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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:
EmeraldShamrock · 25/05/2021 01:11

I agree he sounds cheeky inviting himself, going upstairs, not saying thank you, the gift not so much.
I'd never do it unless there was only one loo.
I don't like DS's friends upstairs either, I didn't mind with DD her pals were trustworthy but not parents.

CellyBee · 25/05/2021 01:30

This reply has been deleted

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ThumbWitchesAbroad · 25/05/2021 02:10

I understand your feelings, @WoolyMammoth55 but as others have said, I think he wasn't THE most rude guest ever.

I would have been really upset if some random bloke I didn't know or much like had been in my bedroom too, regardless of whether it was with the 5yos or not (Yes he's the other boy's father but so what? Doesn't make him a saint!) - and actually, regardless of how tidy it was - it's your personal space, he shouldn't have done it.

People who think they have the right to wander all over your house poking their nose into rooms that aren't for public access are mannerless at the best of times - but he compounded it by inviting himself over.

Re. him not bringing anything - well it would have been nice and polite but many, many blokes don't even think about such social niceties! So YAB a bit U to have expected that he would.

Seems he's pretty mannerless all round though, since he didn't even say thanks for the party!

At least you know that next time your answer will be a straight No if he tries to invite himself again!

1forAll74 · 25/05/2021 02:35

It's not too bad of an issue really. Your Son having a nice birthday is the main thing. Stay calm !!

me4real · 25/05/2021 02:35

YANBU, I think most people would bring the kids down.

And his inviting himself knowing his ex would be there I would see as potentially an attempt to be in his ex's company more than she'd planned (even if the split was supposedly amicable.)

user1477391263 · 25/05/2021 03:01

Expecting separate cards and gifts from each parent even though it's the same child makes you look quite grabby.

The other stuff though, YANBU.

Nonameslob · 25/05/2021 03:48

@CellyBee well aren't you lovely 🙄

Cissyandflora · 25/05/2021 04:00

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Quotes deleted post

Dannyandsandy · 25/05/2021 04:38

Everything going on in the world... and you’re fretting over this? Get a grip

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 25/05/2021 06:42

Really weird that he invited himself to a child's birthday party, when the child's mother was already there, even weirder that he went up the stairs with the children and stayed up there for ages.
Can't believe so many people on here think its normal to invite yourself to their child's party and then take yourself up the stairs. A lot of rude people on MN.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 25/05/2021 06:43

@Dannyandsandy

Everything going on in the world... and you’re fretting over this? Get a grip
How original. Why don't you go post that on 80% of the threads on here.
Morgan12 · 25/05/2021 06:52

He seen your nightie?

Oh my lord. Who will play you in the movie?

MoiraNotRuby · 25/05/2021 06:53

He sounds pushy, rude and unaware. Someone that asks outright if they can come to something they're not invited to probably won't notice how tidy your bedroom, and I wouldn't care about their opinion anyway.

I think a lot of us do need to relearn how to socialise after such a wierd year. But going upstairs in someone else's house has always been very bad manners.

For future if you find it hard to say a direct no, 'not this time but let's see if we can sort something in future' is a handy instant response.

Bluntness100 · 25/05/2021 07:00

So two five year olds were upstairs unsupervised so he went and supervised them as you were breastfeeding and just left them to it? And you’re pissed he didn’t buy you wine?

HettySunshine · 25/05/2021 07:29

@Morgan12

He seen your nightie?

Oh my lord. Who will play you in the movie?

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
NewMatress · 25/05/2021 07:33

If the children were upstairs unsupervised and no one had told them to come down, no one had told me they shouldn't be and the host was stuck in the sofa breast feeding, I'd have probably gone up to supervise too, believing I was being helpful and more polite than complaining host was allowing unsupervised 5yos.

If it were my party, I would have asked someone to bring them down, but as you didn't, I think he behaved well.

Bluntness100 · 25/05/2021 07:36

Yes that’s what I think. You can’t leave two five year olds unsupervised upstairs for any length of time like that. He did everyone a favour going and supervising. I can’t understand why everyone just let them go and no one else bothered their arses.

Tiramiwho · 25/05/2021 09:28

Sorry, but free-flowing booze at a kiddie's birthday party? Is this a thing these days?Confused So everyone took a Taxi or safely walked home their young children afterwards? Particularly the Dad in question - you said he drank a lotShock

NewMatress · 25/05/2021 09:37

I like a drink and so do my friends but I've never been to a child's party during the day where there was any expectation that anyone would drink.

Chamomileteaplease · 25/05/2021 09:40

I am glad you have got a few more YANBU votes now!

You were wrong to let him come. Hopefully you will never fall for that one again Smile lesson learnt.

You were wrong to not get someone to bring the man and the boys down straightaway. Again, next time I am sure you will.

But I think it is fair enough to feel grossed out that this strange man who you dont' like was in your bedroom. That is private and most people would know that. He was out of order.

And that's without just wondering why he was upstairs alone with the children. Better to be on the safe side Sad.

Bluntness100 · 25/05/2021 09:47

I don’t think she was wrong to let him come. He was the only one mature enough to go and look after the kids who were left alone upstairs. And most folks wouldn’t think to bring booze to a young child’s birthday party. I can’t think of any five year olds party I’ve turned up with booze in my hand.

Arguably he should have brought them downstairs, but maybe he was keeping them in some peace and quiet upstairs, as no one seemed to notice or care enough that the kids had scarpered, and were alone upstairs other than him.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 25/05/2021 10:01

But I think it is fair enough to feel grossed out that this strange man who you dont' like was in your bedroom

He wasn't in her bedroom. He may - gasp -have walked past her bedroom door.

TidyDancer · 25/05/2021 10:03

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow think you need to read it again....he was in the bedroom.

OP is overreacting about some of this, but not about the bedroom bit.

melj1213 · 25/05/2021 10:04

I've never been to a child's party during the day where there was any expectation that anyone would drink.

Same - I've been at family bbqs etc where people have had a couple of beers/glasses of wine but it was always as part of the meal. People might continue drinking later into the evening but usually either the parents will have taken their children home; one or two of the older kids will be tasked with supervising the little ones playing together or the host will have set up a film/activity for the kids and in some cases have agreed for the little ones to have a sleepover so they would just be put to bed.

But I have never had a 5 yo's birthday party be a drinking occasion

AhaShakeHeartbreak12 · 25/05/2021 10:06

This is the most ridiculous thread ever. So OTT

Swipe left for the next trending thread