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AIBU?

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Horror at sons "special" christmas present?

881 replies

Becc91 · 27/12/2025 17:57

So my DS (20) came home for christmas from bristol uni with a "special" christmas present. Had me open it in front of everyone... only to find a positive pregnancy test 😱!
Turns out his new GF of 6 months, who he met online (discard?) , is an international student from Korea, studying "innovation" 🙄. I want so badly to be happy for him, but just feel he's far too young to be having a child with someone who'll be leaving the country come september.

I've always wanted to be a grandma, but not at 38!!
This, plus the fact she's 26 and we haven't even met makes me SO worried for my DS... but I'm fuming that he thought it was appropriate to give this as a present and make me open it in front of everyone.

DS now isn't speaking to me after I told him in no uncertain terms that the three of them couldn't move in when their degrees are finished- which he had the nerve to suggest over Christmas Dinner?! AIBU?

OP posts:
GreenFriedTomato · 28/12/2025 17:53

Steeleydan · 28/12/2025 17:40

You obviously had a child at 18! Pot kettle springs to mind

Yet another ridiculous pot/kettle/hypocrite type comment. It has been stated Multiple times that it isn't hypocrisy to want better for your own children.

It's entirely reasonable for someone to be disappointed or concerned if they see their own children making similar unwise decisions they made in the past.

I dropped out of education and wasted years of study and ended up in dead end jobs. By your logic, I should be silent if my daughter does the same? If I had children, I'd like them to avoid making the same mistakes not repeat them.

Dawnb19 · 28/12/2025 17:52

It such a difficult situation. Would she even be allowed to stop in the UK to have the baby or would your grandchild be born in Korea? I can understand how confusing this must be for you but can't you at least organise a dinner and invite her over to get to know what their plan is?

You say she's 26 but isn't that 24- 25 in the UK years? I remember backpacking around Asia and their ages aren't like ours. I think they are already 1 when they are born then turn 2 on the 1st January.

Roobarbtwo · 28/12/2025 17:51

GreenFriedTomato · 28/12/2025 17:13

There are clearly multiple practical issues here. Visas, residency, finances and so on.
Called me old fashioned though but instead of chucking a pregnancy test across the turkey and telling OP they'll all be moving in. Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to travel home with the girlfriend, introduce her to mum, and then drop the bombshell during a proper conversation with all parties present?
I can't get my head around OP's son not even introducing his pregnant partner. Surely that would be the first step?
Where did the girlfriend spend Christmas? Was she alone? It wasn't with her own family

This

Roobarbtwo · 28/12/2025 17:50

JohnnysMama · 28/12/2025 17:46

Well, you had your DS at 18 so what’s the problem? I’m sure you were helped, why wouldn’t you help them?

Why do they have to move in with the OP? My gran always helped my mum out with childcare when she could - my mum was a teacher and my dad and her were divorced when I was quite young - but my mum only lived with her mum and dad until she got a home of her own which wasn't long after the divorce - and they had space for us at that point

Why should the OP agree to allow the gf to move into her home - when she's never met her! That's madness

FlyingCatGirl · 28/12/2025 17:49

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 27/12/2025 18:15

Agree with this.

Depends what you want.
If you want your son and GC in UK you.might want to have a rethink...

If you wrent fussed about them all livong in Korea ... crack on...

There's the logistics of either of them making a country that's not their own their home! Countries tend to have a lot of red tape for these things!

FlyingCatGirl · 28/12/2025 17:47

Squirrelchops1 · 27/12/2025 18:12

What an amazing opportunity for your son to live in Asia. I sound sarcastic when I'm being absolutely genuine.

How easy would it be for him just walk into Korea and claim it home though! None of us can just walk into any country and call it home unfortunately.

JohnnysMama · 28/12/2025 17:46

Becc91 · 27/12/2025 17:57

So my DS (20) came home for christmas from bristol uni with a "special" christmas present. Had me open it in front of everyone... only to find a positive pregnancy test 😱!
Turns out his new GF of 6 months, who he met online (discard?) , is an international student from Korea, studying "innovation" 🙄. I want so badly to be happy for him, but just feel he's far too young to be having a child with someone who'll be leaving the country come september.

I've always wanted to be a grandma, but not at 38!!
This, plus the fact she's 26 and we haven't even met makes me SO worried for my DS... but I'm fuming that he thought it was appropriate to give this as a present and make me open it in front of everyone.

