Dinner Party celebrating daughter's birthday

[CaroPhoenix]

On Friday (July 6), I had a little dinner party celebrating my daughter's birthday party. I invited my folks & my in-laws. Surprisingly, no blood was drawn, and I never once had a panic attack. :D I'm very proud of myself.

However, my MIL does think I'm a little over sensitive. Hubby's 2 brothers have not sent Kelly a birthday card (her actualy birthday was July 8) nor have they sent her a birthday present. Hubby's bro #1 and his wife were like: "No invite to a party, no present for your kid."

WTF???? Hubby says they were joking. I can tell you they were not. Why should I whore my daughter for presents? What does that bring for her? Kelly got to shine in her own home, clinging to my mom & dad and occassionally bestowing some Kellylove on the in-laws.

I can understand if the BILs and SILs were living somewhere out of the state of VA and they couldn't afford to send a present. But not even a card? They live no more than 1 1/2 hours from us!

Question: Am I being too sensitive?

PS - my sister (who also wasn't invited to the dinner party) did give my daughter a present.

[Aldous]

I wouldn't worry too much about it, just don't show them the love when some other holiday comes around. Hamurabi said an eye for an eye.

[SnapAddict218]

Its just presents. Don't worry about it. If you don't make a big deal about it, then your daugher won't make a big deal out of it.

[strawbabies]

My dad has 2 brothers and 4 sisters. Only one of my aunts on that side of the family always made sure to remember holidays and birthdays. She's my favorite, and not just because of the gifts. She actually cared. The rest of 'em, well, I'm not close to at all. In fact, if I ran into them in the street, I wouldn't know who they were.

It doesn't bother me at all that my other aunts and uncles aren't a part of my life. That's just the way things are.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Yes, you are being too sensitive.

These people are assholes. Why should you care if they send present? It's just a thing, you know? They should give a gift because they love their neice. Not as a payment for supper.

And another thing, it's obvious they believe a purchased object is the prize one wins for showing affection. How screwed is that?

Be thankful you are finding out how little they matter this way. This is harmless. Don't even mention it to anyone, especially your daughter. They are to be pitied. Ignore the entire ugly thing.

[CaroPhoenix]

Upon further retrospection, ya'll are right and I am being too sensitive.

Recovering Kinkoid - thank you for your straight-forward post!! You're right about hubby's family, I just wish he'd see it himself.

I will not lower myself to their "standards". When the birthdays come around for the 2 daughters of BIL#1 and his wife, I'll be giving their daughters their birthday presents. Heck, I've already bought the present for their second daughter. I'll be mailing it as they always plan their daughter's birthday party on. my. birthday.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Good attitude. YOU do the right thing, regardless that they do or not. I always say "Let the other guy be the jerk."

At least you will provide an example for their children on what proper behavior is, because Lord knows they are not going to be getting any from their parents.