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Would it be appropriate so share I got a canoe for my 40th birthday, and a canoe trip?
I spent my 40th working a 14 hour shift, outside in pissing Scottish rain in February and living in a crappy hotel.
Still preferable to Centre Parks....
Hired a PA and had a rave on a remote beach for mine 🙂
No, you're not being ungrateful as you've already been and told her you didn't like it.
Sounds like, for YOUR birthday, she's bought HERSELF a present.
Had the OP realised that Center Parcs might be better with athan a hotel. Afterall in a cabin you have a lounge to relax in and a kitchen whe you can prep bottles, food etc. You aren't likely to get that in a normal hotel room. Also will the hotel have kid friendly restaurant opening times and be happy if it screams the place down? Center Parcs have that all covered.
I've got an alps/Pyrenees pass for mine! 😀
Skin t though so will probably end up in wales:/
Would this be an opportune moment to mention that my wife bought me a CX bike for my 40th?
Would this be an opportune moment to mention that your wife brought me to Centreparcs for her 40th?
mattbee - MemberBirthdays are for kids though, aren't they? A nearly 40 year old man upset about not getting the celebrations he wants? They may let you take your balloon dog on the bouncy castle if you smile, so chin up little dude.
It's pretty common practice to celebrate birthdays all the way through life. Grandparents even get presents, cakes with candles and all that. Maybe not so many goody bags and bouncy castles later in life though.
In other words, maybe its just your friends and family who don't celebrate your birthday. 😉
Accelerated Freefall skydiving course in Spain for mine!
Would this be an opportune moment to mention that your wife brought me to Centreparcs for her 40th?
BUT I GOT A NEW BIKE!
Went all Mumsnet and asked Mrs Squirrel. She agrees you're not at all being unreasonable, pretty much said everything that has been said already.
Just think it's a bit childish. Yeah, get a card and a present or two, but the whole 'gong away for my birthday' thing, I (and luckily for me I suppose my wife too) just don't really get. Maybe I didn't get invited to enough parties as a kid, or something but I think it's just a bit 'meh' making a big deal out of birthdays once you're an adult.
Strange thing is loads of people say they don't do Christmas but say the same about birthdays and it's like I've fed their trail dog chocolate or something...
I'm going to Aviemore for my 40th. It's like centreparcs but without the fences. 🙂
(You are being ungrateful too. Suck it up, let them be disappointed or make the most of it. It may well turn out to be awesome. You don't know until you try)
you are about to turn 40 and you have a 4 month old kid.
You've already lived your life way more than most.
Now sup it up old boy
😉
Reminds me of the American guy who bought his wife a ride on lawnmower for their wedding anniversary. The following year she bought him a pair of diamond earrings from Tiffany & Co.
Remember Center Parcs when your other half's 40th comes around.
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Well the OP is clearly:
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Well, I've skim read most of the responses since the OP and the thing that sprung to mind whilst reading the OP and subsequent skimming was....
Emotional intelligence. As in, where is it? And what hope does the future hold for humankind? 😯
I also give this marriage no more than 2 more years.
The rights and wrongs of who did what are quite frankly irrelevant. What is relevant is [b]how[/b] the OP has reacted. You sound like a grumpy 3 year old and chances are, your wife has realised she has 2 children to look after, rather than just the one, 4 month old - who possibly has just a little less emotional intelligence than her father...
Alternatively, this is all massively tongue in cheek, in which case, as you were.
Are you sure it's all as it seems? Is there a surprise party? Friends family gathering involved. With a young Un maybe the missus wanted to celebrate with you but is too frazzled to go with anything but a relatively easy option.
Emotional intelligence. As in, where is it? And what hope does the future hold for humankind?I also give this marriage no more than 2 more years.
I'm not sure that making idle speculations about people's marriages breaking up is a great display of emotional intelligence TBH.
Under normal circumstances i'd have some sympathy with you, but i'm sorry to say that in the context that your wife has just recently given birth then maybe your proper 40th birthday bash can wait a year. Maybe your wife did book up CP partly for convenience and ease on her part but it's a brave man who would accuse her of that. CP is a great place to take a young kid, far better than just a normal hotel with a 4 month old in tow, and I wouldn't blame her if she's thinking about the convenience thing and filling the time during the day with stuff to do with the little one all available with the ultimate convenience.
So yes, it's only a birthday, you have one every year and you can have a proper bash to mark your 40th next year to your own liking. This year is all about the kiddy and the mum. It's not as if she's dragging you along to somewhere unpleasant. CP is a jolly nice place to spend a few days or a week (despite the haters), not sure how a hotel somewhere out in the sticks would be any better in terms of convenience, facilities, activities and things to do on your doorstep. 4 Month olds don't appreciate the picturesque view or the attractive rugged coast line, or the rolling hills or tall mountains. CP is not forced fun as some have said - believe it or not you choose what you want to do when you want to do it, IF you want to do it.
