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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:
ddl1 · 25/05/2021 17:51

Mmm. I think you should have called the kids down to start with, as you'd already said 'no going upstairs'. I think he probably thought they were allowed up there and but thought they needed his supervision. I myself hate it if people nose around in my bedroom, but I would shut the door to prevent it; and I doubt that he went upstairs in order to nose around. Not bringing a gift or card? I assume the kid's mum had dealt with that so he felt he didn't have to. Not saying thank you? Well, a bit impolite, but not the crime of the century.

tommyhoundmum · 25/05/2021 17:53

Just let it go. Really not worth angsting about

Mamamia344 · 25/05/2021 17:55

If it's the first time at someones house and the kids run upstairs, I go up to make sure it's safe. I wouldn't care what they think and I certainly wouldn't be looking to see how untidy it was. I'd just go to make sure there weren't any windows left wide open or medications laying about. I understand you feeling embarrassed about the mess but most people don't care.

PaperbackRider · 25/05/2021 17:56

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

One who drinks other peoples wine at said party?

BigHeadBertha · 25/05/2021 18:06

So, this guy put you on the spot to invite him at the last minute. Then he hung out alone with the kids in a private area of your home. And he didn't give the usual thank you as he was leaving.

To me, it does add up to someone who seems socially clueless. I can see this especially annoying you when you already had so much to deal with at the time and he wasn't even on the guest list. While his behavior may not be any big deal to some people, you don't like it. I think that's reason enough to consider how to deal with him from now on.

I wouldn't say anything to him. It's over and done with. Also, he could be expected to just respond with something, well, socially clueless. I could see that just making the issue larger for no real benefit.

I'd just be ready for him next time and not let him into your home anymore. I think that should be pretty easy to manage, with a little forethought and planning with your husband.

MisdemeanourOnTheFloor · 25/05/2021 18:10

If it helps, when I was breastfeeding I absolutely lost it because my fil was stood over me watching me change a nappy and I felt so judged in that moment. Caused a big ruckus that did! But my hormones, and the sensation that I was somehow inadequate... I think your protective/lioness/get out of my cave instincts are in overdrive. I never did apologise either - I (totally unreasonably) expect everyone to be mind-readers and know that you don't upset a hormonal postnatal lady!!!!

Mumofthreeteenagers · 25/05/2021 18:17

I hope there was no ulterior motives to be alone upstairs with young children. I dont know this person so i cant tell that but you dont know do you? Maybe ask your son EXACTLY what they were doing and what that man was doing. And who suggested using your room. Just to be sure. In my opinion, you were not unreasonable to be annoyed or concerned.

Devlesko · 25/05/2021 18:20

No harm done, just learn to say no, when you mean no.
Maybe assertive coaching?

bigmumsymcgraw · 25/05/2021 18:22

I would have felt the same as you. Would just put this down to experience and be ready next time.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 25/05/2021 18:28

I was raised by wolves.

I have better manners than that.

No-one arrives at a party empty-handed.

Everybody's house looks like a midden on occasion.

Nobody goes upstairs - or even into a room they aren't invited into - in someone else's house.

NOBODY pokes around in someone else's BEDROOM!

He is an ill-mannered tw*t. Don't let him in again and warn other people what he's like.

niugboo · 25/05/2021 18:31

YABU if only for the reason that there’s no way that party met covid rules.

Toomuchtrouble4me · 25/05/2021 18:31

Presumably the son bought a gift? That’s enough. He probably just wanted a chance to hang out with his child - was the party on ‘his’ day for having his son?
I don’t think he did anything wrong, it’s not his fault you left it messy, I doubt he cared anyway.

BrilliantBetty · 25/05/2021 18:34

I hate adults going upstairs in my house. Tidy or not tidy. I feel it's intensive.

Especially if they don't come down after a couple of mins of 'checking' on the kids.

So YANBU to think that was weird...

Wouldn't have thought about the gift/ card / wine thing though. That's not U.

thepeopleversuswork · 25/05/2021 18:44

He sounds as if he has no manners or empathy and I can understand why he and the boy's mum aren't together.

I couldn't get overly upset about it though.

butterry · 25/05/2021 18:46

It's strange he wanted to attend the party with his ex there and it is pretty rude to go upstairs in someone's house and I have always taught my children this, to only go to a friend's bedroom if their parent has given permission and under no circumstances go into parents bedroom as it's private. This guy is an idiot, I presume there are many good reasons he is the ex now. It's done now, don't waste your time going over it in your head and avoid any other contact with this man.

gottakeeponmovin · 25/05/2021 18:50

If I go to a birthday party with one of my children the child brings a present - I don't. Not sure why you would expect a present. I do think it's weird he went upstairs though but I also think you need to chill out

Bertiebiscuit · 25/05/2021 18:55

He sounds a bit cheeky - I would not want him in my house for sure - make sure he's never allowed in again

cupoftea2021 · 25/05/2021 18:56

Did the dad go up stairs to avoid being around the party or people perhaps
Or they were just busy doing there own thing for awhile.
Gosh easily distracted and who cares about a mess when your a parent.
Don't be to proud of the kid had a nice party.
Don't be a control freak.

cupoftea2021 · 25/05/2021 18:57

@NeverDropYourMoonCup

Have you checked your jewellery box or other valuables up there since?
😂
TheKeatingFive · 25/05/2021 19:00

No-one arrives at a party empty-handed.

Presumably the child brought a present. It would have been very strange if he had brought another one.

MagicSummer · 25/05/2021 19:09

Make sure your house is tidy and clean before anybody visits. Doesn't take a minute to make your bed and put your nightclothes away.

Killahangilion · 25/05/2021 19:11

I don’t think Y were U at all. Although, your biggest mistake was letting a man get the better of you.

Firstly, he puts pressure on you to invite him when you were keeping indoor numbers low for obvious reasons. So I think you need to stop being a ‘people pleaser’ and learn how to say ‘No’ without adding unnecessary excuses and mean it.

I also wouldn’t be happy about any man, (or woman) going upstairs into my bedroom uninvited by me. I think it’s extremely rude and intrusive. Although, I’d have definitely fetched him down and made my feelings about his mooching about upstairs crystal clear.

The lack of gift and bottle of booze wouldn’t actually bother me at all.

HangingOver · 25/05/2021 19:13

raised by wolves

Have the MN exaggeration trophy of the day Grin

Pinkylemons · 25/05/2021 19:13

Why on Earth would he go in your bedroom? That’s weird and incredibly rude.

quizqueen · 25/05/2021 19:25

With covid, you had the ideal excuse to state 'one parent per child' if the event was going to be indoors so more fool you for letting him come in the first place. However, it's the height of rudeness to go upstairs in a stranger's house without being invited and I would have told him that to his face, but your child knew he was supposed to stay downstairs so you need to speak to him about following the rules too. Five is not too young to understand that.