To lie to a family member that my sons Ill so he can look after the dog?

[teenmum18]

So we have a family wedding this Saturday but I totally forgot about the dog 🤦🏻‍♀️ can't get anyone last minute to look after her and definitely not putting her in kennels. Ds is 16 and isn't interested one bit in going but hasn't moaned and just excepted that his going. Would it be out of order if I tell the bride and groom that he's got a sickness bug and can't attend the wedding? He can stay with the dog and will happily have the house and food to himself so wouldn't feel left out about not going. I know he'd be fine with it but do you think it's a shitty thing to do to the couple?

If you might lie to them is posting it on the internet a good idea...?

What's wrong with kennels?

She's only a puppy so didn't want to put her in there. I've phoned a few around here but no one can take her in last minute.

Don't lie just tell the truth

Be honest and say what you have said here. A wedding won't be much fun for a 16 year old.

I very much doubt they'll care if your 16-year old attends or not, but as it's such late notice you should at least offer to cover the cost of his food etc.

I don’t see a problem with that if you absolutely have no dog care in place and won’t be able to - I mean everyone else is going so it’s not like it’s a complete no show. I suppose others might suggest yabu because they might have catered and paid for per head.

Could you pay one of his friends to hang out at yours for the day. Would be my teenager's idea of bliss. A day with a dog and a remote control.

Whatever you do (and I don’t think a white lie is a terrible idea in this situation), I hope you give a generous gift since the bride and groom will have already confirmed numbers and paid for the food your son now won’t eat!

Have you tried looking for dog sitters instead of kennels?

Considering the couple would have paid for your son to be there I would be looking so incredibly hard for a dog sitter before relying on him to do it. On every single dog walk this week I’d be stopping dog walkers and asking for recommendations.

Yeah I think I'll just stick some extra money in the card.

@TheBrockmans they've all got their prom this Saturday.

@TheBrockmans that’s a good idea!

@LittleLongDog I've tried them all no one can have her. My sons the only option.

unless ds is the bridegroom, it's not essential he turns up is it ? just be honest and offer to pay for his meal.
weddings can be abit...boring at the best of times, never been to a decent one yet,

Why lie? Just say hes not coming

It’s a bit of a shitty thing to do really, as they’ll already have paid and have done seating plans etc.

@fecketyfeck21 I don't want to tell them the truth because their not dog people so won't understand 🙈 they'd just say the dog would be fine on its own.
Ds wouldn't even eat the food that is being served for the sit down meal (roast dinner) he's never touched one in his life 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'll stick some extra money in the card to cover it.

Think it’s a bit late in the day but depending on the size of the wedding, there’s a chance they can still confirm final numbers with the venue. But I’d tell them today and please tell them the truth. Life is just easier that way.

@Rystall in our culture people say their going to attend and don't show so I'm guessing Ds won't be the only one that doesn't turn up. She's the only one in the family to do the whole sit down thing and everyone told her not to do it but she wouldn't have none of it. They've spent £6000 on food alone 🙈

YANBU. Do what you need to. A 16yr old wouldn’t be missed at any of the weddings I’ve been to.

I think it’s ‘she would have none of it’?

I think it’s be selfish and stupid to say he’s got a sick bug. If it were my wedding I’d worry about you all incubating a bug and passing it on. Not fair to start them worrying about this unnecessarily- they may even ask the whole family to stay away so your plan could backfire!

I think the idea of paying a mate of DS to puppysit is the best idea. If you must invent an illness, make it something that’s not contagious eg a migraine.

I second what @VivienneHolt said. They'll have paid upwards of £60 per head and your son being a no show means they're paying for food no one is eating, and likely won't be able to fill the spot such last minute. Definitely get them a generous gift, or put the pet head amount in a card.

(b)Yeah I think I'll just stick some extra money in the card (b)

Just seen your PP!

They haven't paid a penny. The brides parents pay for the wedding.

I wouldn't normally recommend lying but if you think the truth would be sneered at in this case, I think it would be fine as long as you do cover his wedding expenses with your gift.