I am not a huge Birthday Party mom. I have done a few for each child but mostly it is just family and I would rather spend money on more important things the kids need. BM has decided SD needs a sweet 16 party and is now asking my DH to help pay for it, If you want to have one fine but since you are already griping that you don't have money for gas to pick up SD 3/4 of the way between our homes I would thing maybe you should not have decided to have a party then decide how to pay for it! I know I am being petty but it is right after the holidays and BM's anticts latley are pissing me off.
Re: Sweet 16 party
Truthfully, I don't get the big deal about Sweet 16 parties. I didn't have one, my sisters didn't have one, and most of my friends didn't have them either. Maybe in some areas of the Country they're more common and expected, but here in Orange County, CA they aren't a big deal. For my 16th birthday it happened to be the first day of school and that weekend was Labor Day weekend so everyone was out of town. I like to think I turned out ok...
If your DH doesn't want to (or can't) chip in, then tell BM "no". Let BM have her party, and you and DH do something different for SD, Let her pick a few friends and go out to a nice dinner or something she would enjoy. Or use the money that would be spent for a party on a fabulous gift for her.
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This. Exactly.
Ditto.
Ditto.
That stinks I wouldn't continue that tradition. SM had already planned everything and then decided it was going to be expensive and asked for the money. We live four hours apart so it is already going to cost us extra gas and hotel to even attend the party, but her friends are there so it makes sense to have it near her home. I will just be glad when it is over.