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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel too tired for evenings out with visiting parents?

33 replies

Whereisthisheatwavethen · 22/05/2026 13:26

Mid-late 40’s, primary aged Dd, amazing but challenging at times, part time job and take on 80% of everything else (that’s another story)
Parents have come to visit, they’re in their 70’s and i’m exhausted.
Most days have involved getting Dd to school, dropping them somewhere, working for a few hours, meeting them for lunch and long walk, picking Dd up or taking to clubs and making dinner, bedtime etc.
Similar thing today and now Ddad has suggested we go out tonight too, to a shopping centre and dinner out or to a restaurant

I feel so tired and really don’t want to, but will because they want to as I feel bad we haven’t been out for meals in the evening, only coffees and lunches
In my normal, everyday life I have more down time and time at home, I don’t go out every day for long walks, cafes, restaurants and driving etc and have a day off after drop off where I stay home, do some chores and work, then just chill and watch tv. I really need this in my usual routine

Aibu to not really want to when they want to go out places in the evening too

How can they be this more active in their 70’s than I am in my 40’s? Or am I just a bit more boring than the average person-I love my home and relaxing!

OP posts:
Peonies12 · 22/05/2026 13:43

Given they're leaving, have a coffee and go out with them tonight. You have a long weekend to come.

TomatoSandwiches · 22/05/2026 13:42

Suck it up for one more day then you have the bank holiday weekend to recover.

takealettermsjones · 22/05/2026 13:42

Whereisthisheatwavethen · 22/05/2026 13:41

They leave tomorrow 😬

You probably should have said that sooner then 🤣

If you're not going to see them again for a while, I'd probably suck it up for one dinner. But I am also constantly knackered so I get it!

BigHoops · 22/05/2026 13:42

OP I really relate to this! Similar age to you, parents also in their 70s. They have lots of energy in the evenings and this is always an issue when they come to stay. They live a few hours drive away so when they visit us it's usually for a few nights and they stay here.

Meanwhile, like you, DH and I are exhausted by the time the evening rolls around. We both work full-time, primary aged kids who keep us on our toes and life is relentless. I think I'm also experiencing peri symptoms so it isn't helping.

My dad always wants to go out or chat over alcohol, meanwhile my mum can't seem to amuse herself and requires constant chatter at night.

DH and I usually go to bed by 9.30pm and they would prefer to stay up till 11!

My DM will make comments about 'i don't recall being so tired when I was at your stage'. No, you don't - because you didn't work and you always had a mega nap during the day! She still has her nap now which means she's raring to go after the evening meal.

She's coming to stay this weekend and I'm kind of dreading the evenings. It's been another exhausting week and I just want a chilled weekend and not to be made to feel guilty for being tired...

Whereisthisheatwavethen · 22/05/2026 13:41

takealettermsjones · 22/05/2026 13:40

Why don't you tell them you'd be happy to do that tomorrow night but you'll be skipping the afternoon walk so you can have downtime/a nap then instead?

They leave tomorrow 😬

OP posts:
takealettermsjones · 22/05/2026 13:40

Why don't you tell them you'd be happy to do that tomorrow night but you'll be skipping the afternoon walk so you can have downtime/a nap then instead?

Whereisthisheatwavethen · 22/05/2026 13:35

DidILeaveTheGasOn · 22/05/2026 13:33

I don't think you can be unreasonable for being tired.

But does this seem like a situation I should be so tired from? I feel bad as obviously when people are on holiday they probably like to go out in the evening

OP posts:
DidILeaveTheGasOn · 22/05/2026 13:33

I don't think you can be unreasonable for being tired.

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