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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Kid’s party

19 replies

user1498936965 · 24/06/2024 17:14

I would appreciate some advice to see if I have a valid reason for being annoyed or am overreacting. My child has been friends with another child for all through primary schoool. They play online daily and have always gone to each other’s parties. I am close friends with the Mum; we meet for coffee, message and each other, socialise etc This child came to my child’s party. My friend started saying a few weeks ago their child was having a small party of 3/4 as wanted to do an expensive activity. I perceived she was setting the stall. Last week I found out from a friend the party would be this weekend and they had invited 5 children. We never had an invite. I was so put out as the children play daily online, meet up, had play dates etc and Mum is a friend. I also have helped her in school holidays looking after her child and included her when husband away etc and taken child to events. I am very inclusive and hate to leave people out. I decided to be bigger person and sent happy bday message last week and again was told the child support as not having a party but chose small number to do activity and she had been stressing all week about it. Probably guilt. As this was in a larger message re chit chat I didn’t respond to it as didn’t want roe over text on child’s bday. I felt so upset as been good friend and one child chosen they have just met recently. I feel friendship counts for nothing. I already have been pulling away as realise she is not that genuine or kind or inclusive to me but this has really done it.

I have not seen on her own to discuss, just in a group by chance and was awkward as I was really distant and off. I don’t know how I am supposed to react to this ‘ ah lovely, thanks so much. Hope they all have fun!’

My child says they don’t care but they mask a lot. They are really kind, popular and well behaved etc so is not owing to behaviour.

I feel the Mum has resented me for a while a am more outgoing and independednt so this is her way of hurting me. Husband said that a step back. Close friend said let it slide but I am not fake and don’t know how to move forward. Will be really awkward now and can already see mutual friends siding with her as their kids went etc

Am I wrong to be hurt, she could have paid the fee for one extra to not ruin the friendship so doesn’t care. I get it is child’s choice and smaller parties as older but this has hurt me and I just feel I am so inclusive and have helped her so is a kick in the teeth. I would be keen to hear if AIBU and how you should react and move forward. I guess I don’t want to really as more of a frenemy than friend but will see each other around the neighbourhood and be awkward.

Thanks

OP posts:
MiriamMay · 24/06/2024 17:18

I feel the Mum has resented me for a while a am more outgoing and independednt so this is her way of hurting me

you’re really over thinking this.

ToxicChristmas · 24/06/2024 17:24

I wouldn't really react in any way other than to take a big step back and stop being so available for favours etc. You can still be polite and chat, you don't need to be evil eyeing her on the school run or plotting your revenge.
It's a kids birthday party and will be forgotten about in a few months (if that long). It seems a bit odd with you being close but who knows what's behind it. Could be the child chose other kids (which doesn't mean she dislikes yours) or she could be short of money and really couldn't afford to add another. If you really feel that the mum is resentful of you and has issues with your independence, maybe a big step back isn't a bad thing anyway. Do you really want to have a close friendship with that brewing in the background?

ToxicChristmas · 24/06/2024 17:26

Oh and DON'T make it into a big thing making friends pick sides and so on. That would be ridiculous and cause so many issues (for the children as well as the adults).

NerrSnerr · 24/06/2024 17:28

How old are they? Even if they play online are they as close and you think they are? Do they hang out in school or in person.

The chances are it's not all about you and the child decided who to invite- which is fine.

Bluewhiteblue · 24/06/2024 17:31

How old are the children? I’m guessing secondary.

There are no sides to take, this isn’t a war it’s just a child deciding to invite others to his birthday over your son.

MintTwirl · 24/06/2024 17:33

It sounds they are older kids who most likely picked who they wanted to come? You need to stand down.

user1498936965 · 24/06/2024 17:36

They are 10

OP posts:
user1498936965 · 24/06/2024 17:36

They hang round in person and at school in a larger group

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 24/06/2024 17:37

Sounds like your child is fine if they’re happy and popular, and you’ve got nothing to worry about.

NerrSnerr · 24/06/2024 17:38

You need to start to separate your own friendships and your children's. You can't invite your friends kids forever and the children should be allowed to choose.

You sound massively over involved in it all. Let them pave their own friendships and you maintain whoever you wish to be friends with. Do whatever favours you want to.

BadlydoneHelen · 24/06/2024 17:38

I think you are confusing your friendship with the mother with the children's friendship- maybe they aren't as close as you think they are?

CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 24/06/2024 17:39

I think you need to leave it. For whatever reason they’ve chosen to ask other people over your child, that will happen sometimes and they shouldn’t be guilt tripped over it. Respect their decision.

FlabMonsterIsDietingAgain · 24/06/2024 17:43

Her kid didn't want to invite your kid.

We can't know why, you might know why, but that's what it boils down to.

It's her child's birthday and they get to invite who they want.

Createausername1970 · 24/06/2024 17:43

This isn't about you, though.

And by 10, it's not about who the mum did or didn't want to invite.

It's about who the 10 year old child wanted to invite. If the child really wanted your child there, then it probably would have happened.

Don't confuse your "wants" with those of another child.

cheddercherry · 24/06/2024 18:05

It’s nothing to do with the mum at that age, the child clearly picked their closest friends and that includes a new friend, according to them. Doesn’t mean they aren’t friends with your child, just as you say, in the wider group others (Inc your child) haven’t made it under such small numbers.

You need to chill, and assuming she’s jealous of you abd resents you and basically implying you didn’t like her anyway because you’re way better than her at the first chance you get doesn’t make you sound like a great friend either.

maw1681 · 24/06/2024 18:28

Don't make a big deal out of it, sounds like there were a limited number of guests invited and the birthday child just had to choose.

user1498936965 · 24/06/2024 20:09

Ok thanks all, will stop being petty and move on

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 24/06/2024 20:31

I feel the Mum has resented me for a while a am more outgoing and independednt so this is her way of hurting me.

I would examine this OP. If you're as independent as you think you are, why are you so bothered? I think the fact that you've taken a primary school party invite for your son so personally says something about your own self esteem.

SallyWD · 24/06/2024 20:49

NerrSnerr · 24/06/2024 17:38

You need to start to separate your own friendships and your children's. You can't invite your friends kids forever and the children should be allowed to choose.

You sound massively over involved in it all. Let them pave their own friendships and you maintain whoever you wish to be friends with. Do whatever favours you want to.

Yes I agree. Until about the age of 10 we always invited our friends' children to our kid's birthday parties. I mean they known each since birth and got on well so why not?
But then we decided to step back a bit and just let our kids choose. The friends children were no longer invited! No hard feelings. It's simply that our children had closer friends.

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