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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DSD isn’t coming home for Christmas

210 replies

Andiey · 20/11/2025 13:01

DSD is 19, she’s in her first year of uni following a gap year. Her mum passed away when she was a toddler, DH and I have been together for 12 years so I feel as though I have a very close bond with her.
Today she messaged the family group chat saying she won’t be coming home for Christmas. I asked why and she said she has a part time job in her uni town who are offering double pay to work Christmas Day and she’d rather have New Year’s Day off to go out with friends. I asked if we could come and visit her before hand and she said she is really busy with work and uni so it would be better if we waited to see her after new year. We haven’t seen her since she started in September and she was very much against us dropping her off, rather she took the train herself despite many offers.
Her older brother is always happy to come home for Christmas even now he has left uni, as are my own children. I’d go as far to say I don’t know many uni students who aren’t desperate to come home and get food made for them/meet up with old school friends/be back in their own space.
I think her decision not to come home is quite concerning, AIBU?

OP posts:
Peoplemakemedespair · 20/11/2025 13:14

I’d take it as a sign that you’ve raised a successful adult. Putting pressure on her will likely have the opposite effect that you want

HeadyLamarr · 20/11/2025 13:12

There's nothing to be concerned about. A bit sad, absolutely, because obviously you'll miss her on Christmas Day.

She's grown up and has been used to independence as a result of travelling for a year. It's perfectly natural - I was the same after a year away from my family and they definitely struggled with accepting that.

She's a young woman enjoying freedom, wanting to earn for herself and prioritising New Year and her friends. It hurts, but it's perfectly healthy.

bigboykitty · 20/11/2025 13:12

I think it's concerning. I didn't go home for Christmas at that age (nor older). I think the fact that she didn't want you and her dad to take her to uni, she hasn't been home since starting uni and has no plans to see you, is an indication that there is an issue in the relationship. Has her dad been trying to contact her or as he tried to see her? Or does he leave this all to you? I'd be a bit worried.

Andiey · 20/11/2025 13:11

ToKittyornottoKitty · 20/11/2025 13:08

What are you concerned about though? I’m not trying to minimise it, I just don’t understand what the worry is, has she been in trouble before? She’s obviously quite independent

I guess we are worried that she’s intentionally distancing herself from the family. She was anorexic as a teenager, though in recovery now. As a teen she sort of straddled the line between being super studious, really engaged with her sports, but also going to a lot of parties, tried weed and cocaine, had sex much younger than what most parents would want for their children.
I guess we worry that she is always on the line between being extremely successful or breaking down and throwing it all away.

OP posts:
JudgeBread · 20/11/2025 13:09

She's discovering the freedoms of adulthood. I did the same thing my first year of uni, stayed and worked and went out on the piss with my mates and revelled in my new freedom. It's not "concerning", she's finding her way

ToKittyornottoKitty · 20/11/2025 13:08

Andiey · 20/11/2025 13:06

He seems quite concerned but doesn’t think we can do anything or should say anything.
She travelled for her gap year, SE Asia, Australia, South America and some time in Europe.

What are you concerned about though? I’m not trying to minimise it, I just don’t understand what the worry is, has she been in trouble before? She’s obviously quite independent

SoScarletItWas · 20/11/2025 13:08

Andiey · 20/11/2025 13:06

He seems quite concerned but doesn’t think we can do anything or should say anything.
She travelled for her gap year, SE Asia, Australia, South America and some time in Europe.

Given she’s done this level of travel alone, she just sounds independent and self-sufficient. I wouldn’t be concerned at all.

MrsSkylerWhite · 20/11/2025 13:07

Our youngest (22) has just bought his first home. He will be working on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day and wants to celebrate NYE with friends in his home. Bit sad but perfectly natural, I think.
They've lives to build. Our eldest, 30, will be at home with her own family but they’ll visit for a few days later in the week. So, take away curry for us after donkey’s years of Christmas faff 😁

Andiey · 20/11/2025 13:06

ToKittyornottoKitty · 20/11/2025 13:03

What does her dad think? I don’t think it’s totally concerning but without knowing what your relationship is like and per past behaviour it’s hard to say. What did she do in her gap year?

He seems quite concerned but doesn’t think we can do anything or should say anything.
She travelled for her gap year, SE Asia, Australia, South America and some time in Europe.

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 20/11/2025 13:03

What does her dad think? I don’t think it’s totally concerning but without knowing what your relationship is like and per past behaviour it’s hard to say. What did she do in her gap year?

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