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Step-parenting

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BM invites DH's family to SD's bday

108 replies

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:00

So DH has 2 exes (I can already envision the judgemental comments from some 😂): two sons from ex1 and one daughter from ex2 (the BM in question).

SD always ends up with her mother on her bday, her friends are closer there, so it's normal. Her mother decided after the separation with DH 11 years ago that she will keep his sons (her ex step sons) close. Each time it's SD's bday, she invites them. She doesn't have to, because she knows that DH ALWAYS does something for SD's bday and she also has a son from previous relationship as well as new step children and SD's friends. So she does have a crowd for SD's bday.

Now, once my stepsons went to SD's party, the're not going to celebrate her again, so when it's our turn to do something with her, it's basically just DH, me and our child as well as my other son, the same people she sees when she comes to stay with us EOW. So it's much more boring for SD who clearly doesn't even make it a priority. Today is her bday, the party was yesterday and she told DH that he can come see her, but then he needs to bring her to whatever other plans she's made. Obviously when it's like this, I'm not going to come with my children, because we'll be just waiting for her to wake up late from the party (outside in the car), then driving her elsewhere.

If my stepsons were available, we could have had a bigger and nice gathering.
I know that people have the right to do whatever they want, but does it feel that BM has been overstepping all these years?

OP posts:
OctopusHands · 09/11/2025 18:04

How old is she?

I think he needs to make his own traditions with her for her birthday.

To be honest, a lot of being a parent as they get older is driving them about so they can have a nice time with their friends

HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf · 09/11/2025 18:07

Honestly don’t see why you’ve got a petted lip about a mother inviting her daughter’s step-brothers to her birthday party. It’s a nice thing to do for the girl.

Zempy · 09/11/2025 18:08

I think you sound a bit petulant. She was there first!!!

Hoardasurass · 09/11/2025 18:17

So her mum who was a stepmother to these boys invited her dds half brothers to her bday party and you've got your nose out of joint?
I really don't see what your upset about, did it never occur to you that your stepdaughter might want her older brothers at her party?

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:17

HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf · 09/11/2025 18:07

Honestly don’t see why you’ve got a petted lip about a mother inviting her daughter’s step-brothers to her birthday party. It’s a nice thing to do for the girl.

Let me explain it to you better: because she can see my husband's sons, her half-brothers, when she's with him. Once she invites them, their father can not invite them again, because they obviously have other things in their life other than their half-sister. Clearer now?

OP posts:
Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:19

Zempy · 09/11/2025 18:08

I think you sound a bit petulant. She was there first!!!

I think you sound a bit petulant too. My DH was there first when he had his sons if you want to talk about seniority.

OP posts:
Loadsapandas · 09/11/2025 18:19

Do you,DH and your DC not get invited?

LivingDeadGirlUK · 09/11/2025 18:20

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:17

Let me explain it to you better: because she can see my husband's sons, her half-brothers, when she's with him. Once she invites them, their father can not invite them again, because they obviously have other things in their life other than their half-sister. Clearer now?

I don't get this at all, there is no reason at all your husband can't invite all his kids over on the same day.

Tryingatleast · 09/11/2025 18:20

I honestly think it’s fine and nice for the kids, I’d say it would be fine for him to invite them too,it’s a given they’ll have a busy life with siblings

HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf · 09/11/2025 18:21

Honestly, not really. Daughter wants to be with her mum, mum invites her half-brothers, daughter is happy on HER birthday. Surely that’s the whole point?

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:21

OctopusHands · 09/11/2025 18:04

How old is she?

I think he needs to make his own traditions with her for her birthday.

To be honest, a lot of being a parent as they get older is driving them about so they can have a nice time with their friends

We tried to make a tradition, but the issue is that it's only our little family as the 2 brothers are not present. And how can we tell them not to go when the're invited? Unless we do her bday the week before? You just gave me a good idea for next year! Thank you

OP posts:
PractisingMyTelekenipsis · 09/11/2025 18:22

So her Mum invites her half brothers to her party? How lovely of her.
If they choose not to also celebrate with you then that's not her fault.

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:23

Hoardasurass · 09/11/2025 18:17

So her mum who was a stepmother to these boys invited her dds half brothers to her bday party and you've got your nose out of joint?
I really don't see what your upset about, did it never occur to you that your stepdaughter might want her older brothers at her party?

