AITA for not wanting my brother's girlfriend to be at my birthday?
My (22f) younger brother (19m), "Evan", recently started dating a girl from his friend group, "Jenna", within the last few months. I live away from home with my boyfriend (21m), but according to my parents, (58m, 60f), Jenna has been over to their house almost every day since her and Evan started dating. I've only met her three or four times, and most of those times has been a "Hi, nice to meet/see you, bye" situation. A few weeks ago we had a dinner and board games night with my parents, Evan, and her, and that was really the only time I've gotten to talk to her. I have no issue with her personally, as she seems like a really nice girl.
My dad and I share a birthday which is coming up in a few days. We're planning on doing two parties. The first one is the day before our birthday. We're inviting some of my boyfriend's family, Jenna, and one or two of Evan's friends. It's less of a party, and more of a get-together. No gifts, birthday song, etc etc. The second party, on our birthday, was supposed to be a family thing; myself, my parents, and my boyfriend, opening gifts, yada yada.
My boyfriend and I visited my parents the other night, and I wanted to bring up to my parents the fact that I was hoping we wouldn't invite Jenna to the second party. I thought that would almost be a given, but apparently not. I explained that I feel like I don't really know her at all and made a comment about how it feels like every time I visit them now, she's there too. My parents (jokingly, but still) retorted about my boyfriend being at our house all the time too. Before we moved out together we were long distance and he would spend a week or so at our house every few months. I argued that was different since they would always have several weeks of notice beforehand, but that's besides the point. My mom said that Evan and Jenna, despite only dating for a few months, are serious enough that Jenna should be invited to family stuff. My dad said she was nice and implied that he wanted her to be there. I tried to say I didn't really feel comfortable with her like that, but they essentially shut me down and said she would be invited.
I think they might be seeing it from their own perspective. Jenna has been a part of Evan's friend group for ages, so my parents already knew her before they started dating. Now that they're dating it sounds like she's often over at their place, so I'm sure they've gotten to know her better and feel like she's a part of the family. Like I mentioned, I don't live at home, and have only gotten the chance to meet her a handful of times, so I don't feel like I'm anywhere near comfortable enough with her to consider her family. I feel like if Evan were to ask me to not invite my boyfriend to his birthday, I would understand. I think Evan would understand my reservations, but after talking to my parents I'm not so sure.
It's also my dad's birthday, so I think it's fair that he have a say in who's there. However, I think it's also fair that I request someone who's nearly a stranger to me not be there this time. I'm completely unopposed to having Jenna over for the first party and having dinner or hanging out with her and my family another time, but this is my birthday, and it's particularly a family party thing. So, AITA for asking she not be invited?
TL;DR I barely know my brother's girlfriend but my parents insist she be invited to mine and my dad's shared small family birthday party.
Posted Jul 17, 2025, 8:46 AM UTC