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Do I mention gf's lack of condolences?

178 replies

Amoamasamat · 18/05/2025 23:19

Ds (late 20's) has been living with his gf 'Grace' for more than a year now on the other side of the country. We've only had the chance to meet Grace once (due to logistics, busy lives etc) when Ds brought her to stay to attend a family celebration held by his grandparents. She came, was welcomed, met the whole family including grandparents and was lovely if perhaps a little shy and awkward - fair enough. We ask after her every time we chat with ds on the phone and pass on messages like congratulations for events in her life that he tells us about.

2 months ago my dad, ds's grandad died suddenly. Ds has been involved closely with the grief, the funeral planning etc. We've been showered with kindness and condolences from friends and family but we haven't heard a single peep from Grace - no card, or message to say she's sorry. Of course, it's perfectly possible that Grace has said to ds 'please tell your family how sorry I am' and he's has failed to pass on the message (he can also be fairly socially awkward) but I'm slightly surprised and a little hurt that between the two of them they haven't managed to pass on any condolence message at all.

Would I be unreasonable to ask ds why Grace has said nothing?

I'm worried if I do ask, ds will either take it as a criticism of him for failing to pass on the message (it would be!) or of Grace for not sending a message (and I absolutely do not want to sour a relationship with her). But if I don't ask him I will hold on to this minor resentment against Grace perhaps unfairly and/or ds will learn nothing about needing a bit of awareness where feelings and emotions are involved.

OP posts:
Babywithnoname · 18/05/2025 23:23

It's weird you've picked this out. I'm sure she is supporting your DS, and while it would have been nice to pass a message to you too it wouldn't be expected surely. She's not your friend, she's your son's GF.

DappledThings · 18/05/2025 23:23

I don't think she needs to say anything directly herself if she's not otherwise in contact with you. I think she's completely reasonably assumed that her sympathy is implicit via her being half of a couple and doesn't need to be from her individually.

Is she coming to the funeral?

Largestlegocollectionever · 18/05/2025 23:22

I don’t think she should? Her relationship and role will be to support your ds if he wants it, and be there for him, I find it weird you’ve even expected this when you’ve not seen or spoken to her.