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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel absolutely gutted that my in-laws have given away DH's birthday surprise?

297 replies

RossGellersCat · 24/02/2025 10:00

I am very aware that this is a first world problem and am prepared to have my arse handed to me, but I'm absolutely gutted. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Context:
DH and I haven't been abroad together for 8 years. It's his 40th next month and as a surprise I've booked for the two of us to go to a country he's always wanted to go to but hasn't mentioned for a while (let's say Morocco). I've managed to organise childcare, worked overtime to fund the whole thing as we don't have a lot of money spare. He would never have guessed as we haven't holidayed due to those two factors, he knows I've asked him to book some A/L but he thinks it's for a UK-based activity. I've also never organised a surprise for him like this so this felt extra special. Due to cost it's also the only present I've got him (apart from very small things from our kids) and bought a nice personalised card to 'reveal' it on the day.

My MiL had asked me if we could visit them the weekend we're away so I explained why we couldn't and emphasised that it's a surprise and DH doesn't know. (You can guess where this is headed(!)) So last weekend we were there and within 5 minutes of walking in the door FiL says to both of us "So I hear you're off to Morocco?" I tried to look confused and said no, think you're mistaken. (While also doing mild dagger eyes) to which he said "But MiL told me you're talking DH there for his birthday?" I downplayed it again and then frantically mouthed at him (DH doesn't know!!) Managed to take him to one side and reinforce that it's a surprise, MiL was there too and confirmed that when she told FiL about it she'd said it was a surprise. I was feeling really upset but told myself that I might have bluffed it enough that DH didn't catch on. Then SiL found me a couple of hours later and said "DH doesn't know about Morroco does he?? Because dad (FiL) has just mentioned it in front of him". I don't know if she tried to cover it up in my absence, I didn't even know that she knew about the trip but I'm guessing MiL told everyone. I'm absolutely bloody gutted. I've saved and spent £700 on this, had managed to keep it a secret for 3 months and genuinely don't think DH would have guessed any of it but I'm now very confident that he knows.

I don't know whether it's better to just ask DH if he knows and let him be involved in it or try and hide my upset and act like it's all a surprise still.

To pre-empt some potential Qs, no my FiL doesn't have any memory problems/reason to not be able to keep secrets, don't think he said anything maliciously (he just doesn't think sometimes) and yes, I have 100% learnt never to tell my in-laws anything that I want kept a secret ever again. 🤦🏻‍♀️

AIBU for feeling really upset that someone else in seconds ruined what I worked so hard to be an amazing (and very unexpected) surprise?

OP posts:
SALaw · 25/02/2025 23:03

After a couple of incidents I learned long ago not to trust my in laws or parents with a surprise for my husband or kids so they find out the surprise when he does or after now. No malice but no thought either. What's done is done and it honestly won't ruin the holiday.

Littlemisscapable · 25/02/2025 23:05

Everestisthebest · 25/02/2025 19:10

My own father ruined my engagement, before my husband proposed he called my father to tell him. My father then messaged me congratulating me before my husband had even proposed! I understand your frustration completely.

Yep. This happened to me ! It was the start of years of nonsense and passive aggressive carryon by both my parents to be honest...should have seen the signs !

Honeyroar · 25/02/2025 23:24

So they’re planning a secret party for your husband? Are you meant to turn up with him? I think I’d forget. Or be really late/early.

ManchesterLu · 25/02/2025 23:52

Inkystain · 24/02/2025 10:09

The childcare you’ve arranged… doesn’t involve your inlaws?

Why is this so surprising? Perhaps they're staying with HER parents!

avillage · 26/02/2025 00:41

It's still a surprise. Albeit a bit early.

ToWhitToWhoo · 26/02/2025 01:35

Thoughtless of them; but I don't think it's that serious. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that the surprise is the most important part of enjoying a gift. It sounds like a lovely holiday and I'm sure your dh will really appreciate aned enjoy it

gettingthehangofsewing · 26/02/2025 04:13

Hopefully he doesn't know and you still get the surprise.

I planned a surprise party for dh 30th. Mil, fil and a random aunt all nearly let it slip. Some people are tactless!!

iseethecrystalraindropsfall · 26/02/2025 05:26

Ask him what he wants to do in the UK for his birthday weekend etc.

