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Partners family have a habit of not saying goodbye

110 replies

PockerMaus · 29/03/2026 14:40

So until recently it's just my partner's dad who seems to have this issue. Whenever he has stayed with us in the past he seems to have dipped out early in the morning without saying goodbye (my partners family all live about 4 hours away). It upset my partner in the past but he has a turbulent relationship with his dad anyway.

This weekend we had two of his aunties and his cousin come and stay. They drove down on Saturday, we cooked them lunch, went for a nice walk and then had pancakes for tea and watched a film. It seemed like a lovely day and they all went to bed and said see you tomorrow.

We have an 8 month old son who thankfully (after 7 months of awful sleep) now sleeps through on most occasions. I woke up around 6 and 7 and couldn't hear anything and our son was still asleep so went back to sleep. My partner and I woke up at 8am and went downstairs to find a note written on some kitchen roll saying thank you for the food, had to go. They then messaged to say they had been up since 3am unable to sleep and needed to get home.

Tbh I find it really rude, after hosting these people and they just leave without saying goodbye. We sleep with our door open so it's not like we were shut away and not like we woke up late. I haven't replied to their messages and feel that they've let my partner down as it's something he has always been upset about when his dad does it.

Would you be offended by this or not think it's a particularly big deal? My partner said they may not have wanted to wake us up as we have a baby but he sleeps in his own room and they know that he sleeps through the night now so it's not like we're sleep deprived.

I just feel like saying something to them that this wasn't ok but also don't want to be overreacting and falling out with the in laws. Maybe I just need to rant haha. I just know I wouldn't stay at someone's house and then leave without saying goodbye.

OP posts:
Scripturient · 29/03/2026 14:50

Weird, but as they’re your partner’s family, it’s his issue to address.

DNLove · 29/03/2026 14:50

I do something similar if I stay in a friends house if it's been for a night out and to avoid a long costly trip home in taxi. I get up and out of their way early so they can enjoy their lazy morning without me hanging around.
At a certain age people just want to get home to their own space. Don't sleep well in other people's beds, different noises. If they're awake and a drive home ahead of them they'll probably want to get on the road and not waste the whole day; if other option is hang around till you guys get up and then eat some breakfast and then drive home. And even if your bedroom door is open no grown adult would walk into another couples bedroom while they were in bed.

ILoveDaffodills · 29/03/2026 14:48

I think it's pretty weird, I just can't imagine doing it myself or anyone I know

Did you have any plans with them today

I think next time (if there is one! ) anytime someone from his family stays, either say something or just anticipate this happening & try not to take their weirdness personally!

try to enjoy the rest of the day without thinking about it.

BlueMum16 · 29/03/2026 14:47

They clearly wanted to get home and didn't want to disturb you.

I would reply something like 'lovely to see you and glad you got home safe. We were disappointed you'd left so early and would loved to have seen you before you went'

I would never wake someone into he night if I needed to go home.

Hopefully they had genuine reasons and we're not just being rude.

Cuppachuchu · 29/03/2026 14:46

A bit rude, imo.
Do you actually invite these people to stay, or do they invite themselves/ use your home in lieu of a hotel to save themselves money?

NovemberMorn · 29/03/2026 14:45

At least they left a note.
It would be nice if they phoned you later to thank you for your hospitality, but people seldom phone anyone anymore, a thank you text is not the same.

TMFF · 29/03/2026 14:43

Your partner's dad sounds a bit odd especially if he makes a habit of it and your baby has only just started sleeping in.

What time was he ducking out??

Nothing wrong with the note from the aunts if they had to go.

Netcurtainnelly · 29/03/2026 14:43

Yes odd.

SoftandQuiet · 29/03/2026 14:43

Yes, bit rude. Have you bought food for Sunday breakfast and lunch?

TomatoSandwiches · 29/03/2026 14:43

Most people have the opposite problem.

I don't think they were rude, they left a note and it seems they had their own issues and wanted to get home without bothering you.

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