry for being cheeky in asking, but Dd is quite upset, I hope you both understand, and can help me out here”

Please don't do this! It puts them on the spot and you'll find she's invited less and less.

Luckyme2 · 29/04/2018 13:41

It may not be the mum at all. The other 2 may just be going through a phase where they are closer to each other than your DD at the moment. Very common for friendships to shift at that age. In a few weeks the dynamics may have changed again. And a group of 3 is often a nightmare! If your DD is upset though I'd definitely consider asking a 4th to join you tomorrow and maybe sleepover tonight. Because if the dynamics HAVE shifted at the moment then it's really going to be highlighted when they go on rides in 2's and 1 child is going to be left out. That was always going to happen taking 3 children to a theme park though. Unfortunately given the current situation it's likely to ge your DD left out. In future I think try to take an even number of children to a theme park!

elderflowerandrose · 29/04/2018 13:41

octonaught Thank you for taking the time to reply, and no it is not a birthday which thankful would be even worse!

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elderflowerandrose · 29/04/2018 13:43

pottery interesting comparison, I can see why you left. It really isn't easy having so few girls to play with. Any kind of arguments seems to be amplified. Up to now it has been okay, but wondering for how long? So pleased it worked out for you. It must be a relief.

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Beamur · 29/04/2018 13:43

The advice given on page 1 was spot on. Don't lie to your DD about this, it really isn't a big deal as long as it's not part of an ongoing pattern of being left out.
Your DD isn't entitled to be invited to everything and neither of the other Mums owes you an explanation.
My DD is a little older but also at a small school. She got sent messages last night from 2 friends of hers who were having a sleepover, not to be mean (I saw them) but just to say hi, because they know my DD doesn't do the 'fear of missing out' thing. They haven't and won't fall out about this because they're not insecure about their friendships.
Encourage your DD not to feel upset about this. It really doesn't have to be something to concern any of you.

elderflowerandrose · 29/04/2018 13:44

Originally one other girl was coming, but she pulled out so now we are 3.

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Octonaught · 29/04/2018 13:45

No problem elder I guess it’s what I’d do for my 7yo DS.
I think I may be a bit guilty of “ lawnmower parenting” it’s interesting to hear all the other perspectives.

I hope you find a solution and have a nice day tomorrow