FI Wants a "Free Pass"...help settle this arguement!

Okay - I thought I'd let you guys hear the story and let me know what you think because we can't agree (sorry so long)

Almost 2 months ago FI's aunt asked if we wanted to take our 2 year old with her and her grandson to see Thomas the Train. My initial reaction was no because our son doesn't really like Thomas and I didn't want to spend $40 on tickets. PLUS - Thomas the Train stuff is expensive, and honestly; I don't want to go down that road. We told her no since we have all of our money tied up with the wedding so thanks but no thanks.

After a couple of days she calls and asks FI if she could take him with her and she would buy his ticket. We say sure - if you want to take him fine.

I call her two weeks ago and ask what date they were going because we have wedding stuff going on and need to plan our schedules accordingly - PLUS - I have been working on Saturday or Sundays depending on my schedule (If I run errands and do stuff on Saturday then I work on Sunday and vice versa).

She calls back and tells FI that "every mom should see the look in their childs eyes when they see Thomas coming and it is something they shouldn't miss". SO she bought me a ticket. She told me the date and at the time and at the time; I figured I would work on Saturday and I told her I would go (even though I really don't want to). At that time she asked me if my son was watching the Thomas video and playing with the train she bought him. I told her no, he wasnt and that our son doesn't really like Thomas and that he wasn't really into it.

WELL - on Friday I saw her and she reminded me that Thomas was this coming up Sunday. I told her, "Oh crap - On Saturday we have to meet at the AHR location to go over linen and set up; and on Sunday I have to work". - ALL of this is true. The schedule to go to the AHR location has to be Saturday because of their schedules and my dad's schedule and to me it is way more of a priority than Thomas the freakin' Train and if I have to work Sunday - so be it! I don't have rich parents like her. FI and I are paying for our whole wedding ourselves. His grandmother gave us $100 towards the cake and his mom is paying for the Rehearsal Dinner.

In my opinion, if I can make over $40 an hour to work overtime - HELL FREAKIN YEAH - I'm going to do it! NOT to mention she is COSTING us $70 to pay for her daypass because she is staying at a timeshare instead of the wedding hotel....but I won't even go there!!

Needless to say now she is mad. All she said is, "Well now I have this extra ticket." and went into the house mad.

Let me take this time to point out that FI won't go because football is on.

SO - FI thinks that since I am using work as my excuse to not go so he should get a "free pass" to get out of any future "family function".

I think it's the term "Free Pass" that is irking me. I say if you don't want to go - then don't go. He keeps trying to twist my words to make it seem like this is a "family function" when to me it isn't.

To me it's not a "family function" - it's me going with his aunt to take her grandson and my son to see Thomas the Train.

To me a "family function" involves our whole family unit - me him and both kids. Since neither one of us is going - technically we are both getting a "free pass" aren't we?

He said that now I know how it feels like to have someone ride my ass when they dont' want to do something. My point is that since he isn't even going in my place why should he be getting a "free pass". I could see if he was giving up his football Sunday - but he's not. I think he is trying to get over on me!!

He is just being a meanie! I would be so pissed off too!

I would tell him to take his "Free Pass" and shove it you know where.

Oh yeah, he's definately trying to get over on ya. You didnt' get a free pass, your going to work. That's not the same.

Your working.. umm to pay for the wedding.. HULLOOOOOOOOO. I have gone through the same before as into people buying my son tickets to go and see something Seseme Street Live and whatnot... ticks me off when they do that, even when they pay for it because the other grandkids are going with her.. because if I wanted him to go I would pay for "us" to go.

Sorry your dealing with WW3 right now.. but work is work and your FI should suck it up and deal with his family for the afternoon and Tevo the game. It is his Aunt and again your working...

Oh PLEASE! He won't go because it's for football... and he wants a free pass?!?! And by the way... its HIS AUNT?

Take Yari's advice and tell him to shove the pass where the sun don't shine.

Whoa, this aunt is a little too into Thomas the Train... lol

Maybe mention to her that although you'll be at work, the FI will be at home watching football... I don't know if that will just cause more problems though Is there a cousin who can go? The free pass thing is baloney! Lay the smack down

A free pass for what? Going to do something with his son? Oh the horror of missing a fucking football game.

From my view...... I am a diehard Yankee fan. You cut me, my blood comes out pinstriped. I almost did not buy my current car because it is red and red reminds me of the Boston Red Sox. But, I would pass up watching a game on tv for family any day, any time anywhere. No questions.

i agree with yari, I say shove it also. work comes first, I don't see him pulling the OT on sunday when football is on.

I also say family function is when more all the family is together not just one.

Tell him he is using his "free pass" by staying home and watching football! And he owes YOU a free pass because you will be at work while he is home watching football. lol He's out of luck on this one.

Oh god. Thomas the Train is like my version of a horrible nightmare. I'll do everything in my power to prevent my son from going down that road.

WTF?! "every mom should see the look in their childs eyes when they see Thomas coming and it is something they shouldn't miss". Ummmm.... that's a little over the top don't you think? What kind of crack is she smoking? Call me a bad mommy, but I'm pretty sure I can live without knowing the look in my child's when he sees Thomas coming.

And this free pass nonsense wouldn't fly with me. This is not a family function. This is an activity you were roped into.