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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU in worrying that my son’s trip with his “friend” isn’t so innocent

364 replies

JosieMay1970 · 01/06/2026 17:19

My son (26) who never goes out, has told me he is going on a trip to London over the weekend to watch a show with his friend, he says they’ve booked separate rooms but I’m worried. He’s never talked about a girl before and claims they’re just friends.

My main concern is they’re going to be in a hotel together, albeit in separate rooms as he claims… does this trip sound like it’s just so he can get together with her intermittently?

AIBU in thinking this is more than just a friend and more than an innocent hotel stay?

OP posts:
MyDeftDuck · 01/06/2026 18:47

Why are you concerned that your 26 year old son might be sharing a hotel room? Surely, by now, you’ve had the ‘talk’ with him about where babies come from, that safe sex isn’t just about birth control, that STI’s can be passed on by an individual who might not know they’re infected, that woman can get pregnant the first time they have sex, that he should respect his partner and have equal self respect????
FFS OP, get a grip! Not denying that you love your son dearly but set him free…….or lose him forever!

Rhubarb24 · 01/06/2026 18:47

Overthehillmum63 · 01/06/2026 18:31

I totally understand. Most of the snippy replies here are from mothers of little kids and teenagers who have zero understanding and don’t realise they’ll soon have adult kids. Our worries as a mother are never ending. You worry as much when they’re 26 as when they’re six. Show an interest but don’t pressure and try not to worry. Ignore the catty remarks.

Not true. I have an 18.5 year old son. Next month I'm leaving him at home for 5.5 weeks while we go to Mongolia and China. He doesn't want to come as he wants to spend the summer with his girlfriend before he joins the Navy.

At 26 I'd already lived with an ex for 3 years, got engaged to my husband, had a toddler and had bought a house. Without my parents flapping about.

Being worried about your offspring is normal, but this is not normal behaviour.

*assuming any problems/deficits would have been mentioned.

SlashBeef · 01/06/2026 18:47

In what universe is this any of your business?!

user1469565563 · 01/06/2026 18:47

I think they meant 16

beencaughttrollin · 01/06/2026 18:46

I can totally see your utterly valid and galvanising concern here. In your place, I should be donning a full-face Boris Johnson mask, hiding behind a ficus in the hotel lobby until they arrive, slipping the receptionist a fistful of Euro to get me into a neighbouring room, and stealthily listening through the wall with a copa de balon. Happy sleuthing!! 😎

dadtoateen · 01/06/2026 18:46

JosieMay1970 · 01/06/2026 17:19

My son (26) who never goes out, has told me he is going on a trip to London over the weekend to watch a show with his friend, he says they’ve booked separate rooms but I’m worried. He’s never talked about a girl before and claims they’re just friends.

My main concern is they’re going to be in a hotel together, albeit in separate rooms as he claims… does this trip sound like it’s just so he can get together with her intermittently?

AIBU in thinking this is more than just a friend and more than an innocent hotel stay?

Sorry? He is 26??

It’s really non of your business what they may get up to.

sounds like he is gonna have a great weekend no matter what happens 👍

VeneziaJ · 01/06/2026 18:45

He is an adult!

Am99 · 01/06/2026 18:45

JosieMay1970 · 01/06/2026 17:19

My son (26) who never goes out, has told me he is going on a trip to London over the weekend to watch a show with his friend, he says they’ve booked separate rooms but I’m worried. He’s never talked about a girl before and claims they’re just friends.

My main concern is they’re going to be in a hotel together, albeit in separate rooms as he claims… does this trip sound like it’s just so he can get together with her intermittently?

AIBU in thinking this is more than just a friend and more than an innocent hotel stay?

Omg he’s 26??! Does it matter if he’s in a room with them or not, he’s a grown adult and unless there is any underlying issue with him, he is free to do as he pleases!

Walnutslooklikebrains · 01/06/2026 18:45

You can't be serious. I had a mortgage at 26.

