Gransnet forums

AIBU

Forgotten birthday!

(53 Posts)
Curlywhirly Sun 17-Mar-24 10:31:27

My birthday is the 1st week in January - and occasionally it's forgotten by both friends and family! I'm not all bothered, no one forgets on purpose. I can remember seeing a programme about a mother who'd lost a child to cot death - she said that we shouldn't waste time worrying about inconsequental things, such as someone forgetting your birthday; concentrate on positives instead. A very sad sentiment, but it certainly made me put things in perspective. As I said, no one forgets on purpose.

BlueBelle Sun 17-Mar-24 10:17:43

This is sad for you, but our kids lead busy lives I know my son in NZ loves me and we speak once a week, and I look forward to that He dies always remember my birthday but I do wonder if I d get cards if it wasn’t for his wife 😀
Why not mention it and just say I know you re busy and a long way away but I do miss you remembering my birthday it would mean such a lot to me (or could his sister say it if you don’t want to ) I think sometimes our kids in their busyness don’t realise how much these things mean to us especially when you don’t have regular contact and maybe he just needs a little reminder

lippyqueen Sun 17-Mar-24 10:09:09

I’m trying very hard not to feel too hurt or needy but my son who lives in Australia forgot my birthday yesterday. I’m not sure how to process it. I know he leads a busy life, as do all our grown up children with families and lives of their own, but it feels more and more that my “mother/son” relationship gets pushed to the back of the queue! He has a wife, 2 children and lovely lifestyle in Australia for which I am very pleased but this has been at the expense of a quite distant relationship with me and his sister and family (who live quite close by me). His father passed away many years ago. I know we should all feel very pleased and grateful that our children are happy in their lives but I really wonder sometimes if everything to do with family just becomes a “duty” and a bit of thought might not go amiss.