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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think family party will be a disaster?

114 replies

Mummyongin · 31/10/2022 06:55

Ok, so maybe disaster is a bit dramatic but I’m worried that my mum is mostly planning it and she hasn’t got a grip. Do I need to intervene?

My mum and her sister are hosting a joint 70th birthday party in January. It will be first family celebration for years, with relatives coming from all over the country and loads of kids aged 0-14.

So far they have a hall hired. They have no food, no entertainment, no invites have gone out. They have no plan for how to entertain the kids. They are worried about the impact of loud music on those hard of hearing. They are both quite introverted individuals but the rest of the family is not and I’m seriously worried! Should I be?

OP posts:
Mummyongin · 31/10/2022 13:09

WinterDeWinter · 31/10/2022 12:45

OP, I understand why you are worried and also why you are in your third round of therapy. An autistic person organising a big party - or parenting a child - will meet challenges that others don't. I think you sound great and I hope you are able to look after yourself through all this, even if it all goes tits up as you fear.

Just wanted to say thank you for such a validating reply. It’s surprising how much stress can be created by strangers saying that my feelings are unfounded and all my problem.

OP posts:
Ocampa · 31/10/2022 13:41

Regarding entertainment for the kids... you could just put some comic books, legoes and board games in the back of your car. If you do see the kids getting bored at the party you can get it out within a minute.

DilemmaDelilah · 31/10/2022 13:49

If I was your mum - or your aunt - I would be extremely offended at you trying to take over MY party and you arranging things the way YOU want them done! I'm not 70 yet but I am autistic and I'm not very good at parties, so being able to arrange a party the way I want is very important to me. I would HATE 'entertainment' and the party is about ME (and my sister) and not about the children so I definitely wouldn't be getting in a bouncy castle or anything like that. If it was my party I would probably provide a few quiet toys and some puzzles/colouring books for the children in the side room. I would probably appreciate some help with food and decorations etc., later on, when I have had time to think about it, but along the lines of somebody asking what I would like them to do/make/bring. I don't like too much noise so I wouldn't want music, as such. My party would be a way of getting everyone together and chatting, seeing people I haven't seen for years, not entertainment for the whole family. It's probably not your kind of thing at all OP, but it would be MY party so I don't care!

MaggieFS · 31/10/2022 14:00

I would agree with your list from 11.03. Having organised a similar family event in the summer, I wouldn't underestimate how much 'stuff' is needed. We had to take everything from bin bags to table cloths, to hand towels. The list was long! Perhaps once plans develop further you could be given some specific tasks to take on, without interfering. IME, the least stress comes when people know what they are doing and there's no overlap!

If there's budget, then a caterer would make food things very easy. As the client, you dictate the terms, so you can specify e.g, they need to provide all plates, cutlery, glasses and so on, and clear up the kitchen/ take it all away again.

1FootInTheRave · 31/10/2022 14:38

Delilah, you've made it very clear your party os about YOU.

However, you should give some thoughts to the comfort of your guests.

2bazookas · 31/10/2022 15:02

You're overthinking this , calm down and step back.

They've got two months to organise every thing; and 70 years experience .

WinterDeWinter · 31/10/2022 17:58

Mummyongin · 31/10/2022 13:09

Just wanted to say thank you for such a validating reply. It’s surprising how much stress can be created by strangers saying that my feelings are unfounded and all my problem.

I really mean it OP. I've never known MN like this - so beady-eyed and brutal - in the 20-odd years I've been personally and professionally connected with it.

WinterDeWinter · 31/10/2022 19:16

I meant to add, before the MN rant : I think you will have had so much to deal with as a child and young person, and you're allowed to say as much, and that you're doing brilliantly as an adult.

WinterDeWinter · 31/10/2022 20:03

But it's also ok to not do brilliantly, and not be ok.

Mummyongin · 31/10/2022 20:46

@WinterDeWinter wow thank you for taking the time to post this. My therapist told me today that she perceives my mum has “used” me for her own emotional needs my entire life. Alongside your comments I have never felt so much validation in one day! I’m a bit overwhelmed tbh!

OP posts:
Beancounter1 · 31/10/2022 21:37

If I were in your shoes, I would do the following:

Assume word will get round all the family who need to know - there is no need for proper 'invitations', and the guest list is not your problem.

Assume nothing will be booked in the way of catering, music, or entertainers - if something does get booked, fine, but it is not an issue.

