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Im not excited with announcement of the first grandchild

641 replies

FirstNight · 22/03/2026 19:43

23years ago I found mumsnet and became the network I shared and found strength and support as I raised my 3 children and make 100s of Mars lemon drizzle cake 😁

Really didn't think I'd be back here so soon seeking advice.

2026 the final child is 18. The mortgage will be paid in 2mths and the silver wedding anniversary will be upon us in the autumn.

Middle child ..21 in Sept. Moved out 2 yrs ago with the boyfriend. Back in December they noted the tenancy on flat was up and won't be renewed (house being sold). In January they asked if could bunk down with us for 6mths so they could save some extra £ before moving to a new place. Yes of course we say...for a rent payment that covers utilities and food and evidence of saving.

Now today...we have an excited couple informing us they are pregnant. But no other plans than still to move in with us. Dd job is likely not to pay more than maternity allowance , the only saving grace is that career chosen is term time so in 6 yrs will work well for them. Boyfriend has just moved from salaried to self employed...so not a positive for applying for new tenancies.

I was looking forward to enjoying freedom without a small child hanging about and time to reconnect to hubby. Seems we may end up as additional hands, broken nights sleep and a kitchen and lounge full of baby related paraphernalia.

I want to be excited but all I'm thinking and remembering is those first few years with our eldest and the struggles and challenges that come with this.

OP posts:
TheIceBear · 24/03/2026 16:17

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 11:26

I was saying the privileged people who own their own home, plenty of renters could have their accommodation pulled out from under them at any time, hardly reason to start aborting wanted first babies due to a temporary issue.

Yes I guess it depends where you live. I live somewhere where it’s impossible to find anything to rent and you can be kicked out therefore I waited until I bought a house to get pregnant. I don’t believe that everyone who gets pregnant and announces it to their parents that they are moving in had an accidental pregnancy

catchingup1 · 24/03/2026 16:11

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 15:58

It's what plenty of people have suggested

And what you suggested.

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 15:58

catchingup1 · 24/03/2026 15:19

Yes because they are the only options in this scenario 🙄

It's what plenty of people have suggested

millit · 24/03/2026 15:58

EvieBB · 24/03/2026 13:14

I'm shocked too. Your experience sounds very much like mine....and I'm very grateful for that and apply the same to my DC. I will be helping them as much as I can.

My family are similar and I’ve also been shocked at the responses on here. Is it ideal, no far from it and I understand why the OP feels upset and disappointed about the situation but I really hope she doesn’t take advice from some of the people on here.

My in-laws are also very much you’ve made your bed lie in it and even though their family is extremely small, they’ve still managed to fall out with what family they do have. We are ‘close’ to them but my DH always says he’s so pleased to marry into a big family where we all look out for each other. I have had to help siblings out over the years and do a lot for my parents now they’re older but I know they’d all do anything to help me or my family. Interestingly, we have friends from various European backgrounds (think big Spanish families) and Vietnamese friends and our attitudes towards family here in the UK is always a hot topic!

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 15:57

TakeMeDancing · 24/03/2026 14:07

Ah…so you do see the lunacy in placing the blame of “tearing this young family apart” on the shoulders of anyone other than the actual parents in this scenario. 👍

No, not at all, just not placing the blame on forcing the young family apart on an absolute and total stranger who has not so much as crossed paths with them and never will lol

SouthLondonMum22 · 24/03/2026 15:28

CharlotteRumpling · 24/03/2026 14:06

There was a poster upthread who posted about her 40 something son with 3 kids who still lives with her. I think OPs situation may not be temporary.

Exactly.

The ''temporary'' part would be my main concern. Especially with them showing up excited which shows how immature and selfish they still are.

I'd be wondering what is really going to change in 6 months.

catchingup1 · 24/03/2026 15:20

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:51

Nah I'm grand thanks, I'd offer it to my own kids first but the eldest 2 already have jobs they are delighted with.

Yes but they could lose their jobs and suddenly be excited by surprise pregnancies!

catchingup1 · 24/03/2026 15:19

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:32

Ah well then book in to the abortion clinic immediately if you don't want to be out on the streets.

Yes because they are the only options in this scenario 🙄

TakeMeDancing · 24/03/2026 14:07

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:53

Hahaha try harder love.

Ah…so you do see the lunacy in placing the blame of “tearing this young family apart” on the shoulders of anyone other than the actual parents in this scenario. 👍

CharlotteRumpling · 24/03/2026 14:06

There was a poster upthread who posted about her 40 something son with 3 kids who still lives with her. I think OPs situation may not be temporary.

FlyingCatGirl · 24/03/2026 14:05

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:41

Seems like they were able to afford their home, the tenancy has been ended on them.

