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AIBU?

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Son's girlfriend and argument.

243 replies

DancesLikeAFairy · 21/03/2025 18:55

My son has been with his gf over one year. Not his first relationship. He has had friends in his room since he was 14 ish. I preferred him being home,rather than being out. Obviously he could go somewhere in particular, not just wandering around. We're close, but there's a big recurring argument. His gf gets bus from work Friday evening, then leaves here to go to work Monday morning. It's too much for me. At the beginning, I said that I can't afford to feed her every weekend. She now brings a ready meal or pizza, switches oven on, leaves it to heat up, then heats her dinner. She helps herself to the coffee machine a few times a day, makes tea. Leaves pile of clothes in son's room, shoes in hall, after she's left. She can't have friends or bf at her house where she lives with father, his gf, two half brothers. I'm tired of the argument with my son. I've said that I want to have the freedom of being in my home without another person here every weekend. He can't afford to get his own place.

OP posts:
takealettermsjones · 21/03/2025 21:43

MasterBeth · 21/03/2025 21:38

I wouldn't consider warming up a pizza, having coffee or leaving her shoes in the hall "taking the piss."

It's pretty much the definition of "make yourself at home."

Edited

Yes but it's taking the piss to make yourself at home when nobody has invited you to make yourself at home!

Cucy · 21/03/2025 21:42

How far away does she live?
Can she not get the bus back on a Saturday?

I would absolutely be putting my foot down.

Tell DS she can come over Friday but needs to be gone by 8pm Saturday.
If he wants to spend more time with her, then he can stay at hers.

I would hate to have someone in my home every weekend.

Hwi · 21/03/2025 21:40

Cookiecrumblepie · 21/03/2025 19:01

I don’t understand why parents allow these weird teen marriage relationships. Just say it’s not on, find their own space or she needs to pull weight in the house

This and this again

PrincessScarlett · 21/03/2025 21:38

It seems really mean to me to not let her help herself to coffee or use the oven. It doesn't sound like she's behaving outrageously or being disrespectful.

You say that "she's not good enough". Would anyone be good enough for you son?

MasterBeth · 21/03/2025 21:38

Gymnopedie · 21/03/2025 21:33

Even if they were blatantly taking the piss?

I wouldn't consider warming up a pizza, having coffee or leaving her shoes in the hall "taking the piss."

It's pretty much the definition of "make yourself at home."

Em1ly2023 · 21/03/2025 21:36

Em1ly2023 · 21/03/2025 21:33

I wouldn’t want my son’s girlfriend freeloading in my home, showing zero respect or consideration, leaving a mess, helping herself with no thought of the additional code to me, invading my privacy. This mum needs to put her foot down, how has it gotten this far?!

cost

Gymnopedie · 21/03/2025 21:33

MasterBeth · 21/03/2025 21:30

If one of our kids' girlfriends or boyfriends stayed with us, we would always tell them and expect them to use our home as their own.

Even if they were blatantly taking the piss?

Em1ly2023 · 21/03/2025 21:33

FortyNineAndABit · 21/03/2025 21:06

What a mean spirited thread.
It's no wonder people moan about their mothers in law, if this is the kind of welcome they get to the family.

I wouldn’t want my son’s girlfriend freeloading in my home, showing zero respect or consideration, leaving a mess, helping herself with no thought of the additional code to me, invading my privacy. This mum needs to put her foot down, how has it gotten this far?!

Gymnopedie · 21/03/2025 21:33

I've said that I want to have the freedom of being in my home without another person here every weekend. He can't afford to get his own place.

Well then he's got some hard thinking to do hasn't he? Yes he's an adult and yes that gives some privileges. But being demanding and walking all over the person who pays for almost everything isn't one of them.

Time to sit him down and spell it out. £25 a week won't even be covering the cost of his own food, let alone his GF's or a share of the bills.

Babyghirl · 21/03/2025 21:32

DancesLikeAFairy · 21/03/2025 19:52

I have limited capacity to work due to a disability. I don't begrudge her a cup of coffee. It's helping herself to more than six a day. Plus Fri and Mon. I don't want to pay for her to have so much free coffee. Or meals. I've asked her to pay towards meals. She just says that she can't afford it.

You tell her you can't afford to keep her up every weekend for free either, so no money no staying all weekend for nothing.

