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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

...to be gutted by my birthday surprise!

953 replies

TheresAMouse · 27/09/2019 08:26

I am turning 40 this year and never usually go to much trouble for my birthday. Seeing as it's a milestone one I decided to arrange something nice to mark the occasion. My partner and I have been together for about 2 years. We chose a lovely little cottage with a hot tub for a few nights just for the two of us. I arranged for my parents (who live out of the area) to have my two young kids and I was delighted with the plan. As my parents would be staying with us, I then had the opportunity to celebrate with them also with a meal when we got back.

My partner has now revealed the surprise that he didn't book that cottage and instead he's booked another one so that my parents, my kids, my sister and BIL and my partners kids will be coming away to celebrate my birthday. My immediate feeling was that I felt gutted. I'm not keen on the fuss and I was quite looking forward to being childfree for a few nights - as I rarely get the opportunity. I feel so ungrateful for feeling like this. I know he has gone to a lot of trouble to arrange this and I really do appreciate the sentiment behind it. If we didn't already have a plan in place (or so I thought) - I'm sure I would be delighted. We go away next weekend and I'm just feeling blah about it. I've told my partner I'm really grateful for the surprise etc. I really tried to hide my reaction but I know he knows I'm not ecstatic about it. I feel really awful about the whole thing. Please tell me am I being completely out of order?

OP posts:
LovePoppy · 01/10/2019 20:47

Well
You obviously have an answer for everything

Why have we not appointed you dictator yet?

CraftyYankee · 01/10/2019 21:27

Who knows if there are shops? And shops don't carry things like favorite stuffiest or particular color socks without which a child will not get dressed in the morning.

You know, the mental load stuff that was the whole reason OP wanted a child free break in the first place...🙄

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 02/10/2019 17:59

@TheresAMouse we're halfway through the week, how are things? Any sign of a solid plan?

Zebraaa · 02/10/2019 18:18

Honestly this thread is like a jealous gaggle of witches screeching LTB!

lovemenorca · 02/10/2019 18:24

Replace “this thread” with “this website” and it still largely works!

MinnieMountain · 03/10/2019 07:05

Bugger off then if it bothers you that much lovemenorca.

lovemenorca · 03/10/2019 07:26

Who said it bothers me?
I’ve no problem with witches!

Aaarrgghhh · 03/10/2019 08:19

It bothers you enough to comment though..

lovemenorca · 03/10/2019 09:32

Not really.... love a bit of mumsnet and it’s witchiness is often part of the appeal!

SecondRow · 03/10/2019 10:19

I'm not sure if I missed it TheresAMouse, but in the course of two or three tearful conversations did he actually offer to cancel it at all?

I know you said you would feel bad and you are going to make the most of it now. But was that even on his radar as an option, given that he realised he'd got wrong?

Witchinaditch · 04/10/2019 16:27

Have a fabulous birthday weekend with all the people you love this weekend Op

TheresAMouse · 04/10/2019 23:29

@BuzzShitbagBobbly he has come up with a short list of plans for me to choose from in terms of activities. He is making a meal for everyone for the first night that we can heat up when we get there. He's also started a WhatsApp group to gather everyone's requests for shopping.

OP posts:
ScarlettSahara · 05/10/2019 00:10

That’s great OP- he listened. Now enjoy being with your family & celebrating your birthday! 🍾🎉🎂

LovePoppy · 05/10/2019 01:54

I’m so glad he’s taking the reins

MarthasGinYard · 05/10/2019 07:44

FantasticSmile

Daftapath · 05/10/2019 09:41

That is a great start. Will he be doing the shopping?

YetAnotherSpartacus · 05/10/2019 09:43

That's great OP. It sounds like a case of lemons and lemonade to me :)

TheresAMouse · 05/10/2019 10:24

@Daftapath yep he will 😁

OP posts:
AnneKipanki · 05/10/2019 10:26

Thumbs up ! @TheresAMouse

OhioOhioOhio · 05/10/2019 11:22

Yay. That sounds wonderful.

Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 05/10/2019 11:23

Brilliant, @TheresAMouse Grin

GrandmaSteglitszch · 05/10/2019 12:29

Great news!
Did he plan on doing that, all along, or is he now realising the amount of work he was landing on you, in the guise of a birthday surprise?

I hope it all goes well, anyhow. Flowers
(And that no-one treats him as a hero for doing normal work.)

Daftapath · 05/10/2019 14:09

@TheresAMouse great! 👏🏻👏🏻

I do hope that makes you feel slightly better about things and that you are able to enjoy yourself over the weekend away.

And also that dp gets on and books the weekend that you wanted in the first place!

TheresAMouse · 05/10/2019 20:50

Oh hang on. He's now talking about leaving early at 8:30 on the Sunday morning so that he can get home to take his kids to rugby. I've said I'd prefer to have a bit of a lie in and do something on the morning before we go home.....

OP posts:
JuneSpoon · 05/10/2019 21:10

Leaving at 8:30 would mean getting up at.... 6:30? To make sure everything is packed up, reasonably tidy, have breakfast etc. They'll have to miss rugby this week. Plus it means you have only one full day and can't relax properly on Sat night as you'd have to be up early.