DS now isn't speaking to me after I told him in no uncertain terms that the three of them couldn't move in when their degrees are finished- which he had the nerve to suggest over Christmas Dinner?! AIBU?

Well, you had your DS at 18 so what’s the problem? I’m sure you were helped, why wouldn’t you help them?

Imdunfer · 28/12/2025 17:45

TheSquareMile · 28/12/2025 16:31

Re-reading your post, OP, I see that you've said:

"DS now isn't speaking to me after I told him in no uncertain terms that the three of them couldn't move in when their degrees are finished- which he had the nerve to suggest over Christmas Dinner?"

Do they mean that they might move in this summer? I had assumed that he would have another 18 months of study to do, as he is only 20.

If they are graduating this year, is he going to be revising for finals with a new baby to take care of?

I am assuming that he will start work after Uni and would be able to pay rent on a flat. She will eventually be working too. Why would they prefer to share with you? My worry would be that they imagine that free childcare will be on tap.

I'd bet my bottom dollar that he means the girlfriend moves in this summer with a brand new baby while he carries on going to college every term to finish his degree in 2027.

Steeleydan · 28/12/2025 17:40

Becc91 · 27/12/2025 17:57

So my DS (20) came home for christmas from bristol uni with a "special" christmas present. Had me open it in front of everyone... only to find a positive pregnancy test 😱!
Turns out his new GF of 6 months, who he met online (discard?) , is an international student from Korea, studying "innovation" 🙄. I want so badly to be happy for him, but just feel he's far too young to be having a child with someone who'll be leaving the country come september.

I've always wanted to be a grandma, but not at 38!!
This, plus the fact she's 26 and we haven't even met makes me SO worried for my DS... but I'm fuming that he thought it was appropriate to give this as a present and make me open it in front of everyone.

DS now isn't speaking to me after I told him in no uncertain terms that the three of them couldn't move in when their degrees are finished- which he had the nerve to suggest over Christmas Dinner?! AIBU?

You obviously had a child at 18! Pot kettle springs to mind

GreenFriedTomato · 28/12/2025 17:30

Again wrt finances. Are they living together at present or separately? Either way they'll still be paying for accomodation at Uni so why not get their own place instead of expecting OP to house them.
If the situation is that precarious that they can't afford to rent somewhere to live, in addition to potential visa/residency/money issues, I'd be considering a termination if I were in that position.
If they have a plan and the financial means to make it work then by all means crack on and good luck to them. It doesn't sound like it though..

samarrange · 28/12/2025 17:29

BlueJuniper94 · 28/12/2025 16:48

It's very likely this baby is an "anchor" baby. But this is by no means an easy option, her upbringing will make this very very difficult either way, her parents having devoted so much of their resources to ensuring their child is educated and attains a certain status. The young woman now faces giving birth and raising a child alone and far from home. There is also no way she won't have internalised at least some degree of shame from this upbringing. So, I feel for her. But I really do wish them all the very best.

There is no such thing as an anchor baby, under the British Nationality Act of 1981 and subsequent immigration legislation. Its mother acquires no rights to remain in the UK as a result of the birth of the child, even though the child is a UK citizen, and even though the child was born in the UK. She has to meet the same visa requirements as any other South Korean citizen.

Maybe she is misinformed and thinks she is getting an anchor baby, but she isn't. She can look forward to dealing with the minimum household income requirement of £29k (possibly going up quite a bit) and paying the NHS surcharge. Or she can take the baby back to Korea and DS can either try to follow her, or not.

GAJLY · 28/12/2025 17:21

has he resurfaced to talk more about it? Does he have a plan? A part time job?

GreenFriedTomato · 28/12/2025 17:13

There are clearly multiple practical issues here. Visas, residency, finances and so on.
Called me old fashioned though but instead of chucking a pregnancy test across the turkey and telling OP they'll all be moving in. Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to travel home with the girlfriend, introduce her to mum, and then drop the bombshell during a proper conversation with all parties present?
I can't get my head around OP's son not even introducing his pregnant partner. Surely that would be the first step?
Where did the girlfriend spend Christmas? Was she alone? It wasn't with her own family

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 28/12/2025 16:50

There is also no way she won't have internalised at least some degree of shame from this upbringing.

