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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Birthday party etiquette - what did I do wrong?

724 replies

Bananabr3ad · 16/10/2022 13:19

Hi, I'm autistic and I've never really understood birthday parties or gatherings like that for young children. Not that I think they are stupid, more that I don't know what I'm meant to do. I'd really appreciate some clarification because my DD (also autistic) went to her first birthday party yesterday and even though it was a sensory overload, I felt it went okay. But after the party one of the other mums told me some of the things I did weren't appropriate and I don't understand why.

The things that she said was inappropriate:

  1. Not bringing a gift. DD was invited to the party along with the rest of her class. She's just started school and hardly knows the child. We had no idea what to get them and I didn't want to waste money -that is already limited- on a random gift that may end up being thrown away anyway. We brought a card.
  1. Not talking to the other parents. I have no idea how to small talk, if its appropriate to just start talking to people, what I'm meant to say. Nobody tried to start a conversation so I wasn't directly ignoring anybody. I was really anxious and in an overwhelming situation and it was easier for everyone if I kept to myself.
  1. Hovering around DD. I didn't think I was hovering. DD struggles with interacting appropriately so if I saw her starting to become rough with the other children I'd step in and quickly remind her. If I saw she was getting close to lashing out or I thought she was getting overwhelmed I would take her to the side and help her calm down for a minute. In the 2 hours we were there I think I had to do this 4 or 5 times. I felt like she did amazingly considering the situation. I did have to take her to the toilet a couple of times but because she has toileting issues and needs to be taken regularly. I also had to help her with her cup because she hasn't mastered using a cup yet. Otherwise I stayed out of the way. I don't understand why any of that is inappropriate. Maybe because people don't realise she is autistic? I'd rather intervene to try and defuse the situation than let her hurt other children when she gets overwhelmed.
  1. Leaving the room multiple times. I did step out of the room for a moment a few times. Mainly when there was too much going on for me to process. A room full of atleast 30 screaming children and at least the same amount of parents chatting away, lights that buzz, music, balloons popping, bouncy castle motor running. It's a lot. I did my best to manage it and that meant going outside a couple of times. I'd rather that than have a meltdown in front of everybody.
  1. What I was wearing. I'm really not sure what this meant. There wasn't a theme. I wore jeans and a top like the majority of the other parents.

Can anybody explain to me why what I did is wrong and how to correct this in the future? I don't want to stop DD from having these experiences. I guess that means that I have to learn how to behave too.

OP posts:
urbanbuddha · 17/10/2022 05:11

I'm going to get the child a gift and bring it tomorrow at pick up. I hope that this isn't going to be the start of schoolgate bullying and we can just put it all behind us.

That's a good idea.
Have to say the other mum sounds like the bully. Hence the fact that she scarpered when DH came over. I'd stay civil but keep my distance from her as far as possible.

Rosehugger · 17/10/2022 05:16

I've given several mass parties when DD1 and DD2 were 5 or 6 and they get so much stuff, I wouldn't have cared at all if they didn't get gifts off everyone.

londonrach · 17/10/2022 05:36

Yanvvvvu re the present. Of course you bring a present to a party. Re the other bits they don't matter.

ClaryFairchild · 17/10/2022 06:04

Just apologise to the mum of that party girl when you give her the gift and say that you were conscious of making sure your DD played nicely as sometimes she can get overwhelmed in group environments, and add an ironic "poor thing gets that from me! I struggle a bit socially myself. Sorry I wasn't more chatty at the party."

sandytooth · 17/10/2022 06:14

add an ironic "poor thing gets that from me! I struggle a bit socially myself. Sorry I wasn't more chatty at the party." it's not something to apologise for! Don't say sorry for being who you are OP.

Wannakisstheteacher · 17/10/2022 06:16

I really am struggling to believe that anyone raised in the UK could get to adulthood without realising you bring a present to a party.

The other mother was very rude to raise it though.

Rainbowcat99 · 17/10/2022 06:17

ClaryFairchild · 17/10/2022 06:04

Just apologise to the mum of that party girl when you give her the gift and say that you were conscious of making sure your DD played nicely as sometimes she can get overwhelmed in group environments, and add an ironic "poor thing gets that from me! I struggle a bit socially myself. Sorry I wasn't more chatty at the party."

Please don't put yourself down like this to any more parents, this is an awful suggestion!!
I read your update and the woman involved just sounds nasty.
I'd recommend a cool "hello" and walk away from her if she approaches you again. Don't engage with her and don't start apologising for yourself all over the place. You and dd are entitled to be your lovely selves without apologising for it.

