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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU - Retracted Mothers Day Treat?

302 replies

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 12:20

So a few weeks ago my BF asked me if I’d like to go out for Mother’s Day (his treat) if I had nothing planned with my 18 yo DS who is still a college student and living at home. I said I didn’t know what I was doing as not yet discussed it with my DS. Usually my DS will usually just get me a card as not earning and we don’t go out since my Mum passed away 3 years ago. When my Dad was alive we’d all go out on Mother’s Day and he would treat me, my Mum and my DS. I thought offering to take me out was a lovely gesture from my BF and I was really looking forward to it. As the time drew nearer, I asked him if he’d like to ask his Mum and also if it would be okay to take my DS, so 4 of us. He said he thought it was a lovely idea and even remarked it would be both mums and their sons. He knows I’m struggling since the loss of my parents and that I’m struggling with the menopause in that me and him won’t have children of our own. I also had a miscarriage just before my DS was conceived and I think about that baby on Mothers Day too. My BF has grown up children. He booked a table for 4 at a local pub. This was also the first time my DS was meeting my BF’s elderly parents too. I was really looking forward to it all and felt happier he’d asked his Mum as he is very lucky to still have her and she is lovely. She was also very excited. Anyway, all was well with me until after we sat down, drinks were chosen and he headed to the bar. I went with him to help carry the drinks back to the table but upon being asked if he wanted to pay for the drinks, or open a tab for the table, he asked me what I’d like to do while he secured a tab with his card. As we walked away from the bar I said ‘what do you mean, I thought this was your treat?’ He said he was sorry he had said that and yes it was. This was while walking back to the table. It wasn’t resolved and I was very confused so after we’d all decided what to eat we returned to the bar together to order the food. He said he would get it and I could transfer my share to him? Again I said I thought this was a treat but because now I was upset/shocked/annoyed and still confused (all at the same time) and I’m currently short of money (which he knows) I said I can’t afford to transfer you money so I’ll just get it on my credit card and tapped my credit card. The amount included the drinks. We then went and sat back down and I felt really upset but obviously put a brave face on things as his Mum was there and my DS who surprisingly was very chatty were smiling away. I was so upset I could not look my BF in the eyes. For me the occasion had gone from a treat for me to us now going 50/50 which is what we normally do. From the pub we returned his Mum home and spent an hour there with his Dad too so my DS could also meet him. My DS loved them. Anyway once back at my house I told him how I felt about us splitting it 50/50 when originally it was him inviting me out for a treat, and his answer was that that was if it had been just the two of us. So I asked how could that be, was he going to ask his Mum to pay for herself? Was it because I’d taken my DS? and he didn’t want to pay for him, but I’d asked if I could invite him and he’d said yes. He said he thought I’d have realised this changed things. I told him no I hadn’t. I said unless he’d have said to me that because it wasn’t now just the two of us so would I be happy to now go halves I was left feeling like I’d caused my own Mother’s Day treat to unravel and no longer be a treat. He said he wanted me to see his point of view and apologised. To add to this the pub took a £20 deposit for the table on booking on his card which they have not deducted from the total bill which was £60. He now has to go back to the pub to have the deposit refunded. Am I being unreasonable to think the original offer of lunch out being on him should still stand as I do feel very disappointed. As it stands the cost for me and my DS is £30. My DS wanted another drink so I sent him to the bar with my card to tap for that. My BF currently has the receipt to take back to the pub to get the deposit refunded. Last night I did not sleep as this has upset me so much and I’m feeling very resentful.

OP posts:
Imbusytodaysorry · 31/03/2025 18:47

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 18:37

The takeaway was meant to give me break out of the kitchen after 2 days of cooking over Xmas. But he drove past the takeaway after suggesting it earlier and said we can use up the last of the turkey so there I was calving off the very last bits from the turkey once we got home which was fairly late.

Oh he’s full of shit !
Like the post from the lady a few weeks ago. .
Her dp talked up a 50th surprise for 3/4 of a year then nothing not even a card.
He is a taker op not a giver .

Hoardasauruskaren · 31/03/2025 18:53

As you’ve said he can easily afford it I think hes being a bit mean here. Obviously he should be paying for his mum ( as its mothers day) and you (as he offered to treat you) . So that just leaves your DS. Most people would just pay for all in this situation! Especially as it wasn't an extravagant meal. Seems a bit petty to ask you to go halves.

I am taking my mum out for lunch later this week as Mothers Day is a family get together with all siblings, gc etc. My Dad will come too as it seems mean to leave him out as he will be alone. Wouldn't occur to me not to pay for him too.

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 31/03/2025 18:54

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 18:37

The takeaway was meant to give me break out of the kitchen after 2 days of cooking over Xmas. But he drove past the takeaway after suggesting it earlier and said we can use up the last of the turkey so there I was calving off the very last bits from the turkey once we got home which was fairly late.

