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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Raging at crazy-rude party guest! Talk me down ladies.

282 replies

WoolyMammoth55 · 24/05/2021 20:15

Ok it's long, forgive me - need to unburden!

My DS's 5th birthday was this past weekend. We'd been hoping for a gathering in the garden in nice weather but the forecast was right and it was tipping down so we did a very small indoors thing instead. Shame because his last birthday was in full lockdown so had hoped for a nicer party but hey ho. We knew it was weather dependent so only invited the indoors-scenario people, but were hoping to add on others if it was sunny, and couldn't.

We have smaller kids including a very young baby, so the morning of the party was hectic. Trying to make the place look nice and get presentable while unwrapping presents and wrangling the kids - we could of used help from several nannies and cleaners! Kept on top of the downstairs but upstairs was a disaster zone. But DS had a nice morning, which was obviously the main thing.

DS's best bud has separated parents who are amicable. I am friends with the mum and have had playdates at her house, but only know the dad in passing. He's been to our house a few times but just to collect his son - we've never been invited to his. He didn't make it onto the tiny indoors guest list, but he called me in the morning - I was worried it was to say his DS couldn't come, which would have ruined it for mine! - but instead he was wrangling an invite. In the moment under pressure I said yes, that he could swing by towards the end - sort of thought he wanted to see the kids enjoying themselves or whatever.

So here's the thing: having been a CF and invited himself, does he behave well? HELL NO. Came earlier than I expected and totally empty-handed, not even a card for my son. Then get this - disappeared upstairs with the boys (who I'd told 'no going upstairs', but before he came) and stayed up there for ages, until eventually his ex went upstairs to get them down. No way he didn't get an eye-full of my dirty laundry (literally).

I am so furious and mortified. My unmade bed, my discarded towel, my nightie! I realise in a perfect world it would have been tidy but honestly at one point I didn't think I'd have time to shower...

We have had the situation at other play dates when the kids run off upstairs and I would NEVER follow without asking - what was he thinking?

Since then he's distinguished himself again by being the only guest not to say thanks for a lovely party. Nada from this guy. Unless he was raised by wolves then there's no mitigating circs that I can see and I think I might have to say something if I'm going to have to keep being civil to him.

Am I missing something? Is it not really that bad? And is it pointless saying anything? Urgh just want to throw up thinking about him poking around my bedroom!

OP posts:
melj1213 · 24/05/2021 22:08

To be fair, if he doesn't know you that well and you were breast-feeding, maybe he was trying to be helpful by getting on with supervising the boys without bothering you?

I agree with this, if he turned up and you were BF in the main party space maybe he felt uncomfortable (whilst in an ideal world he wouldn't be, in reality some people still are) and decided to make himself scarce by "checking on the kids" and staying away long enough to give you chance to finish BFing before he came back.

If he wasn't there when you told the kids to stay downstairs I imagine he thought it was fine for them to be upstairs and so went up to your DSs room and barely even noticed your bedroom, or the mess.

In my flat my bedroom is literally the first room you see when you come in and because the hallway is internal I try to keep all the doors open to let light filter through, I always try to keep my room tidy or at least keep all the crap hidden behind the door but if there is any chance of strangers coming in, I keep my bedroom door firmly closed.

tara66 · 24/05/2021 22:09

One can only expect one present and card from one family - not 2 presents if the parents are separated.
No one would think of bringing wine to a child's party.
How do you know he went into your bedroom?
Did he know you had a ''no upstairs'' rule?

PegasusReturns · 24/05/2021 22:11

What kind of weirdo would bring wine to a child’s 5th birthday party?

If it’s a party where you’re clearly hosting adults rather than a drop and run kids party then a bottle of wine is a totally reasonable offering at any party I’ve ever been to Confused

Mumtofourandnomore · 24/05/2021 22:13

Yes, I agree with the pp who said he might’ve been a bit uncomfortable with you bf, I know a few dads who would’ve found this awkward, particularly if you don’t really know them.

And I have to say that I’ve frequently had kids at our parties who haven’t brought a present at all, particularly if a separated parent has brought them, it doesn’t matter at all and I’d rather have the child with no present, rather than for the child to miss out. I definitely wouldn’t be expecting one from each parent !!