Hamela · 01/06/2026 18:44

What, and I cannot stress this enough, THE FUCK are you posting this for? He's an adult man. I bet they will be fucking like animals, I certainly hope so, because that's entirely normal. Lucky devils to have a night of fun and escapism.

At that age I had a house and kids 😂 (Unless there's a huge drip feed, and he's developmentally delayed, or you are abusive and controlling to him?!)

shhblackbag · 01/06/2026 18:42

Crimblecrumblerules · 01/06/2026 18:39

Why don't they work?

I wondered that. Who pays for them to act like perpetual children?

Glittertwins · 01/06/2026 18:42

I’m hoping the 1% reasonable was a mistake!
He’s 26, let it go!!

UnctuousUnicorns · 01/06/2026 18:42

None of your beeswax. 🤷‍♀️

Nowthatshuge · 01/06/2026 18:41

JosieMay1970 · 01/06/2026 17:19

My son (26) who never goes out, has told me he is going on a trip to London over the weekend to watch a show with his friend, he says they’ve booked separate rooms but I’m worried. He’s never talked about a girl before and claims they’re just friends.

My main concern is they’re going to be in a hotel together, albeit in separate rooms as he claims… does this trip sound like it’s just so he can get together with her intermittently?

AIBU in thinking this is more than just a friend and more than an innocent hotel stay?

Ah OP you’re going to get eaten alive on here.
i just had a quick look at your username and seeing your other posts you seem maybe an anxious thinker?
if this situation with your adult son is genuinely worrying you then I honestly and kindly suggest you seek some therapy to help make your life more manageable. You won’t be doing anyone any favours with this level of inappropriate interfering in your sons life, there is probably a reason you feel the need to seek some kind of control over his actions.

TimorousOrBold · 01/06/2026 18:41

This has to be a wind up.

He’s 26!!

Beaniebobbins · 01/06/2026 18:41

Squirrelsnut · 01/06/2026 17:20

He's 26.

First post nails it! 😂😂

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 01/06/2026 18:40

😂 this has to be a joke?

MissMoneyFairy · 01/06/2026 18:39

JustFrustrated · 01/06/2026 18:35

Well I’m eagerly awaiting the update

Me too, I hope they enjoy themselves

AlternateLook · 01/06/2026 18:39

🍿Popcorn at the ready for this one.....😆

Crimblecrumblerules · 01/06/2026 18:39

Rhubarb24 · 01/06/2026 18:30

I don't know if it's a wind up but my cousin has just turned 27, is an adult virgin, as are her few friends. They are all in to KPop and act younger than my immature 15 year old, and are chuffed when people (like taxi drivers*) think they are 14. They don't drink so it doesn't occur to them to be offended or to start acting their age. They have never worked either.

There are a lot of adult children around that age, so you never know.

If it's true, it's about time you cut the umbilical cord.

*she was grinning and bragging about that the last time I saw her.

Edited

Why don't they work?

Silvertips · 01/06/2026 18:39

Wow, OP he's 26! If this is a genuine post then you need need to urgently re-evaluate your relationship with with your sun as its all kinds of weird.

ImpatientlyWaitingForSummer · 01/06/2026 18:39

Overthehillmum63 · 01/06/2026 18:31

I totally understand. Most of the snippy replies here are from mothers of little kids and teenagers who have zero understanding and don’t realise they’ll soon have adult kids. Our worries as a mother are never ending. You worry as much when they’re 26 as when they’re six. Show an interest but don’t pressure and try not to worry. Ignore the catty remarks.

So the never ending worries include worrying that your 26 year old son might be having sex? Christ I hope this is never me

NameChangeAgain48 · 01/06/2026 18:38

He's 26. Im sure he's able to make his own decisions.

GaurdRails · 01/06/2026 18:38

Don't worry OP, I'm the friend and I'm taking good care of him and giving him a practical explanation of the birds and the bees 🐦‍⬛🐝 (We've just been bird spotting, tomorrow we visit an apiary)

rwalker · 01/06/2026 18:36

CaptainMyCaptain · 01/06/2026 17:47

It wouldn't matter if it was a man
It's not illegal.

Absolutely