ClaryFairchild · 17/10/2022 06:37

@Rainbowcat99
"Please don't put yourself down like this to any more parents, this is an awful suggestion!!
I read your update and the woman involved just sounds nasty.
I'd recommend a cool "hello" and walk away from her if she approaches you again. Don't engage with her and don't start apologising for yourself all over the place. You and dd are entitled to be your lovely selves without apologising for it."

Her DD is 4, she has a LOT of school years ahead of her to navigate. It would be helpful if the other mums understood that she isn't being purposefully rude but that the large groups can be a bit overwhelming. It can make such a big difference to future interactions!

Rainbowcat99 · 17/10/2022 06:43

Absolutely nothing wrong with op opening up to others about her struggles when she feels comfortable to do so. Advising op to start apologising for autism however is an awful suggestion. Why do people need to feel obliged to apologise for who they are?

TolkiensFallow · 17/10/2022 07:13

This other woman is awful. She bullied you.

nicknamehelp · 17/10/2022 07:18

If you don't know child who's party it is some craft activity is my go to.

As for the rest she's in the wrong not knowing you and giving you such advice.

CatsTheWayToDoIt · 17/10/2022 07:23

The only thing I think was wrong here was the lack of a present. You don’t need to worry about whether they like or dislike it because most parents will save some of the gifts for regifting at other parties anyway!
she sounds unhinged - it’s absolutely unheard of for a parent to give another parent such detailed feedback. I’d ignore.

Ninjajay · 17/10/2022 07:32

I think it's ridiculous to expect a gift tbh. Nobody throws a kids party to have their child lavished in gifts. It's supposed to be a fun occasion to share with friends. Kids get more than enough. Whoever this person is who
Said this to you is an arsehole.

GoldenHue · 17/10/2022 07:37

I think it was rude of the parent to come up to you telling you what you did wrong! I also think it was rude that you were informed that it wasn’t the done thing not to bring a present!

I’ve always taken a present to a party BUT I’ve also held parties and there’s no way I would have the brass neck to tell another parent they should have bought a present! There could be any number of reasons why!

GoldenHue · 17/10/2022 07:40

A well meaning card would have been just as appreciated than some cheap plastic tat that would probably break within minutes! Not saying that all birthday presents are given like this at birthday parties but in my experience, many are!

cosmiccosmos · 17/10/2022 07:43

I'm going against the grain here. Whilst it is 'normal' to take a gift, a card should suffice esp in this colc crisis. A child receiving 30 gifts from a whole class party imo is obscene, esp given that I expect many were plastic tat. How did this mother know there wasn't a gift - the card could have contained a fiver or book token. What a cow.

The person who spoke to you sounds a right busy body, bloody school gate mums, so glad I'm away from all this now.

You sound lovely btw.

Changechangychange · 17/10/2022 07:46

She approached at the playground, started by saying that she didn't expect to see me and DD at the party as we didn't seem the type. That it was sweet that we came but that I should make sure to put some effort in next time

The only appropriate response to this is “go fuck yourself”. Seriously who the fuck does she think she is? This was a really aggressive, nasty approach from the very beginning - she isn’t being helpful, she is being actively nasty. It wasn’t even her party, so it is absolutely not her place to be critiquing your behaviour.

I’m sure the party mum would be horrified to hear she’d said all that. Certainly if anyone had approached any of my party guests to tell them they essentially shouldn’t have come, it would be the massive bitch I’d be cutting out of my life and not the socially awkward one.

This bitch didn’t say any of this at the party, in public. She waiting until she had you on your own, and then told you that she didn’t like you being invited and didn’t think you should have attended. This is what adult bullying looks like. Fuck her.

BalmyBalmes · 17/10/2022 07:54

Gosh that other woman is very unaware of how to behave! You didn't ask for her feedback. She was unkind and gave you a completely unnecessary telling off. Who does she think she is?

And how does she know your DD didn't bring a gift? Could easily have been a gift card.
Carry on as you were OP but maybe take s small gift next time. You haven't done anything wrong.

If you do want to make small talk then a good conversation opener at this stage is just to ask how their DC is setting in at school?

gogohmm · 17/10/2022 07:59

No gift? You just take a book, sweets, craft things or similar, failing that £5 in a card.

I'm guessing there was more to it than your opening op- you say you are autistic, but that's not an excuse to be rude, have you had support to learn social "rules" as a child? I have an adult 23 year old dd and she is very aware of her own short comings (as you mentioned yourself) so has stock phrases and opening lines for just such occasions (which she hates but knows she has to deal with). You say no one spoke to you yet this lady gave you a long list of your shortfalls? Had she tried to talk to you first?

Dd had aba therapy and then social skills classes in childhood to help her deal with this world she inhabits, I do recommend seeking help, even one session, to build confidence with small talk.

