to feel sad for ds whose birthday it is tomorow and no-one has sent him cards?

[IlanaK]

Ds2 is 5 tomorow and is really excited about his birthday. His party is not for a couple of weeks (combined with ds1) so I knew he would likely not have presents and cards from friends. But no family have sent him cards either

Parents in Australia sent him an e-card. But at 5, I think he would have really liked to get a card in the post. My dad and stepmother haven't sent him one at all (they left me some money on last trip to buy a present for him which I have done). Neither of his Aunt's have sent him a card. So the only card he has tomorow is from us.

It just seems so sad really, and I am a bit pissed off at relatives.

I know you dont want to, but if you think he'll be upset I would fake a few from the rellies - then phone them and tell them what you;ve done (hopefully theyll be a bit more thoughtful next year).

aw, that's a shame but I suspect Noonki is right and ds2 won't notice.

I think adults can undersestimate just how much a birthday means to a child. This happened with DD2 a couple of years back. She wasn't forgotten and got some cards a day late, but when nothing came in the post on her birthday I went out and bought a handful of cards and mocked them up from young cousins etc. Don't let him feel your disappointment and make a big fuss of him yourself.

for your DS. I really hope you can sort something out for him. How inconsiderate and mean of your relatives. I'd be heartbroken for DS if that happened to us (and tbh it wouldn't really surprise me if it did). Up to now DS has been too young to notice. This year he'll be 3, so we'll see what happens (I'm not holding my breath for anything from his half-sisters).

I am Australian, and although I completely understand your sentiments as my DP is English and his Mum gives us cards at every conceivable occasion - in Australia - we don't place the huge emphasis on cards.

It doesn't mean we don't care, it just isn't our tradition. I just think you shouldn't assume they don't care about your DS because they've not sent a piece of paper saying so.

It would be nice for him though - I do appreciated and always keep all the cards my MIL gives me...

Children aren't really bothered about cards are they?

Mine aren't.

I would have sent one! But as he doesn't know me that might have been slightly freaky. Hope he has a nice day.

(and don't be nervous about next weekend. We'll be ACE).

That is a bit sad. However, once he gets pressies from you he will probably be less focused on cards from others.

happy birthday to your little son!!!!!!

Yes, best wishes to the little chap. Hope he has a lovely day

I would fake some cards like a shot - why wouldn't you? Then you ring the relations and say "I gave little X a card from you - I realized you might be too busy to get one in the post" Then they'll remember next year.

This is really sad but I'm sure that if he gets a card and a gift from YOU, and you make the whole day about him, let him eat sweets, give him loads of hugs and kisses and let him know that you are really happy it's his birthday, he won't even notice. Make it positive. He is very young and will remember the good, not the bad. X

Happy Birthday to your son!

when i was working i would often not remember to post cards until the day before (or sometimes on the day - oops) and hoped the recipient would not mind too much.

now that i am a mum, i really really really appreciate the lovely friends and family who post EARLY so the cards are here to open on the day. I now make a point of posting early!

i think children do like to open the cards once they are a little older, but when they are little, its nice for the mums to see that family and close friends have remembered their lo.

I like the idea of cards from the pets....cute.

Thanks everyone. He had a good day in the end. One homemade card arrived today from a little friend which was lovely. He really enjoyed the day and did not ask where the other cards were. My father called as did my sister. Sister in law did not which makes me sad.

Can you print the e-card? Sorry if already discussed, no time to read the whole threat but fr you DS.

You should definitely give the rellies a telling off!! And insist on cards in time for the party, as someone else suggested.

Glad the day went well IlanaK - and happy birthday to your ds

Happy Birthday to your ds hope he has a fab day what about trying to get a request played on local radio or something tomorrow?

My son who is 6 now, generally gets few cards, because we have a very small family (my mother basically) and a pretty small social circle (partly because i have a chronic illness, partly because of my personality!)

Recently I travelled to a relative's house and her son had about 15 cards on the mantlepiece - but she has a huge family and is a very social person.

Still, I agree, it can make you and your son feel a bit unloved.

I think all the advice has been great. About making a fuss of him, etc, which you seem to have done. And a couple of nice extra cards/contacts turned up.

But just wanted to express, you are not alone in having odd, sad feelings like this.