He’s a CF.

savethatkitty · 31/03/2025 19:00

Ofcourse it changes things. You invited other people! It's incredibly rude to assume he's now going to treat everyone.

Overthebow · 31/03/2025 19:06

Maybe he was upset with you for the assumption that he would just pay for your DS who you added on. It might not be the money but the principle of it. You should have offered to pay for your DS yourself when you asked to invite him.

Iwannakeepondancing · 31/03/2025 19:07

You’re being really dramatic!
It was originally two of you so presumably £30? You then invited your son and his mum so it was more (£60 for four people for food and drinks is very cheap!) therefore why do you think he should still pay?
Being that upset seems really strange!

bananascentedhair · 31/03/2025 19:11

@mummytippyAm I correct in assuming, from what you’ve said about Christmas (using up the turkey at your house) and the fact you have a child and you haven’t mentioned him having any…. That he spends a lot of time at your house, eating your food etc?

I dated someone like this, he would be at my house at least 2 nights a week for dinner due to my childcare situation. Believe me, this added up to my costs even though I didn’t mind because I appreciated the company and enjoy cooking for others.

However it became very apparent that I was getting the raw end of the deal because when we went out for meals/coffee it was still 50/50 or actually I’d say more like 70/30… he was always good at standing back when the coffee bill came.

On balance, we earned about the same but my outgoings were far higher, even without having to feed him twice a week!

I quickly realised he was mean with money, would spend huge amounts on himself and scrimp on me/anyone else.

Men like that don’t change… you just have to decide if you’re willing to put up with it. I personally can’t cope with meanness.

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 19:48

Bogginsthe3rd · 31/03/2025 12:36

So you thought that however high the numbers of people attending were, BF would pay for all as mother's Day treat ?

Well he originally treating me, and I didn’t think he’d have a problem treating his Mum (paying for her too). He invited her, not me, I suggested it. I guess I was wrong on all counts.

OP posts:
Moonnstars · 31/03/2025 19:59

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 19:48

Well he originally treating me, and I didn’t think he’d have a problem treating his Mum (paying for her too). He invited her, not me, I suggested it. I guess I was wrong on all counts.

Your original post says he invited you out, his treat, if you had nothing better planned. You waited to check with your son and then suggested a meal with your son and his mum. This to me is implying something better did come along - something you expected him to foot the bill for.
I think you were wrong to invite others along, and you should have asked him whether he was doing something with his mum. It would have been fine if he had invited you and your son out for a treat but that was not his words. You are wrong to think he should be treating you.

mewkins · 31/03/2025 20:08

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 18:16

We always go 50/50. He has treated me once before. This was a few months ago to a meal and drinks after a previous misunderstanding where by he had suggested getting a takeaway on the way out to going shopping for the day. Then on the way home he’d said we could use up some leftovers at my house. As a sorry he took me out for drinks and a meal.

So he has form for promising treats and then retracting his offer. It sounds like you'd be better off without him as you don't know where you stand with him. Make sure you get the money back for his half first though!

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 20:12

We have just spoken and he has said that when I suggested he invited his Mum, and I invited my DS, it ceased being a treat for me and became a family outing where we always share the bill. We have been out once with our children altogether and when we did this it was pre agreed. It was never said at that point that it will always be this way. He has brought pizzas round on one occasion to my house for me, him, my son and his girlfriend. I think this made me think he’d be ok with £15 on my DS for Mothers Day. When he said about it not being the two of us and it now being a family meal it sounded like an invisible contract and I said he should have perhaps made this clear. He said I had assumed which I agreed I had. I said that if I had thought I was covering my DS’s meal I would have simply said I’ve asked my DS and he’s coming too. Instead I asked him if he was okay for him to come. Which obviously I meant from a ‘are you happy to pay for my DS’ POV. Anyway he called at the pub earlier on his way home from work and has had the deposit refunded which will take 2/3 days. I asked why he seemed so adamant not to pay based on my current financial situation when at the bar and me stressing this and he said he’d made a mistake and if he could rewind time back to yesterday he would. Last night he had said he would pay all of it but as he hasn’t already done this I have said let’s draw a line under it and go 50/50. I have asked him to transfer half to me which he has said he will do. I’ve said I’ll now accept the treat was if it were just the two of us, and going forwards we must be very clear each time we go out. I told him I’m still very upset and that if I was completely honest £60 for 4 was not expensive and in view of the initial invite out being to cheer me up I feel he has been tight. He said he is sorry I feel like this to which I said I have to be honest.

