This is pretty tame compared to some problems, but I was embarrassed and need some insight.My niece turned 4 the other day. I decided to throw her a small birthday party because her parents (separated) didn't have the resources or time to plan it.So I reserved a pavilion at the lake and purchased a Costco cake and some hotdogs and chips. I invited some of her cousins and of course my family was there. My sister was incredibly grateful I was able to plan something for her (took a lot of stress of her already full plate). There was many 15 of us including all the kids and adults. They just played on the play ground and ate. Fun Sunday afternoon.Things went south when my sister tried to get my niece to come sit and blow out the candles. She started throwing a huge fit and saying 'I DONT WANT A BIRTHDAY. I HATE CAKE." over and over again. She pancaked to ground and refuses to get up. My sister refuses to do anything about it and kept trying to negotiate with her. Again, more saying she hates birthdays and hates parties and hates cake (lies, she loves cake). She refused to cooperate, even though the entire family was there waiting on her. Eventually my sister gave up and just cut and served the cake.The same thing happened with presents. "I hate birthdays. I hate cake and I hate presents!". over and over, more flailing on the ground, more trying to negotiate. Refused to open them. My sister just put them in her car, unopened.I was embarrassed as hell and she isn't even my kid. I didn't even know what to do. My first instinct would have been to say "Fine, parties over. Let's go home." But I don't know if that's too harsh as my child is still very young (8 months) and I have no frame of reference.What would have been the appropriate action? Were my expectations too high?Thanks :) via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2y4CL02
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