Yes but now they are pregnant when they haven't found an alternative place to live and he hasn't got stable employment!

FlyingCatGirl · 24/03/2026 14:01

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:35

Nah the forced apart bit was in reference to lots of people saying they wouldn't allow the dad to move in, even though the OP seems to have no problem with that bit. So if you only allow the daughter and not the partner move in would that not be considered forcing a young family apart?

There was a thread on here the other day from a lady whose son moved his girlfriend and the girlfriends two cats into her home, none of them work, the couple in their early 20's are both pretending to be too anxious to work and have burdened themselves on the OP. Sometimes you make a rod for your own back letting adult kids and their partners move in. The father needs to take seriously his responsibility to house his own kid, the OP might get into a situation where in ten years time and three kids later, they are still living there refusing to leave!

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:53

TakeMeDancing · 24/03/2026 13:52

Why are you so cruel, to force this young family apart???

Hahaha try harder love.

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:52

TakeMeDancing · 24/03/2026 13:33

Exactly. It’s through the actions of the feckless boyfriend that will end up “forcing the young family apart.” His inability to man up, get a real job, and stop trying to be a self-employed baller. Especially with a little one on the way—time to grow up, mate.

It takes 2 to get pregnant 😀

TakeMeDancing · 24/03/2026 13:52

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:51

Nah I'm grand thanks, I'd offer it to my own kids first but the eldest 2 already have jobs they are delighted with.

Why are you so cruel, to force this young family apart???

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:51

TakeMeDancing · 24/03/2026 13:49

Maybe you could offer a remote position to the feckless boyfriend. He’ll no doubt have time to both work FT and parent his baby in parallel, so OP won’t be roped in for childcare.

Edited

Nah I'm grand thanks, I'd offer it to my own kids first but the eldest 2 already have jobs they are delighted with.

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:49

TakeMeDancing · 24/03/2026 13:46

Yes, she agreed to house him for 6 months, and he has now quit his job and gotten her daughter pregnant, which means that he has a snowball’s chance in hell of ever getting his own rental now. OP is rightly concerned about scope creep beyond the original offer of 6 months to two people.

Edited

Gotten her daughter pregnant? It takes two lol it wasn't something that was done to her, what a strange way to look at it.6 months should still be on the table, at least.

TakeMeDancing · 24/03/2026 13:49

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:47

I run an online business

Maybe you could offer a remote position to the feckless boyfriend. He’ll no doubt have time to both work FT and parent his baby in parallel, so OP won’t be roped in for childcare.

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:47

Youshouldbestrongerthanme · 24/03/2026 13:46

@Poetnojo How are you working and taking on a 6 month-old as a placement? That's impressive 😀

I run an online business

Youshouldbestrongerthanme · 24/03/2026 13:46

@Poetnojo How are you working and taking on a 6 month-old as a placement? That's impressive 😀

TakeMeDancing · 24/03/2026 13:46

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:42

Hahaha, the grandma had or has no issue housing him, it's just the baby that's the issue.

Yes, she agreed to house him for 6 months, and he has now quit his job and gotten her daughter pregnant, which means that he has a snowball’s chance in hell of ever getting his own rental now. OP is rightly concerned about scope creep beyond the original offer of 6 months to two people.

TakeMeDancing · 24/03/2026 13:43

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:41

Seems like they were able to afford their home, the tenancy has been ended on them.

And they can’t afford a new rental…hence moving in with OP before the pregnancy announcement.

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:42

TakeMeDancing · 24/03/2026 13:38

It’s nobody’s job to house an unemployed partner who fancies themselves as a budding entrepreneur. If anyone is doing “forcing” here, it’s him—forcing a new family before he is ready to provide for one.

Hahaha, the grandma had or has no issue housing him, it's just the baby that's the issue.

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:41

FlyingCatGirl · 24/03/2026 13:38

Some people have to do that because they cannot provide for a baby. If they can't afford a home of their own now, when will they once they've got the expense of a kid and take daughter can't work for a while, god knows how lucrative the boyfriends self employed business is. People like you get angry about abortion but then the benefit bill just grows and grows because you prefer people to be irresponsible!

Seems like they were able to afford their home, the tenancy has been ended on them.

FlyingCatGirl · 24/03/2026 13:38

Poetnojo · 24/03/2026 13:32

Ah well then book in to the abortion clinic immediately if you don't want to be out on the streets.

Some people have to do that because they cannot provide for a baby. If they can't afford a home of their own now, when will they once they've got the expense of a kid and take daughter can't work for a while, god knows how lucrative the boyfriends self employed business is. People like you get angry about abortion but then the benefit bill just grows and grows because you prefer people to be irresponsible!

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