Anonymous wrote:Why are you inserting yourself?

Present options to husband.

He deals with his own mother.

Done.

You’re on this thread too? Move along, now.

Anonymous wrote:If my 6yo was mature enough to delay opening her Christmas presents until her dad got home from his work shift, then MIL can grow up and celebrate her 63rd birthday on the weekend.

Boom! Mic drop!
End of thread.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the heck does dinner need to be st 6:00? There is no reason it can’t be at 6:30. You and DS can join the dinner at 6:30. If MIL and DH want to get started at 6:00, have them do so. They can have a drink and appetizer before you arrive. Or the dinner can be on Sunday.

+1

In defense of old people (I studied geriatric psychology), they worry a LOT about food, they tend to eat dinner earlier than the younger set. Hence, early-bird specials. So I would suggest she pick another day when DS doesn't have a prior commitment.

Holy crap. My about-to-turn-7-year-old has sports practice on her upcoming midweek birthday. I told her she could skip if she wants and she said, "No, we can just go to dinner on the weekend." Why a GROWN WOMAN needs to celebrate on the actual day, I cannot imagine. And at a precise time no less!

Anonymous wrote:Why the heck does dinner need to be st 6:00? There is no reason it can’t be at 6:30. You and DS can join the dinner at 6:30. If MIL and DH want to get started at 6:00, have them do so. They can have a drink and appetizer before you arrive. Or the dinner can be on Sunday.

+1

If my 6yo was mature enough to delay opening her Christmas presents until her dad got home from his work shift, then MIL can grow up and celebrate her 63rd birthday on the weekend.

? Was supposed to be an emoji

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old is your DS?

In general, in this area I think we cater too much to our kids’ activity schedule and 5 years from now it’s not going to make a difference if he made this practice or not, and grandma could have passed on or have dementia. I’m also guilty of putting our kids’ schedule before everything else and I try to check myself because it’s ridiculous.

In general I agree with you, but we’re talking about having dinner at 6:30 instead of 6:00 - Come on!

I’m the pp. DS also could leave practice 30 minutes early.

I agree with you, neither option is a big deal but I would personally err on the side of making an old lady happy. Life’s short.

I would change my option if OP is Katie Ledeky’s mom or someone else who has her level of skill in their respective sports. My kids are definitely not at that level ?

I would stick to my guns. My ten year old had to celebrate on a different day because her dad was working. It was NBD. Grandma needs to get over herself!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old is your DS?

In general, in this area I think we cater too much to our kids’ activity schedule and 5 years from now it’s not going to make a difference if he made this practice or not, and grandma could have passed on or have dementia. I’m also guilty of putting our kids’ schedule before everything else and I try to check myself because it’s ridiculous.

In general I agree with you, but we’re talking about having dinner at 6:30 instead of 6:00 - Come on!

It would actually be 7, not 6:30; it’s nearly an hours drive.

Anonymous wrote:How old is your DS?

In general, in this area I think we cater too much to our kids’ activity schedule and 5 years from now it’s not going to make a difference if he made this practice or not, and grandma could have passed on or have dementia. I’m also guilty of putting our kids’ schedule before everything else and I try to check myself because it’s ridiculous.

In general I agree with you, but we’re talking about having dinner at 6:30 instead of 6:00 - Come on!

Anonymous wrote:How old is your DS?

In general, in this area I think we cater too much to our kids’ activity schedule and 5 years from now it’s not going to make a difference if he made this practice or not, and grandma could have passed on or have dementia. I’m also guilty of putting our kids’ schedule before everything else and I try to check myself because it’s ridiculous.

Why can’t grandma have her shrimp cocktail and Dover sole at 6:30?

“Sorry, having Larlo there on the day of your birthday just doesn’t work. We will be happy to have dinner with you as a family this weekend.”

Ignore all complaining.

She is selfish to not accommodate your simple requests. Dinner at 6:30 is the obvious choice. Let her know you and DS will be there at 6:30 and leave it at that.
(P.s. I would generally say no big deal to skip practice, but he already missed it last week, and you never know what next week will bring. We could have snow storm, logistical problems, etc.

18:48 here. I’d have DH give her the three options:
1) DH and MIL get started at 6:00 and you and DS get there late
2) Dinner reservations for 6:30 on weekday
3) Dinner reservations for 6:00 on weekend

Just because she wants 6:00 on the weekday doesn’t mean you all need to give in. It’s not a summons. And adult birthdays aren’t a big deal. She needs to grow up, as PP said. Is there a FIL in all this?

As a grandmother, I’d think she’d want to support her grandchild’s involvement in something he likes. DH should put it to her that way, that she’s really trying to deprive DS, not make some kind of point with you and DH.