You could say that you'd hoped to take him to Morocco but couldn't afford it.

amccabe15 · 26/02/2025 08:47

I’d be gutted too! And it’s bad form that MiL can’t keep quiet. However, it does give your husband the chance to look forward to it so I’d work on that instead.
And I NEVER tell my husband secrets as he can’t keep them!!! 🤦‍♀️

DollieBantrysPantry · 26/02/2025 15:39

This happened to me but not that I had planned the surprise but was the receiver of one. My husband had planned a weekend in London with a lovely hotel: restaurant dinners organised and tickets to see a show I wanted to see for a big birthday. It had been an awful time as both my parents had been poorly, hospital stays and I was visiting them there and at home every day. He told them I would be away for said birthday and arranged for others to visit. On the morning of my birthday I had an early hairdressers appointment that I had booked as a treat, I thought the plan was a pub lunch and whilst I wad there a friend M rang me to wish me a happy birthday. She said “I hear your off to London!” I laughingly replied “Am I?” thinking she had made a mistake but she was horrified. It turned out my husband had told his best friend, her husband T the secret plan and he’d told M omitting out it was a surprise. M was livid with T but I begged her not to let on she had told me. At the lunch I gave an Oscar performance so my husband wouldn’t know I knew and to this day he doesn’t. He’d done so much planning to make it special I couldn’t take the joy of the reveal away from him.

T1Dmama · 26/02/2025 16:10

I’d probably text SIL back and say no it’s meant to be a surprise but it’s ruined now so I might as well cancel the whole thing as FIL has ruined it!

Nonrienderien · 26/02/2025 17:03

On reflection OP, is there a chance your DH does know & he just wants to keep the peace with his family. If this is the case I think it's very thoughtful of him. He sounds like someone who doesn't seek or like conflict which is admirable. I've read responses from posters who due to this incident have suggested not including his parents & sister in future plans,low contact etc, which is ludicrous.

T1Dmama · 26/02/2025 18:26

JoyeuxNarwhal · 25/02/2025 18:57

Hold up - so you actually asked dh if he knows about a surprise you have planned, that you don't want to give away? Or am I missing something?

"Hey dh, I told your mum a secret. Has she or your dad let onto you about it?"
"No, but you have now" Hmm

Op has already said that her husband knows she’s made plans as he’s had to book annual leave! But obviously he probably thinks they’re all having a U.K. break somewhere! The surprise is the location !

RossGellersCat · 26/02/2025 20:09

T1Dmama · 26/02/2025 18:26

Op has already said that her husband knows she’s made plans as he’s had to book annual leave! But obviously he probably thinks they’re all having a U.K. break somewhere! The surprise is the location !

Yes, this 😊 Thank you for explaining!

OP posts:
RossGellersCat · 26/02/2025 20:13

Nonrienderien · 26/02/2025 17:03

On reflection OP, is there a chance your DH does know & he just wants to keep the peace with his family. If this is the case I think it's very thoughtful of him. He sounds like someone who doesn't seek or like conflict which is admirable. I've read responses from posters who due to this incident have suggested not including his parents & sister in future plans,low contact etc, which is ludicrous.

I can't know for sure (which is hard) but I feel I have to trust him given how feverently he swears he doesn't know and would tell me if he did. (But you are absolutely right about him wanting to keep peace and not rock boats).
I definitely won't be going low contact with his family over this, but I have 1000% learnt to hold better boundaries myself about what we're willing for them to know.

(This thread has even reminded me that 8 years ago SiL told all of DH's friends that I was pregnant with our first child before he got the chance to, so with hindsight I honestly should have seen this coming!)

OP posts:
janj52301 · 26/02/2025 20:45

DH bought me a brand new MGB for a big birthday. I was in the garage regarding my then current car and the guy on the desk said is the Princess or the MG. I've never told him I knew in advance.

Nonrienderien · 26/02/2025 23:02

janj52301 · 26/02/2025 20:45

DH bought me a brand new MGB for a big birthday. I was in the garage regarding my then current car and the guy on the desk said is the Princess or the MG. I've never told him I knew in advance.

It just goes to prove with the best will in the world surprises can be a hit or a miss. Its amazing how easy it is to blurt out someones surprise on the spur of the moment due to a lapse of concentration or even excitement 😂

Annatinks · 28/02/2025 22:50

My MiL told me her son (and my now husband) was going to propose in our holiday. We were both pretty gutted she told me

Tidmarsh · 28/02/2025 23:06

Annatinks · 28/02/2025 22:50

My MiL told me her son (and my now husband) was going to propose in our holiday. We were both pretty gutted she told me

Why did she tell you? Come to that, why did your DH tell his mother?

Lilactimes · 05/03/2025 09:34

Annatinks · 28/02/2025 22:50

My MiL told me her son (and my now husband) was going to propose in our holiday. We were both pretty gutted she told me

No way @Annatinks - that’s soooo rubbish!!
so weird to spoil the surprise

Shinyandnew1 · 05/03/2025 09:51

Managed to take him to one side and reinforce that it's a surprise, MiL was there too and confirmed that when she told FiL about it she'd said it was a surprise.

What did FIL say at this point?

RossGellersCat · 05/03/2025 09:58

Shinyandnew1 · 05/03/2025 09:51

Managed to take him to one side and reinforce that it's a surprise, MiL was there too and confirmed that when she told FiL about it she'd said it was a surprise.

What did FIL say at this point?

"Oh" I think! Definitely one word reply 😅

OP posts:
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