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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To cancel DD’s birthday?

633 replies

NattyGeo · 24/03/2019 16:47

NC’d to avoid being identified. My DD is set to have her 18th on a Thursday. We have booked a spa place with a restaurant, her and 5 friends have use of the swimming pool and sauna and will be having an 8 course tasting menu after. Costing us £350. Thinking of cancelling because she went to the People’s March when I told her she wasn’t allowed. She mentioned it on Thursday, a group of friends were going. she is very anti-Brexit and into politics (a real budding leftie), but I said no because it meant taking a National express at 4.30am to get to London by mid-morning and TBH I just didn’t see the point in doing it when we leave the EU next week! It would also mean taking a day off from her Saturday job. She sulked and stropped but I stood firm.

Yesterday morning I went to wake her as couldn’t hear her get up for work. She’d put pillows in her bed where her body should be to make it look like she was there and was gone! I rang her 10 times, no answer and on the 11th time I left a voicemail to say if she didn’t call back in 10 minutes I’d be reporting her to the police as a missing person. She called back, was in the bus and said sorry for sneaking out but she really wanted to go. She’d caught an Uber at 4am!

She arrived back at 2am this morning on the bus. I went to pick her up from the bus station (on my , she wanted to be dropped off no doubt to avoid me), and when she got in the car she told me to “wipe that look off my face”. She says she’s sorry for being dishonest but not sorry for going. I’m furious. She’s usually good as gold and has never done anything like this. WIBU to cancel Thursdays party as a punishment?

OP posts:
boylovesmeerkats · 26/03/2019 09:21

Sorry but hats off to your daughter, you should be very proud of her principles, opinions and independence.

I was regularly out all night for no more worthy a reason than cheap vodka, heavy metal and snogs at that age.

She should apologise for scaring you, but you should probably apologise for not letting her go. She's pretty much an adult.

Then celebrate her birthday and the start of her adult life doing stuff you have no knowledge of! She sounds well equipped but will still need her mum to have fun with. That would be the best birthday present for her.

Holidayshopping · 26/03/2019 09:26

You were cross she got the Uber, but she would have had to get the Uber if you hadn’t banned her from going in the first place, as her friend’s mum would have driven her.

My friend (that I mentioned above) used to have to get a bus home alone at night from the club we went to so she could comply with her parents rules of wanting her back at 11pm on a Friday night when we were 18. Had she been allowed to stay till the club ended, she would have gone in a cab with 3/4 others.

IncognitoIsMyFavouriteWord · 26/03/2019 09:28

I'm sorry OP but you sound like a control freak.
She was rude to you because you dismissed her opinion and feelings towards something that could majorly affect her future.
She wanted to join a majorly political march. You tried to stop her and your actions meant she hid what she was doing from you. She was safe anyway and instead of commending her for her beliefs you want to cancel her 1st major birthday.
What a delightful mother you are.

Seahorseshoe · 26/03/2019 09:31

Don't cancel. She only gets one 18th. She's an adult now, making her own decisions.

I lost my daughter to cancer - enjoy every minute with her. I know you were worried about her and it came from a good place on your part, but life is too short.

Hope you all go and have a wonderful time. You'll look back and laugh one day - honestly you will.

QuizzlyBear · 26/03/2019 09:31

She wasn't out taking crack, she was out taking part in a protest that impacts directly on her future!

Besides, she's allowed to have a different opinion to you, she's your child, not your clone.

Bananasarenottheonlyfruit · 26/03/2019 09:34

I know the OP has sorted it with her daughter but that gem way upthread about young good looking girls getting assaulted in Ubers? Seriously? Do people really believe that sexual assault doesn’t happen to the ‘ugly’ people?

differentnameforthis · 26/03/2019 09:37

Now that apologies have been exchanged, this is a great learning moment for you both.

You have raised her well, now you have to let her have her own mind, and do her own thing. She did all the right things, annual leave, taxi etc. Be proud that you raised someone with principals. Be proud that they meant so much to her that she went against your wishes to do what she felt she needed to do at time.

This is an important time for you. You are about to go from being her parent, to having to take a more stand back approach. If you want an adult relationship with her you need to nurture that now!

She wouldn't have had to lie and take an Uber if you let her go. She wouldn't have been rude to you (hurt pride, shame at being " caught out) and you need not have worried.