The clothing things seems odd, also stepping outside? Seems normal to me but I'm wondering if you were stepping in to help your child in a way that was disturbing other children?

Mostly this other parent seems the odd one and quite rude! But I do emphasise you can help yourself to not appear offish by using techniques like practiced opening phrases eg weather, politics is a good one currently, anything that's universal really. Keeping to yourself can appear rude to others unfortunately. Wearing headphones is another thing that others may be offended by

LookItsMeAgain · 17/10/2022 08:16

This other woman sounds awful.
Where does she get off saying that someone is "not the type" to attend a party???? What is 'the type' I wonder? A bitch like her???

I've changed my advice @Bananabr3ad - give this woman and her clique a very wide berth and stay well clear of her and her delightful (I'm sure) children.

What a witch! It is the season for them though 😆🎃Halloween Envy

ToGanymedeAndTitan · 17/10/2022 08:16

But I do emphasise you can help yourself to not appear offish by using techniques like practiced opening phrases eg weather, politics is a good one currently, anything that's universal really
Oh yeah, start chatting politics at a kids party, that'll really help make friends and a great atmosphere lol

MintJulia · 17/10/2022 08:24

OP,

On the small talk stuff. I'm ND and I've had this problem so I have a strategy.

I take along some paperwork that is urgent. Find a quiet corner on the edge of the crowd and do your paperwork. Sociable polite people will ask what you're doing, and you can say a) you've got behind and taking advantage of the few spare minutes to clear it, or b) if they seem really interested and not just being polite, explain that you're autistic and the paperwork helps you deal with sensory overload.

You only have to tell one or two people, word gets around and you'll either get understanding of dealing with life admin, or understanding of NDiversity and it eases the issue.

MumoftwoGranofone · 17/10/2022 09:06

The other mum sounds awful. Playground politics are a minefield. Take care x

Gremlinsateit · 17/10/2022 09:35

OP, the criticising mother was staggeringly rude. Yes, it’s the social norm to bring a present, but it is also bad manners to comment on not receiving a present, so the mother of the birthday child has also broken a social rule if she complained to the criticising mother.

The other criticisms are extremely ill-mannered. She sounds like someone who gets a feeling of power from putting others down. I suggest trying to steer well clear of her at the school gate, as usually nothing good comes of trying to be polite or friendly to someone like this.

Linya883 · 17/10/2022 09:37

OP you sound lovely - you came to ask for constructive feedback, took it on board and are going to use the advice going forward. What more do people expect? It's nice to see so many replies that are supportive but sad that there's quite a few people who "can't understand" how OP has gotten to adulthood without having the exact same experiences they have.

OP does know that gift giving is a "thing" at parties but explained that she thought it was specifically about getting something nice that they liked and therefore did not understand that it is the social norm to get gifts for people who are essentially strangers. Why is that so hard to understand? From the sounds of it, OP didn't go to many parties as a child due to social issues and presumably as an adult she only attends events of those she is very close to and therefore would buy a gift for anyway.

In fact, does anyone regularly end up at strangers' parties as an adult? This seems like a primary school thing, where everyone gets invited. As you get older, parties get smaller and if you end up being invited to someone's party, you probably know them at least reasonably well. How would OP be expected to know the etiquette for "parties-where-you-know-nothing-about-the-person-but-their-name?"

ND people don't see things the same way as NT people and so don't always pick up on unspoken social rules or understand how social rules in one situation are generalised to others in the same way.

My DH and I are both ND. I can easily see my DH not knowing to bring a gift. I would have known to bring a gift but I would potentially have struggled socially while actually at the party. And for the record, we didn't elope to get married but we still had a small wedding with only immediate family. Not everyone has a big wedding and those who struggle with sensory and social issues may be even less likely to.

The woman who said all of this to OP is a horrible bully but I'm not surprised. There is a joke that school bullies should be used to help diagnose autism because they can basically sniff it out. And in my experience, not only is it true but it doesn't stop with children. Adults are generally much nicer but there are still some adults, like the one here, who are downright nasty bullies to ND people. Imagine saying all of that to someone, unprompted and then scoffing and adding that OP doesn't even know how to dress appropriately? It's like something from a teen high-school film, but unfortunately I do believe it's happened based on my own experience of people like this.

My advice to OP is to try to remain reasonably civil yet distanced from these horrible mums and try to figure out if there's some nicer mums in the class who you could invite to play with your DD? Yes, you are going to have to be around these mums for several more years, but I don't think twisting yourself into knots trying to be friends with bullies is necessary. There's strength in numbers and if you can find a few parents and kids who you and your DD can get along with then it will make things much easier.