To buy my son gifts and balloon for his 16th birthday

[benecarlos]

So my son is turning 16 in a couple of weeks - he's a big oasis fan and I spent ALOT of money on tickets to take him to Wembley to see them later this year which I said would be his birthday present however as it gets closer to his birthday I've been thinking I can't let him get up on his birthday with nothing to open so I've bought him a T-shirt and a few little bits and pieces and was going to get balloons for him - my husband has kicked off saying that he should only have the tickets and nothing else as the tickets, trains and hotel were more than we'd normally spend on a birthday and that I'm spoiling and babying him - is he right or do you think it's mean to let him get up to nothing on his birthday?

Dd is 18 tomorrow. We've bought her an expensive power tool which she asked for. I've also got a few little presents and cake and, yes, balloons. Big as she is there would be disappointment without balloons.

Good to hear everyone agrees with me - we always do balloon and banners and said I always would as long as long as they're still at home!

He would always have been getting gifts of other family members / friends so was never not going to have anything but felt mean not getting anything for him myself - think my
Husband is a little annoyed that he doesn't get to go to Oasis haha

Spoiling and babying him? Is your husband usually such a jealous arsehole who ‘kicks off’ when you do nice things for your child?

I’d tell him to fuck off.

husband is an old scrooge
I would buy a nice big 16 helium balloon from a card shop that should do
plus some nice little gifts

Please may I just mention the effect of these balloons if allowed to be released?

I dont mind the balloons but please please don't let them go free. they have a really bad effect in farmers fields on livestock as they get eaten and kill cows.

I am sorry to mention this but I never see the flying, just lying in the grass.

I’d get him some gifts but please don’t buy helium-filled balloons - not only are they dangerous to wildlife if released outside but helium is a finite resource and has uses in medical contexts.

But Yy some gifts for sure.

Skinflint is right.
I'm off to check those balloons on Amazon for DD's 22nd birthday next week.

Your husband sounds miserable its just a balloon and a t shirt fgs, he probably thinks you are "babying" your son so he will stay your little boy! crack on throw in a party popper just for the 😆

Your DH is a grump.

DS has had some "experience" type presents over the years that have been expensive but I always got him something extra to unwrap on the day. I also always decorated with banners etc. for his birthday. It doesn't hurt to make someone feel special.

Treat other people how you would like them to treat you is my motto, and that includes my DS.

'Worldwide reserves, exclusive of the US, was estimated to be ~ 31,300 million cubic meters. Based on these figures, we estimate the current worldwide reserves will sustain the supply for ~300 years at current rates of consumption.'

I think we'll be alright.
Disposing of them as safely as possible obviously is important though.

I don’t think it’s babying a teenager to make sure they have a couple of little bits to open on their birthday. Your husband’s being a dick.

I still make sure dm has things to open, and she's 70!

My children are 19-23 and get balloons every year. Why the hell not? Once they were older they were given the choice of a helium one or an extra present as they are £5+ each. They chose the extra gift but for special birthdays, 18th, 21st, they get a helium one as well as normal blow up balloons. And banners.

I'd do the same. In fact I do ! And my ds is an adult now.
As long as you can afford it it's fine.
However my husband is a bigger softie than me so he wouldn't bat an eyelid.

When my ds was 16 we paid for a week away with his friends ( and their family ) which was over £600. Plus a driving experience race day. But I also still got him clothes , aftershave, cash to spend and a watch. And last min threw a surprise family and friends party / bbq
I am fully aware I go ott. But I enjoy it. The children appreciate it and that's all that matters

Yes of course you should mark the occasion on the day. Your DH sounds like a misery guts lacking in basic empathy.

OP is your husband stressed about money or his job, or trying to say he feels he hasn't been getting enough attention lately/on his own birthday? To me a T shirt and balloons is hardly breaking the bank. A 16th birthday is special. Our kids are only young once, and birthday celebrations are a positive and healthy thing. Go for it.

I would absolutely do something on his actual birthday. Maybe a balloon or a banner to come down to and a small gift in the morning. I'd also probably have a cake or his favourite takeaway in the evening. Your husband sounds like a grumpy old sod.

I actually thought this was a hot air balloon ride...not child's balloons.

Save money on the helium balloons , @benecarlos unless your son specifically likes them?

Totally agree! a cake, a banner and something small to open is fine.

Special Birthdays are 16, 18, 21, 30, 40 and then the decade ones right up to 100!

On Sunday, walking in fields, there was a massive foil helium balloon in the shape of a 3 flying low - It was huge.
I followed it where it landed in a field where cattle are grazed, and removed the bloody thing.

Wildlife and cattle die eating these wretched things every year.

Please don't get a balloon, really bad for the environment

My son is a similar age. My husband is also a prick. On the basis that I enjoy spoiling my son and care very little about what my husband thinks, I'd buy the balloons. And the gifts. Maybe even a pony.

YANBU Your husband is a tightarse!!
16 is a big milestone age. Of course if you can afford it, get him the balloons and the gifts. Dont forget a cake either!

Hi greta thunberg fancy seeing you here

Is your DH the biological father of your DS?

Either way he sounds like a selfish wanker.