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 31/03/2025 20:19

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 20:12

We have just spoken and he has said that when I suggested he invited his Mum, and I invited my DS, it ceased being a treat for me and became a family outing where we always share the bill. We have been out once with our children altogether and when we did this it was pre agreed. It was never said at that point that it will always be this way. He has brought pizzas round on one occasion to my house for me, him, my son and his girlfriend. I think this made me think he’d be ok with £15 on my DS for Mothers Day. When he said about it not being the two of us and it now being a family meal it sounded like an invisible contract and I said he should have perhaps made this clear. He said I had assumed which I agreed I had. I said that if I had thought I was covering my DS’s meal I would have simply said I’ve asked my DS and he’s coming too. Instead I asked him if he was okay for him to come. Which obviously I meant from a ‘are you happy to pay for my DS’ POV. Anyway he called at the pub earlier on his way home from work and has had the deposit refunded which will take 2/3 days. I asked why he seemed so adamant not to pay based on my current financial situation when at the bar and me stressing this and he said he’d made a mistake and if he could rewind time back to yesterday he would. Last night he had said he would pay all of it but as he hasn’t already done this I have said let’s draw a line under it and go 50/50. I have asked him to transfer half to me which he has said he will do. I’ve said I’ll now accept the treat was if it were just the two of us, and going forwards we must be very clear each time we go out. I told him I’m still very upset and that if I was completely honest £60 for 4 was not expensive and in view of the initial invite out being to cheer me up I feel he has been tight. He said he is sorry I feel like this to which I said I have to be honest.

Sounds miserable contracting basic parts of your relationship like that.

Secondguess · 31/03/2025 20:22

I don't understand why you paid for the whole bill on your credit card, but anyway, get your half back then dump him.

ChampagneLassie · 31/03/2025 21:06

Honestly he sounds tight and mean. It was £60 which you say he could easily afford. I feel embarrassed for him. It would be LTB for me over this.

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 21:23

mewkins · 31/03/2025 20:08

So he has form for promising treats and then retracting his offer. It sounds like you'd be better off without him as you don't know where you stand with him. Make sure you get the money back for his half first though!

We would have been going 50/50 on the takeaway too.

OP posts:
mummytippy · 31/03/2025 21:28

ChampagneLassie · 31/03/2025 21:06

Honestly he sounds tight and mean. It was £60 which you say he could easily afford. I feel embarrassed for him. It would be LTB for me over this.

Sorry I must be naive but what is LTB?

OP posts:
Cadenza12 · 31/03/2025 21:35

He sounds very mean spirited. I personally would call it a day.

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 21:37

Can someone tell me what CF and LTB mean please?

OP posts:
Iwanttenofthose · 31/03/2025 21:45

CF = cheeky fucker
LTB = leave the bastard

ChampagneLassie · 31/03/2025 21:51

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 21:28

Sorry I must be naive but what is LTB?

Sorry I used that as I was writing quickly and it’s a bit mumsnet slang. I felt like he’s just really taking the oiss and not treating you like he cares. If he was impoverished and £60 was a lot of money for him. But you say that’s not the case. He’s made you feel rubbish about yourself. Get rid of him. Raise your bar. You deserve better 💐

IsItOnlyWednesday · 31/03/2025 21:54

Honestly, it sounds like he suggested an arrangement between the two of you and you changed the numbers of people and assumed he would just swallow the cost without checking. Thats unreasonable in my book.

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 21:55

Iwanttenofthose · 31/03/2025 21:45

CF = cheeky fucker
LTB = leave the bastard

Thanks

OP posts:
Aworldofwonder · 31/03/2025 22:03

Sorry OP but I think you deserve more than this. He's never taken you out for dinner for no reason except to do something nice for you?

It seems he was happy to treat you but then you were expected to pay for your DS and HIS mum? Or else you were no longer being treated.

It's meanness. It's up to you if it's a dealbreaker. It would be for me. My DH would have paid for me and my mum and whoever else. Likewise I would and have paid for his three girls multiple times especially if it's a treat for him.

mummytippy · 31/03/2025 22:41

Aworldofwonder · 31/03/2025 22:03

Sorry OP but I think you deserve more than this. He's never taken you out for dinner for no reason except to do something nice for you?

It seems he was happy to treat you but then you were expected to pay for your DS and HIS mum? Or else you were no longer being treated.

It's meanness. It's up to you if it's a dealbreaker. It would be for me. My DH would have paid for me and my mum and whoever else. Likewise I would and have paid for his three girls multiple times especially if it's a treat for him.

Thanks. Same and this is what I’ve said to him.

OP posts:
BusyMum47 · 31/03/2025 22:50

McSpoot · 31/03/2025 12:42

The person I’d be disappointed in is your son who not only saw no need to treat you but was happy to be treated (by you or your BF).

This! ⬆️ It all sounds like an innocent miscommunication & a bit cheeky of you to just assume your BF was going to pay for your son, too. You should have clarified once the original plans had changed. Not worth losing sleep over, surely?

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