Are you not able to read? If my SS are my DH's sons, don't you think that they can be for SD's bday with us? The mother has her own son and her own new SS, SD's boyfriend, her friends.... And we are just the same little family that SD sees when she comes.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 09/11/2025 18:24

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:19

I think you sound a bit petulant too. My DH was there first when he had his sons if you want to talk about seniority.

😂😂😂 he literally was there first!
My DD had lots of gatherings for her birthday when she was younger - with me, with her DF, with her friends! You’re overthinking this as well as being a bit shitty calling her ‘BM’. Your stepdaughter only has one mother.

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:24

Loadsapandas · 09/11/2025 18:19

Do you,DH and your DC not get invited?

No, BM never wanted me close, talked behind my back, etc. so it's no longer an option.

OP posts:
Smartiepants79 · 09/11/2025 18:26

I really can’t work out what she’s doing wrong. She has invited her daughter’s half siblings to her birthday party. I think it’s rather good that she’s worked to maintain the relationship between them.
You and your DH can do whatever you want, invite them all round and do your own thing. What kid doesn’t love having 2 birthday parties!

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:26

LivingDeadGirlUK · 09/11/2025 18:20

I don't get this at all, there is no reason at all your husband can't invite all his kids over on the same day.

It's just that if the BM organises a party in the evening and invites SS, SD wouldn't want to do something else in the morning and will be stressed. DH already tried to see her before the party and it really feels more like you're disturbing her. Obviously, the SS won't want to be occupied with birthday the whole day too.

OP posts:
Hoardasurass · 09/11/2025 18:27

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:23

Are you not able to read? If my SS are my DH's sons, don't you think that they can be for SD's bday with us? The mother has her own son and her own new SS, SD's boyfriend, her friends.... And we are just the same little family that SD sees when she comes.

Wow rude and massively overreacting its her birthday and she gets to invite who she wants not who you think should be invited. You need to back off before you damage your stepdaughters relationship with her dad

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 09/11/2025 18:28

PractisingMyTelekenipsis · 09/11/2025 18:22

So her Mum invites her half brothers to her party? How lovely of her.
If they choose not to also celebrate with you then that's not her fault.

This is the TLDR best explanation! Basically siblings gather for a birthday?

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:28

HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf · 09/11/2025 18:21

Honestly, not really. Daughter wants to be with her mum, mum invites her half-brothers, daughter is happy on HER birthday. Surely that’s the whole point?

Honestly, they are older and they are not THAT close to say that they absolutely have to be at the party organized by the mother and not with us.

OP posts:
FrangipaniBlue · 09/11/2025 18:28

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:17

Let me explain it to you better: because she can see my husband's sons, her half-brothers, when she's with him. Once she invites them, their father can not invite them again, because they obviously have other things in their life other than their half-sister. Clearer now?

It was perfectly clear in your OP I think we’re just a bit perplexed as to why this is an issue if the birthday girl is happy with the arrangements?

Anuta77 · 09/11/2025 18:30

PractisingMyTelekenipsis · 09/11/2025 18:22

So her Mum invites her half brothers to her party? How lovely of her.
If they choose not to also celebrate with you then that's not her fault.

They can not dedicate the whole weekend to their half-sister, can they? It's not that they love the ex SM more (if that's what's your trying to insinuate), it's a question of time.
And no, she's not lovely, she knows very well what it does.

OP posts:
Nopayrise · 09/11/2025 18:30

Soontobe60 · 09/11/2025 18:24

😂😂😂 he literally was there first!
My DD had lots of gatherings for her birthday when she was younger - with me, with her DF, with her friends! You’re overthinking this as well as being a bit shitty calling her ‘BM’. Your stepdaughter only has one mother.

This. She’s not adopted. The woman is her mother, end of.

Maybe with your attitude your stepsons prefer spending time with her / prefer the parties she organises!

TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl · 09/11/2025 18:30

Are any of the children involved yours @Anuta77 ? Do you and birthday girls dad share children?

PInkyStarfish · 09/11/2025 18:32

I expect everyone’s worn out by the time he’s on wife number 3.

Rod Stewart seems to have got the knack of keeping all the ex wives and children on an even keel and getting on with one another so perhaps your husband should take a leaf out of his book and have a word with you about keeping the peace.