Many happy returns?!

[Sandsnake]

DD about to turn one. DH writing our card to her and asks me what to put - I tell him whatever he thinks. He has wished her ‘many happy returns’. I’ve told him that he’s writing a card to our baby daughter, and not someone he met five years ago on a cruise. He says that ‘many happy returns’ is a totally normal, warm greeting from a parent on their baby’s birthday. Who’s right?

YANBU - no, that’s weird
YABU - ‘many happy returns’ is a totally normal birthday greeting for your baby

Obviously this is lighthearted, and I know she can’t read so it doesn’t actually matter.

It's a nice sentiment that means you hope they will have many more happy birthdays in the future - it's probably less relevant to someone really old, if anything. YABU!

sorry but i actually laughed out loud there.

im with you OP 😁

It wouldn't be something i'd write for a baby put it that way

My parents write "In our thoughts" in every card to me, regardless of the occasion. Which always feels a bit like a message of condolence and doesn't seem suited to a birthday, anniversary, graduation etc. I laugh about it now though. Keep the card, it'll be funny in years to come.

My card to dd on her first birthday was an adjective filled gush-fest. I think his version is slightly understated, but as you say, she can't read so it can go down in family lore as a "when dad wrote your card" story.

I hope he signed it ‘From your affectionate father.’

I think it's sweet but weird.

But my lovely dad ends emails to me with ' yours sincerely' so I may be biased.

It’s a bit Alan Partridge.

She's not going to be able to read it.

I have absolutely no idea if I even had a 1st birthday card.

I appreciate you think you are different / better than my parents all those years ago (I am old) but I promise you, you are not. Mine love me just as much as you love yours.

The card will get lost / ripped / mildewed / forgotten.

None of this means he doesn’t love your daughter.

Best wishes
Warmest regards

My mum wrote "best wishes" in my birthday card a few years ago. So I think many happy returns is better than that, but only just.

Best thing I've read today! 🤣🤣

Bloody ridiculous! I hope he shakes her hand as he gives it to her

Given how stupid the idea of writing a card to a toddler is, I think his take on it his hilarious

The baby can’t read. It doesn’t matter. They’ll eat the card anyway.

@oneglassandpuzzled

I hope he signed it ‘From your affectionate father.’

@shakeitoffshakeacocktail

Best thing I've read today! 🤣🤣

Bloody ridiculous! I hope he shakes her hand as he gives it to her

🤣

You know he'll have to write it every year from now on!

Is that you, Mrs Rees-Mogg...?

Ha, thanks for all the comments! So pleased to be right... Particularly enjoyed the one about Mrs Rees Mogg (husband not so keen )

Hope he put 'fondest wishes' or something.
It sounds like something written by a polite older man in a cardigan with big round leather buttons. It's pretty cute really, hope it's just a gentle teasing he's getting!

To be fair my dad comes out with random things on cards, I love it really.
He also uses those pre-set messages on his phone so sometimes get pretty weirdly formal replies.

Ew, David

Not weirder than giving a card to the 1 year old living with you!

I don't think I wrote a card when my two were one. I certainly haven't kept any of their birthday cards either.

@CherryRoulade

The baby can’t read. It doesn’t matter. They’ll eat the card anyway.

This ^

I alway got from mam, no love. I called my aunt mum from about 8 when my mum disappeared.