AIBU to be looking forward to spending my birthday completely alone?

[BeWorthyBear]

I’m turning 42 on Friday and, for once, the planets have aligned and I’ll have the house to myself.

DS (21) has buggered off round Europe for six weeks with his uni mates on his graduation trip. DD (18) is off tonight on a girls’ holiday to celebrate the end of A-Levels, and DH is away for work from tomorrow for a week. He’s been moping around like he’s leaving me on my deathbed, and has left a suspiciously large pile of birthday presents in the kitchen like he’s trying to buy his way out of guilt.

But the truth is I’m absolutely thrilled.

I’ve batch cooked my favourite meals that everyone else whinges about being “too heavy for summer”, think beef casserole and lasagne. I’ve loaded the Sky box with all the true crime, trash TV and stuff DH pretends to be allergic to. No one will ask me where their passport is, I won’t have to negotiate for use of the bathroom. I won’t have to answer any questions about lost phone chargers or uni admin, or pretend I’m interested in the latest TikTok drama. Heaven.

I’m off work Friday and fully intend to spend the day in bed, eating like a hungover student and reading rubbish. No socialising. No pretending to be interested in my own birthday. Just pure, undiluted quiet.

But apparently, this is a tragedy. DH keeps apologising like he’s forgotten our anniversary, random friends keep saying how “sorry” they are that I’ll be “on my own”, and DD asked if I’ll be okay like I’ve just been dumped.

AIBU to actually be looking forward to a day where no one’s demanding anything from me, I’m not cooking, I’m not taxiing anyone, and I’m eating all the crisps in peace?

Or am I secretly a sociopath who’s lost the plot?

Sounds incredible, have a fabulous time doing what you want!

If you’re a drinker, get your favourite champagne in. If you’re not, I’ll recommend some tipples to get you started! 🤣🥂

I love my own company! Enjoy & Happy Birthday OP 🎈🎉🎇💥🎆🎂🎁💐🍾🥂

This sounds like heaven. I’m jealous!

Sounds like bliss.

I work PT and tomorrow is my last “free” day before DS breaks up from school. I’m doing minimal housework so I can spend a couple of hours eating watermelon and watching Harlots.

I think part of the reason you are totally okay with this is because it’s quite clear you have people around who are bothered about you and have remembered your birthday. It sounds lovely though!

It sounds blissful to me, too, right now. Enjoy. 😁

This would be my ideal day! With a breastfed baby and a toddler it feels a looong way off right now! Enjoy!!

I have literally just this minute finished watching this, all 3 seasons! I loved it and shall miss it.

5!

It's also closer to the office, so I'll be able to sleep in, order a breakfast everyday and take advantage of their pool and spa after work!

This is excellent! A birthday present to yourself.

I’m planning a day like that for my 60th birthday very soon.

People keep asking me what I’m doing and I just lie, saying I’m meeting XYZ.

In truth I won’t get out of my PJs.

Sounds like heaven to me! Enjoy having the place to yourself!!

It sounds absolutely fantastic. I absolutely love having the house to myself. My kids have flown the nest and I actively encourage my husband to go abroad on golf trips.

First day of the summer holidays with 3 dc. 1 teen, 1 potty training toddler. Honestly it sounds like heaven!

Would you like us all to pop round to keep you company, OP? I’m sure you won’t mind looking after us & sharing your birthday cake around. 😉

I try and do this every year. School aged children & a DH who works out of the house for most of the week so it’s slightly easier to arrange. Well, it should be. Two years ago, DH took the day off as a surprise. And last year was a Sunday.
As soon as the kids are off to get the bus, I make a coffee, grab my mini bottle of Prosecco from the fridge and put it in the cooler and take those upstairs where a box of chocs, some other treats & a new book are already stashed under my bed. About 1pm, I might have a bath. Or just move to the sofa. And then the kids come home, we have cake and then the usual taxi & cooking duties take over

Bliss!! I think it’s a lovely plan for hour birthday
I did similar on my 60th last New Year’s Eve and thoroughly enjoyed myself
i bought myself some olaplex and shower gel and my favourite lipstick oh, ana a pre owned logic puzzle book, put Netflix on, or music Had my shower than watched the fireworks from my bedroom window
Enjoy every moment and do treat yourself to a gift

Sounds fantastic OP, enjoy!

As another slightly frazzled mum of 3 (one just back from uni, one about to go and one teen who doesn’t know what to do with himself) I can wholeheartedly say YABU - for not asking me to come with you 😂 I won’t speak, just pass snacks and pour drinks!!

But seriously op, enjoy it all. How decadent and lovely.

It's your birthday you do what you want!
It's very sweet that your DH is worried about you tho :)

Ahhh pressed the wrong vote. Definitely not unreasonable! Sounds bliss….

It's not my burthday but l had a day like this today op and l loved every single second!!
Happy Birthday for Friday, make the most of it!!!

Sounds like utter heaven. I also plan to do this one year as I hate being the centre of attention and get no joy from receiving gifts. It makes me sound like an old misery but I’m just so much happier at home, in my own 4 walls, with my DDogs for company. I love spending time just with my DC but it’s rarely possible to do this due to family dynamics here. As a single parent when my exH had his ‘contact’ - I still hate that phraseology, I eventually learned to revel in my time off and could spend the whole weekend in my PJ’s at times. Nice bottle of rosé, nibbles, TV, magazines and back then no dogs, but 3 Dcats. A ‘party for one’ is the only one I truly enjoy!

Sounds bliss