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AIBU?

Would you prioritise your grandchild's birthday?

633 replies

BrocoliTrees · 21/09/2022 07:51

Would you choose going to a friend's wedding (not close friends) over your grandchild's 6th birthday party? Even if the wedding invite came first, knowing the date of your grandchild's birthday, would you check to see what would be happening for their birthday? Being a Saturday too.

Bit more context... what if you would also be moving to another part of the country from said grandchild the following week.

Interested to know opinions.

OP posts:
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Kinderbuenos · 21/09/2022 08:03

BrocoliTrees · 21/09/2022 08:00

@The2Omicronnies this is exactly the situation. My parents want to be part of their grandchild's birthday. With my inlaws, it's sad that their grandchildren aren't a priority. Not just this, lots of other things too.

I think you are being completely ridiculous. Your parents may be overly invested in your DC but it sounds like your in laws have a healthier approach

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Mosaic123 · 21/09/2022 08:03

Grandchild's birthday would be my priority.

I wouldn't want to be a long way from my grandchild if I didn't have to be.

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scrufffy · 21/09/2022 08:03

I'd go to the wedding and see you another day.

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Sciurus83 · 21/09/2022 08:03

The wedding obviously. A 6 year old can see their grandparents in the morning, the following day, do something special another day. You obviously have a problem with them, but this isn't the hill to die on.

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Bobshhh · 21/09/2022 08:03

I've made it to 35 never having spent a birthday with grandparents and it hasn't done me any harm!

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girlmom21 · 21/09/2022 08:03

I'd prioritise the wedding. I'd also never expect someone to stay put so that they're close to my child.

What if they were to stay put and you moved away in 5 or 10 years? Would you expect them to move too?

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Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim · 21/09/2022 08:04

BrocoliTrees · 21/09/2022 08:00

@The2Omicronnies this is exactly the situation. My parents want to be part of their grandchild's birthday. With my inlaws, it's sad that their grandchildren aren't a priority. Not just this, lots of other things too.

Why sad? I don't see why your children would be their priority.

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ClocksGoingBackwards · 21/09/2022 08:04

What sort of a child’s birthday party? A six year old won’t usually be interested in their grandparent at their birthday party with all their friends there and there’s no reason the grandparent can’t still see the child and wish them a happy birthday.

The fact that they’re moving is irrelevant.

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Justcallmebebes · 21/09/2022 08:05

At 6, I'd prioritise wedding but then I'm v involved in my grandkids lives and hell would freeze before I'd move 5 hours away

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holidaynightmare · 21/09/2022 08:05

EbbyEbs · 21/09/2022 07:56

No, my grandchild would always come first

I agree
My mum is no longer with us after a terminal cancer diagnosis it hurts me she isn't at my kids birthdays
Make the most of it while they are little too and want grandparents there

I guess it all depends on the relationship you have with them tho if your a "only meet once or twice a year" family then it's a different ballgame

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Sirzy · 21/09/2022 08:06

Most kids couldn’t care if their grandparents are at the party they just want the time with the friends

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NormalNans · 21/09/2022 08:07

NerrSnerr · 21/09/2022 08:02

Ok you have a baby too. How many years are you expecting them to put a hold on their lives for you? Would they be allowed to move in 10 years? 20? Never?

Exactly this. Honestly the mindset of some people confuses me. Someone up thread has used the term ‘it happened to us’, nothing ‘happened’ to you. Someone moved because it was the best thing for them, it’s not a thing that ‘happened’ to anyone.

I don’t understand this need to make everything revolve around the grandchildren.

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BrocoliTrees · 21/09/2022 08:07

Mosaic123 · 21/09/2022 08:03

Grandchild's birthday would be my priority.

I wouldn't want to be a long way from my grandchild if I didn't have to be.

@Mosaic123 my parents feel the same as you. I find it sad that so many grandparents don't feel this way too.

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luxxlisbon · 21/09/2022 08:07

You are being completely ridiculous. The wedding invite came first, you made up birthday party plans. Why would they rsvp no to a wedding in the mild hope they get invited to a 6 year olds birthday party that May it may not happen?
Its funny seeing the other side of “they don’t care/ they make no effort” and then you realise actually no, the person just has insane expectations.

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NormalNans · 21/09/2022 08:09

BrocoliTrees · 21/09/2022 08:07

@Mosaic123 my parents feel the same as you. I find it sad that so many grandparents don't feel this way too.

Why? Aren’t they allowed their own lives? Do they have to revolve around your offspring? I think that’s far more sad

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Dragonskin · 21/09/2022 08:09

No I wouldn't, at 6 they are more interested in their friends being there than granny. I would go to the wedding

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toomuchlaundry · 21/09/2022 08:10

Why are they moving?

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Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim · 21/09/2022 08:10

BrocoliTrees · 21/09/2022 08:07

@Mosaic123 my parents feel the same as you. I find it sad that so many grandparents don't feel this way too.

Why?! They have raised their children. Now it's their time not to be tied down.

You can have an incredible relationship with GC without being entwind.
Maybe they want some distance from you and find you overbearing

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InsertPunHere · 21/09/2022 08:10

Obviously the wedding is more important, it’s a major life event.

I would drop the card and gift over ahead of time so the grandchild could open it on the birthday itself.

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Hmmmwhatnametochoose · 21/09/2022 08:11

I dislike weddings so would be pleased to have an excuse not to go.

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Shoxfordian · 21/09/2022 08:12

I’d go to the event I was invited to first

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diddl · 21/09/2022 08:13

If I had an invitation for a wedding that I wanted to go to it wouldn't occur to me to turn it down for my 6yrs old GCs bday party.

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wherearebeefandonioncrisps · 21/09/2022 08:14

Wedding

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Quitelikeacatslife · 21/09/2022 08:14

Really OP you and your family need to calm down a bit. A 6 year old will be running round with their friends, you don't need the whole extended family looking on adoringly.
Arrange to see them the next day, they probably think their grandchild will appreciate that more than all at once.
You can't put kids on this gigantic pedestal it is exhausting and not healthy.

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BrocoliTrees · 21/09/2022 08:14

ClocksGoingBackwards · 21/09/2022 08:04

What sort of a child’s birthday party? A six year old won’t usually be interested in their grandparent at their birthday party with all their friends there and there’s no reason the grandparent can’t still see the child and wish them a happy birthday.

The fact that they’re moving is irrelevant.

@ClocksGoingBackwards it's at home. There will be a mixture of friends and family there.

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