Feelig a bit rubbish on my birthday

[Ilovecrumpets]

Hi all - just writing for a moan really. First birthday since ex left the family home. Just feel a bit low. Have 2 young DS (6 and 4) - DS7 made me a card. Tbf ex did take them shopping and bought them present to give me - which are toys for themselves.

I guess I just wanted something from them that I could keep - so a card from my youngest and even something totally crap/small from them as a gift. Actually just a card each.

I guess I feel worse as my mum helps my sister who is a single parent extensively and always makes sure my neiece has got her something and done a card. She was down here last weekend (1st time since my ex left) - I don’t know I just thought she might have helped them.

I know it doesn’t really matter and I’ll feel fine in 10 minutes. I guess it just makes me realise how on my own I am - mum and sister didn’t send anything either.

Happy belated birthday Ilovecrumpets

I'm another single Mum, no local family, unhelpful ex. For the last couple of years I've taken DD to a small local independent shop (with very helpful owner). I give them a budget, and then go stand outside like a lemon. DD wanders around and chooses, owner keeps her on track re budget,then once DD has chosen the owner wraps up the gift/gifts before I go in and pay. DD is delighted to be given free choice, the owner likes having the custom in a way that staff in the chain stores wouldn't be bothered about, and I like getting a surprise that DD has chosen! Everyone wins.

Mona that sounds a great idea - I think that’s the difficulty as the D.C. do want to do something.

@eve34 hi Eve - hope you are ok. I tried to find the other thread but can’t seem to?

Ilovecrumpets DD loves it because she gets to give me a genuine surprise gift that's she's chosen for me. We started doing this from about age 5-6... She's always had a clear idea of 'what I would like' (much to the amazement of the shopkeeper, who thought DD would be guided by her!) Note though, that 'what I would like' often bore no resemblance to things that I would have bought for myself But I always genuinely enjoyed seeing what she got me and hearing why she chose it (eg a hellishly ugly heart paperweight because 'then you'll know how much I miss you when I'm at Daddy's'... Obviously is now a (seemingly) beautiful paperweight that has pride of place on my bookshelf!!