I do think it’s slightly odd that he invited himself though !!

FortunesFave · 24/05/2021 22:14

him and my friend live separately and have separate finances and always have, so his contribution to her gift was totally zero. That's why I'd assumed at least he'd bring a card, maybe a bottle of wine, from him as an individual.

So?? The gift is meant to be from your son's friend! Not TWO from his separated parents! You sound odd in the extreme....this long, rambling post about nothing!

kattekitt · 24/05/2021 22:15

Did he maybe think he was helping? Saw you were busy feeding baby and thought he’d help keep the kids entertained? He probably didn’t notice any mess or if he did, he’s had a child and I’m sure he knows it can sometimes be part of family life. As for the present there’s no way I would have expected him to bring anything as others have said it’s the kids bringing presents for their friends.

Standrewsschool · 24/05/2021 22:15

I wouldn’t expect someone to go upstairs either.

vincettenoir · 24/05/2021 22:16

I get why you didn’t like it and I wouldn’t like someone I barely know seeing my house untidy either. But, the fella just went upstairs to check on his kid. Just because, in the circs, it made you feel uncomfortable, doesn’t mean he did anything wrong. If you bring this up you will look unhinged.

Giantrooster · 24/05/2021 22:23

Crazy-rude

Disappointed Grin. I thought he had shagged someone in the bathroom taking down the sink in the process. Drunkenly vomited on the cake and left with the wrong child.

I assume he didn't bring a gift because his ds had already given one, instead of commenting on no supervision upstairs he did it himself, perhaps uncomfortable you were breastfeeding or hiding from too much mum company (perhaps he feels it's his ex's territory). Next time lock the doors where no one should set foot Grin.

Or perhaps he was just being an insensitive prick with bad manners.

But I really thought it would be something juicy. Breathe, smile and take it easy.

Lordamighty · 24/05/2021 22:29

I can’t believe that people think that it’s ok for an adult, who you hadn’t invited originally, to go upstairs in your house without asking. If he wanted to check on his own DS he should have called him down.
The cheeky sod.

WouldBeGood · 24/05/2021 22:38

Why would he have been in your bedroom?

Cactusesi · 24/05/2021 22:50

This is one of the most ridiculous tales I've ever heard.

Why not go upstairs yourself and bring the boys down, rather than allow a second adult to go upstairs to see the disgraceful state of your bedroom. The man wont have noticed anything untoward, his ex, your friend, might well have taken it all in and judged accordingly.

Perhaps his ex bollocked him on your behalf in front of his son and he was in no mood to thank you for your cold and disapproving hospitality.

OursonGuimauve · 24/05/2021 22:52

I'm not sure why he wanted to come because children's parties in other people's houses on a rainy weekend when you can't even slink into the garden for a break are a penance but bringing wine to a child's birthday party is Patsy-Stone-level weirdness.

lottiegarbanzo · 24/05/2021 22:54

Surely children go upstairs to look for toys to play with, in the child's bedroom.

Why would they go into your bedroom? Even if they did, people don't care about other people's mess.

theleafandnotthetree · 24/05/2021 22:56

@Lordamighty

I can’t believe that people think that it’s ok for an adult, who you hadn’t invited originally, to go upstairs in your house without asking. If he wanted to check on his own DS he should have called him down. The cheeky sod.
It's not so much that I would think it ok as that I wouldnt think it worth getting my knickers in a twist about. And I definitely wouldnt write on mumsnet about it.
SavoyCabbage · 24/05/2021 23:06

Presumably he came to spend time with his son and see him enjoy himself. Not to sit around with a load of parents he hardly knows. I suppose he was just doing the best he could in the circumstances.

I think it’s weird you expected him to bring his own birthday card as he and his ex have separate finances.
“Come on Bob, put your shoes on. You will have to wear the other pair as earrings as we have separate finances. Now, get your two pack lunches”

WoolyMammoth55 · 24/05/2021 23:25

It's not so much that I would think it ok as that I wouldnt think it worth getting my knickers in a twist about. And I definitely wouldnt write on mumsnet about it.