Whuch makes accidental pregnancy much more likely than an anchor baby

BlueJuniper94 · 28/12/2025 16:48

SoftBalletShoes · 28/12/2025 07:30

I'm not so sure she's a "poor girl." She's 26 and living in a country that has free contraception. It fails but they could have used two methods. Also, she has the option of a free termination. It's quite possible that this baby is an anchor baby. I'm also wondering if the age gap is by coincidence or by design on her part.

It's very likely this baby is an "anchor" baby. But this is by no means an easy option, her upbringing will make this very very difficult either way, her parents having devoted so much of their resources to ensuring their child is educated and attains a certain status. The young woman now faces giving birth and raising a child alone and far from home. There is also no way she won't have internalised at least some degree of shame from this upbringing. So, I feel for her. But I really do wish them all the very best.

GreenFriedTomato · 28/12/2025 16:46

Roobarbtwo · 28/12/2025 16:10

Having a child isn't the end of someone's future. My mum had me at 19 when she was at university and finished her degree.

And that sounds like a more stable situation as opposed to having a child overseas while on a temporary student visa with another younger student and no income.. Also unclear whether the woman's family are even supportive of this supposedly unplanned pregnancy. It's unlikely her parents will be overjoyed at the reality of her returning with an MSc, and a suprise baby in tow

TheSquareMile · 28/12/2025 16:31

Re-reading your post, OP, I see that you've said:

"DS now isn't speaking to me after I told him in no uncertain terms that the three of them couldn't move in when their degrees are finished- which he had the nerve to suggest over Christmas Dinner?"

Do they mean that they might move in this summer? I had assumed that he would have another 18 months of study to do, as he is only 20.

If they are graduating this year, is he going to be revising for finals with a new baby to take care of?

I am assuming that he will start work after Uni and would be able to pay rent on a flat. She will eventually be working too. Why would they prefer to share with you? My worry would be that they imagine that free childcare will be on tap.

EarthlyNightshade · 28/12/2025 16:22

Thehandinthecookiejar · 28/12/2025 15:35

I guess

What would you like most about it?

Roobarbtwo · 28/12/2025 16:10

Rosscameasdoody · 28/12/2025 16:00

Nope. If both partners used contraception correctly it’s 99.99% effective. I simply don’t believe that two highly intelligent people working hard to secure their future would leave something like this to chance.

Having a child isn't the end of someone's future. My mum had me at 19 when she was at university and finished her degree.

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 28/12/2025 16:07

Rosscameasdoody · 28/12/2025 16:00

Nope. If both partners used contraception correctly it’s 99.99% effective. I simply don’t believe that two highly intelligent people working hard to secure their future would leave something like this to chance.

Have you met people?

Rosscameasdoody · 28/12/2025 16:00

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 28/12/2025 15:11

Accidental pregnancy. Like millions of other smart people throughout history?

Nope. If both partners used contraception correctly it’s 99.99% effective. I simply don’t believe that two highly intelligent people working hard to secure their future would leave something like this to chance.

ThereAreOnlyShadesOfGrey · 28/12/2025 15:53

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 28/12/2025 15:11

Accidental pregnancy. Like millions of other smart people throughout history?

Genuine accidental pregnancies are incredibly rare.

Contraception when used correctly is 99.99% accurate. The majority of pregnancies which occur on contraception are due to incorrect use.

And any couple who has been together for less than a decent period, i.e. I would probably apply the similar timeframe to meeting the kids i.e. a year should both be using contraception.

It’s far too much of a coincidence the amount of people who fall pregnant so soon into relationships. The majority of those are just being wreckless, let’s acknowledge it for what it is.

Rosscameasdoody · 28/12/2025 15:51

SereneCoralExpert · 28/12/2025 15:40

Yours? Absolutely.

No, yours. You’re suggesting that OP should allow her son to manipulate and bully her into supplying a ready made home for them all because he hasn’t given a single thought as to how he’s going to provide for the family he helped create. This isn’t OP’s problem to sort and she’s not doing anyone any favours by accepting responsibility.

SereneCoralExpert · 28/12/2025 15:40

reversingdumptruckwithnotyreson · 28/12/2025 15:38

What a ridiculous comment

Yours? Absolutely.

reversingdumptruckwithnotyreson · 28/12/2025 15:38

SereneCoralExpert · 28/12/2025 14:44

The baby is coming like it or not, how lovely to reject your son and the mother of his child and make sure you never have a place in their life.

Or will complain in a few years that your DIL doesn't like you.

What a charming lady

he had the nerve to suggest over Christmas Dinner
I am not sure the "horror" is the son here

What a ridiculous comment