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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to buy the house I love despite my parents' concerns?

259 replies

Orangebananas · 16/05/2026 16:57

I’m an only child of older parents, they live abroad, I live in the south of England. Not sure if it matters but I opted not to have kids and currently single! They come and stay with me maybe 3 times a year, 2 weeks on the trot before we all start hating each other.

Last year I decided I would move and finally found a house I can afford. I was really excited, it’s got buckets of character, is in the perfect location for me. It’ll need a bit of work long term but nothing I’m worried about / unprepared for.
Anyway, I went ahead and got my lawyer on it. Until my parents came to stay with me.
I set up a viewing so they could see it, my hope was that they would love it too. Instead they were horrified, my mother had not a single positive thing to say, my father literally no opinion as usual. The entire time they stayed with me I heard all their gripes, the main being the stairs were too old and narrow and that there was no downstairs loo. Now my dad is banging on about how I should compromise and buy somewhere that basically they like and inconveniences me by being out of the area I love and is practical to me.
Im trying to find solutions to the above like putting a loo in, but does this make me a dickhead if I buy it?

If they can’t handle stairs it seems unlikely they will get on a plane to stay with me anyway.
It’s driving me mad, I just want to buy the place that I love and be happy there. I can’t deal with all this nonsense and guilt. I work really hard and I don’t want to mortgage too high to get a place that has loads more space that I’ll pay to heat but never use.

Or am I being a shitty selfish only child not thinking about what they want?

OP posts:
somanychristmaslights · 16/05/2026 17:03

They stay 6 weeks a year, you’ll live there 52 weeks a year. If you love it then absolutely buy it.

CheeseAndTomatoSandwichWithMayo · 16/05/2026 17:03

Are your parents helping you buy this property? I assume not

Are you 12? I assume not

Then.....why does it matter what they think? Are you and they enmeshed in an unhealthy co dependant relationship?

If so, get counselling

Either way. Ignore them

Watercooler · 16/05/2026 17:02

Are they contributing?

Crispsandcola · 16/05/2026 17:02

As a mom to two adult children, I would say that no child owes their parents anything. If they don't like your choice that's their problem - don't let them make it yours.

Snucker · 16/05/2026 17:02

My parents come and stay in the nearest premier inn with an accessible room. My house is four floors and just too hard for them to navigate but we manage just fine. They want you to spend more for them? Think that is shocking!

Savvysix1984 · 16/05/2026 17:02

I don’t think you being an only child has anything to do with it.
If I wanted my parents to come stay with me but the house was prohibitive (for real reasons) then I’d probably rethink it.
Have they given you a deposit towards it?

notacooldad · 16/05/2026 17:00

You are an adult and can make your own informed decisions
If you can make it work, buy it.
My mum is negative about everything. I just say ' I can see why this ( whatever it is) wouldn't suit you but I love it!

BellaVita · 16/05/2026 16:59

They are being very selfish. If they are not happy with the house of your choice then they can stay at a hotel/airbnb if they come and visit.

GO AND BUY IT!!

Zov · 16/05/2026 16:59

You do what's best for you, take no notice of your parents. Your life, your money, your home. Flowers

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