MasterBeth · 21/03/2025 21:30

takealettermsjones · 21/03/2025 20:58

She's probably a more generous host when she's actually invited the guest?

If one of our kids' girlfriends or boyfriends stayed with us, we would always tell them and expect them to use our home as their own.

DaisyChain505 · 21/03/2025 21:24

You are parent and it is your house. Put your foot down and lay some ground rules immediately.

Sit them both down and make it clear how many days a week she can stay over.

Up your son’s rent immediately or tell him to move out if he wants more freedom.

pancakestastelikecrepe · 21/03/2025 21:21

FortyNineAndABit · 21/03/2025 21:06

What a mean spirited thread.
It's no wonder people moan about their mothers in law, if this is the kind of welcome they get to the family.

Nice try 🙄

HowAmITheCatsGranny · 21/03/2025 21:19

YABU.. anyone ds is dating is welcome here.. I’m on a low income too, but I’ll either cook something that will stretch or they can sort themselves out. The only thing I think you’re fair on is to say that your coffee machine is off limits or they at least provide their own pods.

Isittimeformynapyet · 21/03/2025 21:18

"Tell your son no more or move out.
They both have a total mug made out of you."

@Plmii

Yoda has spoken 🙏🏻

Dollshousedolly · 21/03/2025 21:07

Justhere65 · 21/03/2025 19:55

If you charge your children that much each month how are they going to be able to save for their own place?

He’ll be able to save quicker paying his Mum £400 a month to cover board/utilities/food than renting somewhere and having to pay for his own food and household bills. He’s not being respectful to his Mum or appreciative of having to only pay £100 a month, so really, he should be asked to move out.

justasking111 · 21/03/2025 21:07

DancesLikeAFairy · 21/03/2025 19:52

I have limited capacity to work due to a disability. I don't begrudge her a cup of coffee. It's helping herself to more than six a day. Plus Fri and Mon. I don't want to pay for her to have so much free coffee. Or meals. I've asked her to pay towards meals. She just says that she can't afford it.

Your son pays £100 per month. What is his income a month?

FortyNineAndABit · 21/03/2025 21:06

What a mean spirited thread.
It's no wonder people moan about their mothers in law, if this is the kind of welcome they get to the family.

Savyonblanket · 21/03/2025 21:04

It’s not just about the money it costs on food and drink having her there .

even if son paid £1000 a month that covered the extra food costs / it is not the point - the OP it is having another person in their house every weekend and that is too much for them to manage.

the son and gf need to respect the OP rules and boundaries - it is her house - not theirs and she can set how many weekends she can cope with guests.

Mydahliasareshit · 21/03/2025 21:02

I was paying 40 quid a month to my folks in 1986, just for me, and even then knew I had a massively good deal!

takealettermsjones · 21/03/2025 20:58

MasterBeth · 21/03/2025 20:52

You sound like a generous host.

"You'll have had your tea."

She's probably a more generous host when she's actually invited the guest?

19lottie82 · 21/03/2025 20:56

As a PP have mentioned, What’s an ideal compromise for you?

and why is your son only paying £100 a month rent?

Pompom12 · 21/03/2025 20:53

For next time, could you move your coffee maker and pods to your bedroom and put some lovely instant downstairs for them?!

Could you pass her an IKEA bag or similar and present it as a holder for all her belongings while staying with you

Could you downgrade the meals to slowly put them off... Beans on toast, instant noodles, boiled eggs etc... nothing more fancy. Cereal for tea?

Could you limit the WiFi? Or start having a "reading hour" with silence and smelly candles?

Play radio 3 or 4 in the downstairs?

Talk about current affairs a lot.

Might totally put them off being there?!

MasterBeth · 21/03/2025 20:52

stoptheasshat · 21/03/2025 20:39

What a ridiculous comment. A house guest should wait to be offered a coffee - and making six a day is downright greedy.

You sound like a generous host.

"You'll have had your tea."

pancakestastelikecrepe · 21/03/2025 20:50

thankyounextplease · 21/03/2025 20:45

I've never understood this attitude. You don't like them in your house and feel invaded and that you had to be hosting, but you're also complaining they spent all their time hiding away in his bedroom. So either they were in your way and you were playing the host, or they weren't in your way at all but you're still somehow mad about it because you wanted to host.

Well, you don't understand as you haven't experienced it, clearly! 🙄