Do parents really forget Birthdays

**Nana2two** · 06-16-2009, 11:34 PM

Well today is my birthday. I didnt get a call from my parents. I guess old age is catching up with them. my dad is 85 my mom is 78. My mom i can understand she has dementia, my daddy, well i was born on fathers day. They will remember in a week and then call me.. LOL

**madhen** · 06-16-2009, 11:53 PM

Well, happy birthday from ME!!

Mine is tomorrow, so now I'll always remember yours is just one day ahead!

**MomToTwoBoys** · 06-17-2009, 12:06 AM

My mom forgets mine and I'm 31.

Happy birthday from me, though!

**TinyDancer** · 06-17-2009, 12:35 AM

Happy Birthday Nana2two and MadHen! Woo hoo!

Don't feel bad, Nana2two.....my parents have forgotten my birthday more than once. I even called my dad on my birthday once and he STILL forgot to wish me a happy birthday. You're friends at FV are thinking of you!

**2ndGenGranola** · 06-17-2009, 02:31 AM

Happy Birthday!

Yes! MIL forgets DH's birthday (and its on a fixed holiday), never remembers mine, never remembers our anniversary (on another fixed special day) and only remembers the kids because DH drops a hint on his weekly call.

**miss_thrifty** · 06-17-2009, 07:47 AM

happy birthday madhen and nana2two.

**IndigoMom** · 06-17-2009, 08:00 AM

Well Happy Birthday to you both! I imagine your Dad will remember on Father's Day. My Mom was born on Labor Day - and Grandma always remembered by then.

**Grainlady** · 06-17-2009, 08:11 AM

My mother had a problem with my birth date all my life. I doubt my father EVER gave it any thought.... When I was 6 I remember my 10-year old sister telling Mom my birthday was the 21st and mom saying it was the 24th. My sister got out the baby book to prove it.

Years later when I was doing genealogical research I checked records at the church where I was baptized and sure enough, it said the 24th for my birth date, even though other documentation (birth certificate, newspaper announcement, hospital wrist band) said the 21st. School records showed the wrong date more often than not...

My parents COMPLETELY forgot my 9th birthday. Talk about guilt. I got one of the most beautiful dresses in my life that next weekend!!! I can still remember it - it was in a nice box wrapped in tissue.

I also noticed when my parents were older, they would usually know it was Monday (or whatever day), but rarely did they know the number. Their lives were no longer regimented enough to worry about it. Especially once their Social Security checks were directly deposited into their checking accounts. Before that, their lives revolved on the 3rd of the month...

They probably wouldn't have known the months had changed, but the elderly housing unit they lived in would hand out a new calendar for the month with events and birthdays for the building. They always managed to be at any potlucks (LOL).

**goodwoman777** · 06-17-2009, 11:29 AM

Happy 1 day late birthday

My parents forget mine, yet they remember everyone else's. It does bother me, but I bite my tongue. They are both 70. (though it has been going on for years)

**Thevail** · 06-17-2009, 12:04 PM

In my family we all forget each others birthdays.. we faithfully write them on the calenders.. and then forget to look at the calender. Or buy the card and forget to pick up stamps. Or call each other, but forget to actually say "happy (whatever)".

It's become a family joke that we all have the alzheimer gene, but we've learned to work around it.

Happy Birthday Nana and Madhen!

**frugalwarrior** · 06-17-2009, 01:39 PM

Nana2 Happy Birthday. My father is 81. Sometimes he forgets things and tries to fake it. A couple years ago my dad forgot the cat in the yard was theirs, had a stroke the next month. Don't take it personally when you get older time drifts and folds back in on it self too. Its hard to watch but I see my parents fading. Try and be happy you still have them to talk to.

**Saydee** · 06-17-2009, 01:48 PM

My mom forgot to once or twice before she died and she felt so bad when she realized it. Hope you have a great day!

**frugalfranny** · 06-17-2009, 02:03 PM

Happy BELATED birthday.

My mom seldom forgot but my dad never HAD A CLUE! When my mom could no longer see is when I stopped rec'ing cards. Would get a call sometimes. Birthdays were never a big celebration in our house......and I disliked that as a kid. bummer........

**DixieJ** · 06-17-2009, 02:23 PM

Happy Birthday! I think after a certain age people just don't keep up with what day of the month it is. Heck, if I'm off work just a few days I don't know what day of the month it is half the time!!