The fact that she woulnd't have wanted you there speaks volumes. Don't lose her as soon as she is old enough to leave home .

justmyview · 26/03/2019 09:46

I know the OP has sorted it with her daughter but that gem way upthread about young good looking girls getting assaulted in Ubers? Seriously? Do people really believe that sexual assault doesn’t happen to the ‘ugly’ people?

Yes, I also raised an eyebrow at that comment. Like when girls are abducted, and everyone comments on how pretty they are. Like it doesn't matter so much if you're a boy, or a less pretty girl

Leapfrog44 · 26/03/2019 10:24

Are you serious?????

What kind of mother attempts to stop their EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD offspring from attending a protest to stand and march for something she believes in?

That's very strange and controlling behaviour on your part and consequently stuffing the bed with pillows is something you'd expect from a 14 year old. You're now allowing her to be the adult she ought to be.

Leapfrog44 · 26/03/2019 10:25

You're NOT allowing.. I meant.

Tessabelle74 · 26/03/2019 10:25

Yabu, she's very nearly an adult and you should be supporting her choices even if they differ from your beliefs

Bugbabe1970 · 26/03/2019 12:17

Good for her!
Not as if she was out getting kissed it taking drugs!
Don’t be such a meany.
That’s a fine young lady you’ve got there, standing up for her convictions. You should be proud.
Do you really want to upset her so much! You’ll regret it and she will never forgive you ☹️

bubblegumunicorn · 26/03/2019 14:31

I think it's great shes 18 in a couple of days so this could be one of the most important things she has done in her life! If we go in for a vote or second referendum she will get a say and it will be the first time she has had a say in politics! My 18 year old brother didn't get a say in the vote either an I know he's passionate about not leaving! This would be his vote too and that important as all of these teenagers who were in year 10-12 in 2016 are now over 18 or almost over 18 and want their voices heard! If this is the best way for them to do it then she did the right thing!

darthbreakz · 26/03/2019 17:07

I hope when my kids are older they sneak off to political protests! Good on her!

Imjusthere · 26/03/2019 17:33

Much cooler = less controling? Blush

Mymomsbetterthanyomom · 27/03/2019 18:44

I would ABSOLUTELY cancel.
The ones saying you should allow her to lie to you and sneak out of your home,they obviously don't have teenagers.And they either don't have teens or snuck out as teenagers...So yea,they have no idea.
I have 3 teenagers and my oldest is in college 3 hours away. When he is home our rules are still the same.He has to let us know where he's going etc and a round about time when he will be home.
Stick to your guns.She can go to political rallies when she has moved out of your home!!

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 27/03/2019 19:07

Maybe you should ABSOLUTELY read the fucking thread so you could know this was resolved days ago, and you wouldn’t look like a total dingbat.

differentnameforthis · 28/03/2019 07:22

The ones saying you should allow her to lie to you and sneak out of your home,they obviously don't have teenagers.And they either don't have teens or snuck out as teenagers...So yea,they have no idea. No one is saying that she should allow her teen to lie and sneak out. Perhaps read the thread a bit more.

OP's daughter told her exactly where she wanted top go, with who and when. She only reported to sneaking out because op WU

MoreSlidingDoors · 28/03/2019 08:06

Lying is a vital human skill, usually perfected during teenage years as the surge for independence ramps up.

To expect a teen not to lie isn’t just unrealistic, it’s hampering their development.

Imagine a world without “ooh lovely, just what I’ve always wanted”, “if course your bum doesn’t look big in that” or “of course yours is the biggest I’ve had”.

cantbearsed1 · 28/03/2019 08:12

Or - of course I tell you everything mum.

myrtleWilson · 28/03/2019 08:18

Happy Birthday NattyGeo DD - hope she has a great day!

NattyGeo · 29/03/2019 11:46

Thought I'd pop back and update. They had a lovely day yesterday, She came home full and slightly merry from the Prosecco. I'm pleased I didn't cancel it.

I'm now trying to let it sink in that I have an adult child 😨😭

OP posts:
iklboo · 29/03/2019 12:02

Grin Glad it all went well OP.

S1naidSucks · 29/03/2019 12:49

Aww That’s lovely NattyGeo. It can be very difficult to stop being so involved in their lives. My oldest boy is 27 and when he cane back home to live for a while, I had to bite my tongue, but still lay awake at night until he was home. My middle child travels the world and I don’t think twice about it! 🤷🏻‍♀️

S1naidSucks · 29/03/2019 12:50

I mean home from a night out. I don’t mean I stayed awake for the three years he was at uni. 😁