So I say suck it up this year, earn some brownie points and you have a year to plan something properly special for next year. It is done, if you go into it with a crappy attitude determined not to enjoy it, you won't and you'll P** your wife off in the process. And I know from experience that a p'd off post natal wife is a force to be reckoned with.
Ask your close friends/family if they're around that weekend , if not, there may be a surprise....
I also got a bike for my 40th.....just saying. 😉
Deleted. Can't be arsed to argue.
wobbliscott +1,
new babies aren't easy on anyone, but probably hardest on your wife. My latest edition has been on a couple of cottage holidays since being born in May and our usual pre Christmas family bash at Longleet CP. There is something great about parking the car on the Friday and not going near it until Monday. One restaurant at CP had a complete range of complimentry baby food and everything you cold possibly need. You just walk everywhere and it is buggy friendly with a full range of comedy body art to laugh at when you swim.
I'd have to get used to the idea as that is what holidays look like from now on now we are a family.
Is it? Did you ask why? I've never heard of family holidays being restricted to centre parcs only.
I feel your pain, if your wife wanted to go try the place then another time would have been more suitable rather than springing it on you for your birthday. In my opinion your wife is over thinking things and coming up with answers for problems that don't exist.
Bah, I guess you'll have to go now though.
Edit: it might be good, I don't know though we (me, wife and kids) have never been
Can't be arsed reading the whole thread so apologies if this had already bren mentioned. I'd be more concerned that my other half thinks centre parks is what I want for my 40th. Tbh I blame you for not booking your own family holiday. I've already told my Mrs for my 40th I'm booking a chalet in Morzine for 2 weeks in summer and the bikes/kids will be taken.
But seen as its too late for that, tell your Mrs thanks for booking somewhere with such good mtbing in the area and spend a couple of hours every other day on the bike. I actually think you'll enjoy it-kids may be young but they love new/different environments and they'll be knackered and sleep while you [s]go out on the bike[/s] spend some time with the other half.
A point that seems to be missed is that his wife knew he hated cp as he'd been before. What she actually knew was that he hated a spa day, which is a bit different.
earn some brownie points
/s****s
A lot of women become seduced by the idea of the perfect family. My wife seems to have this vision of me happily pushing a trolley full of flowers around a garden centre while we spend hours choosing garden ornaments.
Garden centres. 😡
Send me to Center Parcs anytime.
I've already told my Mrs for my 40th I'm booking a chalet in Morzine for 2 weeks in summer and the bikes/kids will be taken.
Wayhey, great minds 😆
FWIW, my wife took me to Krakow for my 40th so I could visit Auschwitz (a long-held wish).
Waterslides are fun.
MILFs on waterslides are funner.
I really need to go to Center Parcs again...
My wife bought me a new BMX and a FoD uplift day for my 40th. Not to be used at the same time mind
In terms of being ungrateful, everyone has pretty much summed up all the possible responses. Currently I can't decide which side of the fence I'd go, so I'm sitting on it instead.
A point that seems to be missed is that his wife knew he hated cp as he'd been before. What she actually knew was that he hated a spa day, which is a bit different.
but i expect the OP and others would happily book a nice spa hotel weekend for the other half's 40th and while it’s not their ideal way to spend a weekend you get a happy partner and relaxing weekend.
is it too much to expect a similar compromise for his birthday in return?
Unfortunately women in our society aren't brought up to buy decent presents.
That said, obviously she's done it with good intentions and you should go along and see if you can enjoy yourself (you will, family will be there, and you are allowed in and out!).
Don't forget to book a nice weekend away somewhere more suitable for your needs for her birthday surprise though, if this hasn't been suggested several times already.
Sounds like Mrs cheers_drive has had advice from others (in the context of her being a new mother and wanting family friendly) or it's a surprise party.
The former is understandable, but the latter is unforgivable.
Anyway, time for the OP and his wife to resolve this like adults.
Unfortunately women in our society aren't brought up to buy decent presents.
Wow. I'm amazed you're able to post this on the internet seeing as you appear to live in 1872
philjunior see my post two above yours. Plus quite a few others on the last page as well
Some people have read far too much in to my OP. I talked to my wife yesterday and I understand her reasoning, even if CP wouldn't be my first choice. We will be going as a family and will have a relaxing weekend.
So what should I get my wife for her birthday in April...
Just a card & blame me.
So what should I get my wife for her birthday in April...
Antur Stiniog uplift weekend!!!!!!
get the wife a trip to centre parcs.. i think she'll love it ( just putting it out there !) 🙂
Although a new titanium frame might be better
I'm glad my Wife is into biking as much as me! 🙂
She'd never make me go anywhere I didn't want to.
Just realised the last decent birthday or Christmas present I got off the wife was before we had kids. Eldest now 12......
So what should I get my wife for her birthday in April...
A new bike, clearly.