Woman threatens to skip Thanksgiving if mom makes her brother-in-law a birthday cake.
Birthdays are conflicting for people. Some love their birthdays and enjoy the attention, while others (me) would rather the day come and go without a big hullabaloo. If you love your birthday, sharing the day with another big event defeats the purpose of having a birthday. On a popular Reddit thread on the Am I the A**hole Subreddit, one woman will pull out all the stops to make sure her birthday is hers and hers alone.
I was born on Thanksgiving. As a result, every year, we celebrate Thanksgiving AND my birthday on the same day. I get presents, my favorite leg, and ice cream. It’s how we’ve done it every year.
The other day my mother made a group chat and told the immediate family that we would have one extra guest. My BIL. His birthday falls this Friday. An entire week before Thanksgiving break.
My mom found this out and said we could have a joint birthday. I told her no, I didn’t want that. She argued that it was his birthday and she could do what she wanted. I flat out said if I see a cake made for him, I’m leaving, and I’m not coming back.
Yes, nobody else should be allowed to have a birthday around your birthday.
The group chat did not like that. Everyone started defending my mother, calling me a brat and selfish, but I didn’t want to share another thing that was supposed to be for me.
My high school graduation? Overshadowed by my Stepfathers retirement. Getting into college? My older brother got in, too (an entire semester before me).
I got overlooked so much that I paid for my senior and graduation pictures. (But I’m vain enough to gift those pictures to everyone for every occasion.)
So Reddit, AITA??
The internet is assessing the situation but can't seem to agree:
Appropriate-Camel367 says:
NTA (Not the A**hole), and I'm sorry you share your birthday with a holiday. I’m having our child a few days before Christmas, and it’s really important for us to make sure the two things are always separated. I know not every family thinks birthdays are as special as we do, but I understand why you’re hurt.
RB1327 says:
It seems pretty odd that your family would continue to celebrate your birthday on Thanksgiving even on all the years when the two dates don't align (Thanksgiving is a 'moving' holiday). NTA, I suppose.
kjlo78 says:
YTA (You're the A**hole). You are an adult. If you want your a separate celebration, then plan it. The reality is that people are busy, especially during the holidays. They don't have time to do three separate family get-togethers in one week.
nron says:
YTA. The date of Thanksgiving isn’t fixed so it’s not always your birthday, what gives you the right to claim it? You and your BIL both have birthdays around thanksgiving it makes sense to combine the celebrations. Quit acting like a spoiled five-year-old.
Well, OP, maybe have a birthday party separate from Thanksgiving, and don't invite your BIL to teach him a lesson! (The lesson is that he should've been born a month earlier or later).