Assume food will be platters got from a supermarket, so a couple of days before the date offer to go and collect anything that needs collecting, and also ask how many people are coming - this conversation at the time will give you a clue if the food arrangements are inadequate with a day or two spare to help do emergency shopping if necessary.

Two or three weeks before the date, offer to make/buy a cake as your gift to them - this conversation will let you know if they already have this planned.

Assume they won't want loud music, but if they don't mention it, then a day or two before the date offer to bring a speaker for some 'quiet background music to give a nice atmosphere' - spend some time over the next few weeks putting together a long playlist for their age group or tastes, just in case it is needed.

Nearer the date, ask them what time you should arrive - this will let you know if they have planned time for setting up. Then offer to arrive early to help set up, then ask if they would like you to bring any extra balloons or other decorations, or table decorations or paper tablecloths.

Nearer the date, ask if you need to bring a jumper or will the hall be heated? - this will prompt them to think about it.

If you know the venue, see if there is any way you can visit it yourself some weeks in advance to check out the facilities. Have a good look at what the kitchen is supplied with. No need to tell them you are doing this.

Make a list of everything that could possibly be handy, like towels, bin bags, washing up liquid and sponge, dustpan and brush, sellotape and pins for decorations, extra plastic plates, cups and cutlery, paper napkins, tea or coffee supplies, cake knife, some children's toys, etc. etc. Put it all in the boot of your car on the day, don't mention it, but if it becomes apparent that something is needed just quietly go and get it from your car.

In short, you have a balancing act between letting them get on with it but offering to help with a few specific things nearer the time, and having some idea in your head of back up plans or contingencies.

sorcerersapprentice · 01/11/2022 12:52

2bazookas · 31/10/2022 15:02

You're overthinking this , calm down and step back.

They've got two months to organise every thing; and 70 years experience .

She's not. I play in a musical group and people book us for parties many months in advance, sometimes up to a year. 3 months is quite short notice tbh. People do organise big events quite a way in advance to make sure it's all booked and goes smoothly.

I think you are doing great OP. You can cherry pick the helpful, useful advice on here and I hope you all have a really good day. You sound like a very supportive daughter with quite a tricky mother to manage.

MichelleScarn · 01/11/2022 13:48

Beancounter1 · 31/10/2022 21:37

If I were in your shoes, I would do the following:

Assume word will get round all the family who need to know - there is no need for proper 'invitations', and the guest list is not your problem.

Assume nothing will be booked in the way of catering, music, or entertainers - if something does get booked, fine, but it is not an issue.

Assume food will be platters got from a supermarket, so a couple of days before the date offer to go and collect anything that needs collecting, and also ask how many people are coming - this conversation at the time will give you a clue if the food arrangements are inadequate with a day or two spare to help do emergency shopping if necessary.

Two or three weeks before the date, offer to make/buy a cake as your gift to them - this conversation will let you know if they already have this planned.

Assume they won't want loud music, but if they don't mention it, then a day or two before the date offer to bring a speaker for some 'quiet background music to give a nice atmosphere' - spend some time over the next few weeks putting together a long playlist for their age group or tastes, just in case it is needed.

Nearer the date, ask them what time you should arrive - this will let you know if they have planned time for setting up. Then offer to arrive early to help set up, then ask if they would like you to bring any extra balloons or other decorations, or table decorations or paper tablecloths.

Nearer the date, ask if you need to bring a jumper or will the hall be heated? - this will prompt them to think about it.

If you know the venue, see if there is any way you can visit it yourself some weeks in advance to check out the facilities. Have a good look at what the kitchen is supplied with. No need to tell them you are doing this.

Make a list of everything that could possibly be handy, like towels, bin bags, washing up liquid and sponge, dustpan and brush, sellotape and pins for decorations, extra plastic plates, cups and cutlery, paper napkins, tea or coffee supplies, cake knife, some children's toys, etc. etc. Put it all in the boot of your car on the day, don't mention it, but if it becomes apparent that something is needed just quietly go and get it from your car.

In short, you have a balancing act between letting them get on with it but offering to help with a few specific things nearer the time, and having some idea in your head of back up plans or contingencies.

So basically @Mummyongin does it all and pays for it all but via stealth with the likely outcome of getting told 'see told you we didn't need you'?

Beancounter1 · 01/11/2022 19:10

MichelleScarn · 01/11/2022 13:48

So basically @Mummyongin does it all and pays for it all but via stealth with the likely outcome of getting told 'see told you we didn't need you'?

Obviously only if the OP wants to - that was assumed.
The alternative would be to step back and do nothing, but that might not help the OP's anxiety about it all going wrong.

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