My sons birthday is on the 27th. Which is unfortunate as everyone usually busy/tired after Christmas.
That said we do try and make sure it is a special day for him, entirely separate from Christmas (we take most decs down and put birthday stuff up)
One of my sons best friends is is cousin (brothers son). They are similar ages.
My mum offered to host the birthday party this year. There were about 8 people coming, all close family. 10-1, family buffet and cake.
We hosted Christmas. As brother and wife left ours on the 25th brothers wife (who was fairly well served) said to me 'don't think we are going to make the birthday party, I think we fancy a day in the house after all the rushing around'. I was surprised as this would leave my son as the only child at his birthday party, and without his best friend.
My mum was in the hall when she said this and eyebrows were raised. She pulled my brother and said 'you can't spare an hour to celebrate with your nephew? I've bought food and cake for 8' and he (having not heard his wife give an excuse) said 'oh wife has invited her family over for a boozy brunch so we won't be able to drive that day'.
Subsequently my brother rang me on Boxing Day saying he was riddled with guilt but he'd been given a me or them ultimatum by his wife. He had suggested he brought my nephew over for an hour for some cake and to play with DS but his wife wasn't happy. He told me they had fallen out with my Mum who had quite sternly told them that the impression was that alcohol was more of a priority than seeing their nephew, plus they had agreed to this party weeks ago and she had spent money catering it,
Now SIL and Mum are raging at each other, my child was upset his friend didn't come to his party, and I feel sort of struck between being annoyed that my child feels sad.
Do I keep out of it? What do I do?