All alone on my birthday

Sorry to hear this CrazyH. I don't think it's actually being unreasonable but more hurt feelings. It doesn't matter how old we get we all like to think we're considered when it comes to occasions. Totally understand too about your family's commitments - it's a difficult balancing act for sure.

Take the opportunity now, with a bit of time to plan, to do something a little different. Lunch with friends, drinks in the garden with a chosen few, lots of nice nibbles etc, to name a few. Hope the weather holds out too as that always makes a difference.

Enjoy your day and keep your chin up

Arrange something with friends and enjoy.

How about a second Birthday and celebrate when your family are available?

Ahh that’s a shame CrazyH I understand how you feel
I ve been on my own for some years and on the whole quite enjoy it but when a birthday comes by it’s nice to have someone from the family to share it with.
I know it’s not the same but can you delay it a couple of weeks and arrange a belated get together
Do you think they realise ? Mad they are all going away same fortnight

Oh that’s hard. Your birthday falls in the school summer holidays so probably not easy to coordinate a get together. Be like the late Queen. Have two birthdays and on your ‘unofficial’ one maybe mid September? Plan something then & tie your family down. Good luck!

Of course you're not being unreasonable crazy .

I think it’s very natural to feel a bit sad if you’ve been looking forward to your birthday.

Like others have said give yourself an ‘official’ birthday. Set the date now and tell them all to put it in their diaries. Then you have a day to look forward to.

Then I’d probably take myself off to a spa for my birthday,to be thoroughly pampered🙂

You're not unreasonable at all, crazy. Please take some of the good advice here and enjoy both of your birthdays- the August one and the other at a date of your choosing.
Mine was last week, so your situation is familiar to me.

I know how you must feel it is hard they are all away. Try and arrange something nice with friends and a get together with family when they are back.

Yes, have an official birthday too so you can celebrate with family.

Do you have a friend or friends who'd like to go out to lunch with you on your birthday?

I have actually made a point of being away on my birthday, as I know my feelings would probably be hurt if I was alone, and I don’t think there would be a family meeting to plan something, so I go away while I’m able. I know we never did make a big deal of birthdays, and as there were only a couple of weeks between the Bodach’s birthday and mine, we usually went away , so I’ve continued to do so.

Thankyou all for your kind replies - I might ask my neighbour who is also lives on her own, to join me for a pub lunch .

I'm usually alone on my birthday. This year was an exception as it fell on a Friday. My elder daughter can finish work early if she has completed her hours and she came the 40 miles to visit me in the late afternoon.

I expect to be on my own Christmas Day as well, but that is not unusual.

Have Birthay cake every day all month!

Happy Birthday August crazyH !!!!

My birthday falls just after New Year's Day; lots of people over the years have forgotten as they are still in holiday mode! I don't really mind, am used to it. My children do visit, but none of us feel like going out for a meal so soon after Christmas and New Year, so it's a big non-event. I keep saying I'll celebrate it in July instead, just haven't got around to it. 🙄

My birthday is not until September, but this will be the third year I will be on my own since my DH went into a care home. Last Christmas I was also on my own and never saw or spoke (apart from two texts) to anyone for 9 days!

Luckily we have never been big events people which is just as well, but it is still lonely and depressing.

Norah

Have Birthay cake every day all month!

Happy Birthday August crazyH !!!!

I could just eat a piece of that cake.

But it's not my birthday.

Oh Crazy I’m so sorry it’s worked out that they’ve all chosen the same fortnight. Being bang in the middle of the school holidays parents with children are likely to be away but it’s a pity it’s worked out this way.

I think a pub lunch with your neighbour is a lovely idea and you could book a later date for a family get-together. I think you’ve made a good decision.

Thankyou Norah - that cake looks yummy - I will enjoy it !

crazyH

Thankyou Norah - that cake looks yummy - I will enjoy it !

Remind us on the 14th and we'll share the cake and bring some 🥂🍾, soft drinks also provided!

I am divorced, retired, with adult offspring all with their own homes, children and careers to manage. Quite honestly I’m a grown-up and it really doesn’t bother me in the slightest whether I see any of the family on or near to my birthday. My siblings and I don’t exchange gifts or cards though my sister might text, or just put a message on Facebook. My son texted the following weekend, one daughter texted on the day and dropped a card and gift round a fortnight later when she needed me to look after her dog!

If I didn’t hear from either daughter I’d probably wonder why, but I wouldn’t mention it and I really wouldn’t be upset!

I also have an August birthday and it's always been holiday time so not much different.
I have booked a lovely hotel for 2 for afternoon tea and invited a lovely girlfriend who's excited to come.
I may organise some other treats. There's a Festival in Edinburgh which is always nice. ☺️

I have stopped relying on my children so I'm never disappointed.

I hope you find something nice to do crazyH .

I turned 80 last week and realised about three weeks earlier that if I didn't do something, I would be alone on my birthday. So I invited two couples I know well and cooked for them. They brought wine and flowers and we had a very convivial evening. I did miss the AC, but it would have been impossible for them to be with me on a weekday.

crazyH

I’ve always liked my birthdays. That’s the only day of the year, when I get a bit of attention. The rest of the time, I am the one who gives, gives, gives……. my time, my money, my attention.
My bday is on 14th August. It’s not a big birthday, All
my 3 children and their families, live locally. I see them regularly. However, they have all planned holidays (separate) on the fortnight of my birthday, and I am feeling quite hurt. I know they have young children and August is the only month, during which they can get away.
I feel guilty for feeling like this. I am divorced and live on my own. I have lovely neighbours and I’m sure I could ask one of them to go out for lunch with me but it’s not the same as family.
Btw this is the first time, that I will be alone on my birthday - hence these hurt feelings. AIBU ?

No you’re def not unreasonable, it’s natural to feel hurt that none of the family have taken your birthday into consideration and the fact you will be on your own.
Time to reconsider all the time money and attention that you constantly give them in my view.
Sit back and bit and do things for yourself.Learn to say no.
Yes, do plan something with a friend or neighbour on the day.