Family plans

[Qweryy123]

just wanted an outsiders opinion on…

There was a plan to book a children’s event for the half term. I was told about the event, where to buy tickets and what day, time people were planning to go. Myself and another member of the family both bought tickets for our own household’s individually, no one else got tickets in time, and the event sold out.

This caused a family issue with the people who didn’t get tickets saying one of us should have booked everyone’s and then get the money back. For some context there are 17 children and 9 parents that would have been coming, not including the aunt and uncle that might have come and the two grandparents so all in all there was the possibility of block booking 30 tickets at £5 each (£150), if that was possible. then chasing for the money which is nearly always a chore from previous experience.

There hasn’t been any more mention of anything to me about this, or any other family events for the half term. Now I have been told there was a plan for a Diwali event that I wasn’t told about, and the family are planning on taking all the children to a family fair on Friday but myself and our children haven’t been invited specifically because I am going to the event that caused the issue on Saturday.

Of course I will be taking the kids to the Saturday event and also the fair on Sunday as Friday is fully booked, so all in all they are not missing out but they are missing out specifically on family time, which is what I am disappointed with.

So basically AIBU for not booking tickets for everyone/feeling bothered the kids are missing out on family time with in-laws/basically thinking the in laws are being mean?!

Why didn't the people who are complaining talk about booking tickets for everyone at the start...?

They are totally unreasonable. You've done nothing wrong. Have a good time without them.

oh that's a pain. Do you have an event from the past where the one who booked had trouble getting the money back? I'd just reference that and ask the complainers to book the next family event and you'll transfer your part over.

'Yeah, that's a good idea actually, I didn't think about it at the time! Next time it'd be great if you can book it for everyone and we'll transfer the money over. Much easier that way I agree!'

You’re not being unreasonable
Basically, they were lazy or forgot to buy tickets and are disappointed the event was sold out. Instead of taking blame and thinking “damn, I should of booked that!” - it is far easier for them to place the blame on you. Without knowing you or your family I am pretty confident this is the case.

As above comment says, there was no discussion in advance for one person to buy tickets and to get the money from everyone (also totally agree with your point, it’s so infuriating getting money out of people and a ball ache)

I would just enjoy your events you have planned and ignore their childish behaviour for now

Thanks for your responses everyone, think I needed a bit of a massage as an only child coming into the dynamic of a family with a lot of siblings it can be quite difficult to navigate sometimes!

Myself and the other person who got tickets have been asked in the past to block book for everyone, and we have nearly always lost out through people not paying up. The most recent was the family holiday in the summer that nearly everyone dropped out of and we went on to foot the bill for a holiday home that slept 40 and only had 20 of us in! Luckily it was an amazing time and we have booked to go back again!

once again, thank you everyone, and I will definitely be taking our brood to enjoy the fun and I hope they all enjoy their plans too!