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Entitled Lady Plans A Party In Friend’s Yard For Free, Asks Mom To Keep Her Kid Out Of Sight
Entitled Lady Plans A Party In Friend’s Yard For Free, Asks Mom To Keep Her Kid Out Of Sight

Entitled Lady Plans A Party In Friend’s Yard For Free, Asks Mom To Keep Her Kid Out Of Sight

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Generosity is a beautiful thing, until it meets entitlement head-on and crashes. Some people see kindness as an open bar: take all you want and maybe toss in a ridiculous request while you’re at it.

The line between grateful and greedy gets blurry fast, especially when someone acts like your stuff is part of their birthday package.

That’s the situation one mom found herself in when she offered to lend her garden to another parent for her son’s birthday but was told her own son is not invited, because he might outshine the birthday boy. Rude.

More info: Mumsnet

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    When audacity meets generosity, it throws a party and forgets to invite gratitude as a guest

    Mom and son on a yellow couch, with houseplants in the background.

    Image credits: mubwan / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    One woman offers her own backyard, for free, to a fellow parent for her son’s birthday, but is shocked to learn her own son is not invited to the party

    Text discussing a dedicated garden sports area for teaching and play.

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    Text about kids' garden parties and playdates, related to mom's free venue request.

    Text from a mom discussing finding a sports venue for her son’s birthday.

    Child at birthday party in outdoor venue, smiling, with balloons and table setting in background.

    Image credits: seventyfour / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    The woman’s husband, a former athlete, created a space in their backyard with plenty of sporting equipment for their 8-year-old son to play with friends

    Text about a mom getting a free venue for a son’s birthday party suggestion from a host.

    Text screenshot about a son's party arrangements in a garden venue.

    Boy holding a soccer ball at a birthday party in a grassy park.

    Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    Another mom tells the woman her son would love a space like that for his birthday, so the husband offers their backyard for free, but they learn their own son can’t join

    Text discussing a mom's concern about her son outshining at a free birthday venue.

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    Text message discussing assumptions about a birthday party invitation for a child.

    Text screenshot about a mom's request to keep her son away from a party so he doesn't outshine another child.

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    Text update mentioning son's party; excitement over invitation assumptions.

    Text message discussing party invitation changes for a child's birthday.

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    Text about prioritizing a child, discussing ease of a reluctant invitation without their knowledge versus canceling late.

    Image credits: idontunderstandwhy

    The woman seeks advice online, wondering if she should cancel the party or ask her son to stay inside during that time

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    The OP (original poster) and her husband, a former competitive athlete and coach, built a mini sports training haven right in their backyard. It’s where their 8-year-old son and his friends spend hours playing, learning, and showing off their skills.

    So, when another mom at a playdate mentioned her son would love to do something similar for his birthday, but she couldn’t find a venue, the OP’s husband generously offered their backyard. He even said they could use the sports equipment. How wholesome is that?

    The party was planned, entertainment booked, snacks sorted. Everything was going smoothly until the birthday boy’s mom dropped a bizarre request: the OP’s son shouldn’t attend the party. Why? Because she was worried that since it’s his house and he’s good at sports, it might “steal the spotlight” from the birthday boy. Oh, the horror!

    Now, our OP was never given a formal invite for her son, that’s true, but she (and probably all of us) assumed that if you’re literally hosting a party and lending out your gear, for free, mind you, your kid would be allowed to attend. Silly her. So, what to do? Should her own child be banished indoors while a bunch of other kids take over his backyard? Or should she just cancel the offer? The dilemma is real, folks!

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    But honestly now, why should the homeowner’s kid have to tiptoe around in his own home? If his mom bans him from his own backyard while other kids play there, it can cause rejection trauma that he will have to deal with for a long time.

    Woman in gray cardigan on phone, looking concerned in a modern office, discusses son's birthday venue arrangement.

    Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    Yep, rejection trauma is real and it hits hard. It’s that emotional punch you get when someone close to you, especially a parent, sends the message that you’re not wanted, or when you’re left out or abandoned by someone you trust, even if it’s subtle. Kids are like sponges when it comes to feelings, and being excluded from your own space can feel like being told you don’t belong.

    Signs can show up later as people-pleasing, fear of abandonment, or avoiding social situations altogether. So yeah, this isn’t just about a birthday party—it’s a “my mom chose someone else’s kid over me” memory in the making. It might be a good idea for the OP to ditch the entitled parent and stick by her own kid’s side.

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    Because entitled folks will always believe the world owes them something. Entitlement isn’t just about someone eating the last slice of cake—it’s a mindset where a person believes they deserve special treatment, praise, maybe even someone else’s backyard, without doing anything to earn it.

    Entitled people tend to disregard others’ needs, expect favors without reciprocation, and flip out when they’re told “no.” The best way to deal with them? Keep your boundaries firm, stay cool, and don’t fall into the trap of over-explaining.

    So, readers, what’s your take on this story? What would you do if you were the poster—let the party go on or shut it down fast? Drop your thoughts and comments below!

    Netizens are shocked by the mom’s audacity, suggesting the woman cancel the party or charge a fee for the space and gear

    Text comment on entitled mom demanding birthday favor, suggesting charging for equipment use.

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    Mom gets free birthday venue, but demands host keep her son from stealing spotlight with witty comment.

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    Comment suggesting cancellation of child's party venue reservation.

    Comment on rude response to free venue offer for son's birthday.

    Text screenshot discussing mom's unreasonable demand for son's birthday venue.

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    Commentary on entitled mom demanding venue host separates son at birthday party.

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    User comment criticizing a mom about demanding venue restrictions for son’s birthday.

    Text screenshot discussing mom's request to keep son away at free birthday venue.

    Comment by MasterOfOne about parenting and demanding behavior.

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    Comment on mom getting free venue and keeping son away so he doesn’t outshine other kid.

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    Poll Question

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    Monica Selvi

    Monica Selvi

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hi! I'm Moni. I’m a globetrotting creative with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other. I’ve lived in 4 different countries, an visited 17, soaking up inspiration wherever I go. A marketer by trade but a writer at heart, I’ve been crafting stories, poems, and songs, and creating quirky characters since I was 7.

    Read less »
    Monica Selvi

    Monica Selvi

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Hi! I'm Moni. I’m a globetrotting creative with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other. I’ve lived in 4 different countries, an visited 17, soaking up inspiration wherever I go. A marketer by trade but a writer at heart, I’ve been crafting stories, poems, and songs, and creating quirky characters since I was 7.

    What do you think ?
    Paul C
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just a thought, but I wonder who would be legally responsible if someone had an accident at the party? I might be tempted to use that as a reason to cancel, as a cancel is definitely deserved for that attitude.

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The owners of the property *always* are at fault, hence the suggestion that people using your property get liability insurance. I’m surprised mom simply seemed perfectly happy for strangers to be participating in SPORTS on her property! (Though maybe she grew up like I did, on a huge property on which *any* kinda sport could be played, and liability didn’t cross our minds.) (Plenty of people were crippled or decapitated hitting clotheslines on snowmobiles, too.) (Not on *our* property, thank cow (that I know of, anyway), but it happened a LOT all over the place.) I’m picturing her windows being broken at minimum, and kids twisting ankles and knees, and not just families of the injured suing but all the other families, too, because “trauma for witnessing that!” It sounds like a nightmare letting people get rowdy our your properties these days, at least in the US.

