..to feel a bit resentful and unloved

[zippitippitoes]

..I had my fiftieth birthday this year and I got one present

from my ds who is 19

nothing from my dd2 and her dp who are 22

nothing from my dd1 and her bf who are 23 and 27

nothing from my then dp who dumped me the following month but for my birthday lket me choose a bracelet for 260.00 a troll bracelet that he could add a bead to on future birthdays and christmases which he knew he never would and whihc he let me pay for on my own credit card

so i got nothing from my brothers or my sister either

and a mug sayin fifty from dps mother i forgot that i have since left it on exdps doorstep

i believe you can sell wiis for ridiculous amounts on ebay (evil chuckle).

sorry you are having such a crap time but i think you should let folk know how you are feeling or else it will just continue like this.

You have to tell them how upset you are! It's seriously cr*p behaviour.

You poor thing. What a horrible thing for your kids to do.

My mum is 50 in a couple of years and my brother and I wouldn't dream of not getting her anything. Brother and I always scheme a couple of months before her birthday and Christmas to make sure we get something that she would really like. It doesn't have to be of great monetary value (I have been skint in the past, and brother is a student at the moment) but you do need something with a bit of thought behind it. You're their mother for crying out loud, how can they be so cavalier about things.

I think though that you may need to help yourself a little bit with this one (tries to say this as delicately as possible {smile} ). Me and brother love our mum very much, but one reason that we would definitely not forget to treat her well is that we wouldn't dare to. We know that she expects to be treated with a certain amount of respect; we would not get away with taking the p*. She is a very kind, loving and caring mum, who would do anything for us, but we know that we need to treat her with care and consideration in return.

Think you need to have a few sharp words with your kids in the style of Shirley Valentine

My DB's 50 on the 22nd and I have now decided, after reading this, that I am going to book various flights and sod the cost and be there as a surprise for him.

My mum had the same recently, her 70th and my Dad didn't even get her a card

Oh Zippi

Beewisemen's advice is spot-on. So sorry you had a rubbish birthday and time since.

Yes, it is time to lay down some new ground-rules with your DCs. It is too easy to take people we love for granted. But, it is not too late to celebrate, you are still in your 50th year, work out how you'd like to do this and then, explain it to your DCs and what you'd like them to do.

I had a lousy 40th, my ex- got it so wrong, after asking me what I wanted , too and then, just ignoring everything I'd said. I went away for a weekend, two months later, with another 40er and that is how I remember turning 40. It was great. Book something special, choose someone to share it and ENJOY.

My mum isn't alive anymore and I really wish that she was here so i could spoil her. birthdays and christmas' are the time we let people know we appreciate them if we don't let them know this all year round. I can understand you being upset. poor you. even a cuddle and a cake would make you smile. Your 50th as well! treat yourself to something x

Zippi, that's awful, they're all taking you so much for granted except your sweetheart DS, bless him! I didn't think you were 50! You come across as so cool and trendy! I really thought you was in your early 30s or something!