AHHHH, but that's where you're SO wrong! :) Before I wrote I was legit almost in tears about it, now I've had 100 strangers tell me (in a variety of gentle and not so much ways!) to get over myself, and I feel LOADS better! It's proper mumsnet magic, this.

Off to bed now but just for anyone still reading:

  • it wasn't a rented town hall, clown for entertainment, pass the parcel kids party. It was a rainy washout with toys and balloons and the best food I could procure and booze for the grown ups! The guests all bought booze AND gifts, except him who bought nothing... If that's PatsyStone weird then so be it.
  • It was after everyone left and I went up with the bubba that I found the cars they'd been playing with on my (unmade) bed. So that's when I knew they'd all been in my room and bed-adjacent and I remembered how long he'd been up there and started feeling gross. But I'm hormonal and I get that it's all wild over-reaction - YAY!
  • Also I've realised that what I'm really angry about is that I said yes when he asked point blank if he could come. I should have said no. I don't really like him and he made me feel uncomfortable and that's on me for being polite instead of being strong. Thanks ladies! Will do better.

Night all, and thanks again for setting me straight :)

OP posts:
DrManhattan · 24/05/2021 23:30

I wouldn't go upstairs in someone's house without asking? Especially if I didn't know them that well (or at all). He is cheeky for not saying thank you. He might have felt really awkward. Anyways glad you are feeling better op. Kids parties are so stressful at the best of times xx

ExhaustedFlamingo · 24/05/2021 23:31

Ah OP, I love people like you.

You've been a bit batshit crazy, like we all get sometimes, everyone has pointed that out and you've just taken it on the chin. Fair play to you. Sounds like you gave your DS a lovely birthday. Cracking job.

Go and hopefully get some sleep Flowers

Staffy1 · 25/05/2021 00:07

Why would you expect a gift of something like wine from the parent of a boy invited to your son's birthday, or a thank you for the party? It sounds like he wanted to spend time with his son and was supervising them while you couldn't. He might have felt uncomfortable staying downstairs while you were breastfeeding while the boys were upstairs.

SkodaKodiaq · 25/05/2021 00:48

Not RTFT just the OP but honestly, I'd have said a form no to him coming in the first place if he wasn't accompanying his child. Also, I'm sorry but I'd have immediately called him down. A man you barely know, upstairs alone with children? I'm not making allegations here, but we live in a world where anyone can be anything (in good ways as well as the bad).

Dodgy as f

WouldBeGood · 25/05/2021 00:51

@ExhaustedFlamingo

Ah OP, I love people like you.

You've been a bit batshit crazy, like we all get sometimes, everyone has pointed that out and you've just taken it on the chin. Fair play to you. Sounds like you gave your DS a lovely birthday. Cracking job.

Go and hopefully get some sleep Flowers

Yes to this. It’s refreshing 😃 And glad you feel better @WoolyMammoth55
ElizabethTudor · 25/05/2021 01:01

@SmidgenofaPigeon

So- the mum of your son’s friends brought the boy to your house for the party- with a card and present presumably?

The dad came after, but didn’t bring a separate card or present (because the boy had already handed these over? Why would your son need two cards from the same family?)

He then went upstairs to supervise the son playing up there? Presumably he didn’t go up on his own to chill out up there.

He hasn’t been in touch to say thanks for...what, exactly?

I think you need to get a grip, honestly.

Yeah, this. I thought you were going to say he’d downed a bottle of red and puked somewhere .... Now, if he’d have done that AND puked over your bed and nightie, then yeah, fair enough!!
NiceGerbil · 25/05/2021 01:02

Why didn't you go up and say sorry the upstairs is off limits for the party can you bring the boys downstairs please.

What he did was out of line but I don't get why you left him to it!

I'm not good at being forthright with dickheads in public. But in my house I wouldn't hesitate.

I mean just make up a shit excuse if you need to!

chickenyhead · 25/05/2021 01:04

I don't actually feel that what he did was ok or noble as some sort of supervisor of children. I think it is creepy, but then again I would have sent my friend up immediately to get them down.

It clearly wasn't your sons room, he crossed reasonable boundaries imho. He is creepy. Yuck.

At least it will be an easy no in future. Trust your instincts.