    Load More Replies...
    June
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Easy : "oh we thought our son was invited, that's why we offered to do this for free, but nevermind, sorry for the confusion we will come to you with a contract for renting place and equipment for at least xxx $, let me check this with our lawyer". Game set and match. I'm assuming he would be invited - not reluctantly - after that 🙃 And if they prefer to pay, just offer a great time to your kid with the money, for whatever he enjoys 🤘

    *raspberry sound
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The fail here is... AW, man!! Mel beat me to it :(

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You gotta be on the ball if you wanna insert accusations of premarital s*x every post because Mel is on the ball and needs to be the first to discuss s*x! (Mel obviously has s*x on the brain, and I’m crazy-curious to see Mel’s browser history, as I’m dying to know zactly how twisted it is! I’m already laughing wondering whether the searches are of the “Is a hand on a b**b over clothing a sin?” variety, or are they (more likely!) of the “Is it gay if twin disabled Asian dwarves peg me while my Pomeranian watches?” variety. 🤣 (ETA: You got me started laughing with your post, and then thinking about how Mel spends its You gotta be on the ball if you wanna insert accusations of premarital s*x every post because Mel is on the ball and needs to be the first to discuss s*x! (Mel obviously has s*x on the brain, and I’m crazy-curious to see Mel’s browser history, as I’m dying to know zactly how twisted it is! I’m already laughing wondering whether the searches are of the “Is a hand on a b**b over clothing a sin?” variety, or are they (more likely!) of the “Is it gay if twin disabled Asian dwarves peg me while my Pomeranian watches?” variety. 🤣 (ETA: You got me started laughing with your post, and then thinking about how Mel spends its days pushed me over the edge, and I’m off to change my panties! Thanks a whole lot! 🤬 (😉)

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    Paul C
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just a thought, but I wonder who would be legally responsible if someone had an accident at the party? I might be tempted to use that as a reason to cancel, as a cancel is definitely deserved for that attitude.

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The owners of the property *always* are at fault, hence the suggestion that people using your property get liability insurance. I’m surprised mom simply seemed perfectly happy for strangers to be participating in SPORTS on her property! (Though maybe she grew up like I did, on a huge property on which *any* kinda sport could be played, and liability didn’t cross our minds.) (Plenty of people were crippled or decapitated hitting clotheslines on snowmobiles, too.) (Not on *our* property, thank cow (that I know of, anyway), but it happened a LOT all over the place.) I’m picturing her windows being broken at minimum, and kids twisting ankles and knees, and not just families of the injured suing but all the other families, too, because “trauma for witnessing that!” It sounds like a nightmare letting people get rowdy our your properties these days, at least in the US.

    Load More Replies...
    June
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Easy : "oh we thought our son was invited, that's why we offered to do this for free, but nevermind, sorry for the confusion we will come to you with a contract for renting place and equipment for at least xxx $, let me check this with our lawyer". Game set and match. I'm assuming he would be invited - not reluctantly - after that 🙃 And if they prefer to pay, just offer a great time to your kid with the money, for whatever he enjoys 🤘

    *raspberry sound
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The fail here is... AW, man!! Mel beat me to it :(

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You gotta be on the ball if you wanna insert accusations of premarital s*x every post because Mel is on the ball and needs to be the first to discuss s*x! (Mel obviously has s*x on the brain, and I’m crazy-curious to see Mel’s browser history, as I’m dying to know zactly how twisted it is! I’m already laughing wondering whether the searches are of the “Is a hand on a b**b over clothing a sin?” variety, or are they (more likely!) of the “Is it gay if twin disabled Asian dwarves peg me while my Pomeranian watches?” variety. 🤣 (ETA: You got me started laughing with your post, and then thinking about how Mel spends its You gotta be on the ball if you wanna insert accusations of premarital s*x every post because Mel is on the ball and needs to be the first to discuss s*x! (Mel obviously has s*x on the brain, and I’m crazy-curious to see Mel’s browser history, as I’m dying to know zactly how twisted it is! I’m already laughing wondering whether the searches are of the “Is a hand on a b**b over clothing a sin?” variety, or are they (more likely!) of the “Is it gay if twin disabled Asian dwarves peg me while my Pomeranian watches?” variety. 🤣 (ETA: You got me started laughing with your post, and then thinking about how Mel spends its days pushed me over the edge, and I’m off to change my panties! Thanks a whole lot! 🤬 (😉)

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