Am I over reacting?

[clairejnelly99]

For some reason on my birthday it really hits home for me who cares and who doesn't.

Totally understand people forget with busy lives; but it means so much to me to be acknowledged on this day - even just a text.

We went out with the MIL for a meal the day before my birthday; the next day I thanked her and sent her a pic of my little girl all dressed up and didn't get a reply.

My family are quite traditional we always call and acknowledge the birthday on the actual day even if we have seen each other the day before, just a bit of etiquette? Especially when you see they have liked someone's post on Facebook, is it that hard to reply and say happy birthday?

My husbands brother and wife didn't even acknowledge, my auntie and uncle didn't either and some friends missed it. I'm not as sensitive about friends, but family (from my husbands side) I find hard....

I am ruminating on this and it's been in my head mainly wondering why it's so difficult to just send a message?

Fully understand your feelings. Everyone needs to feel affirmed. However, what is important can differ within families. Work on your own self esteem so that future birthdays aren't spoilt by people's indifference.
You are lovely.x

It's ok to feel neglected or like you're not a priority. However, you can't hold others to a standard of behaviour that they may not be used to or have any idea you're expecting.

These things vary greatly between families, my MIL will acknowledge my birthday but not FIL, DBIL, DSIL and forget about aunties and uncles. It doesn't bother me that they don't, the days slip by and it's easy to forget. Particularly if you had celebrated together the day before, I'd be wondering how much more attention someone needed...

Is it a milestone birthday? I usually find that past 21, attention shifts to children's birthdays and adults are less important to everyone else. It's just how it is.