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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think my parents overstepped on our holiday arrangements?

260 replies

PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 03:26

AIBU to find this inapropriate?

Going to try not to write an essay, but I'm there will be people thinking I'm dripfeeding! Any questions ask...I'll try and put salient points.

This summer myself and my teenage DC were planning on a holiday in the UK. We had a place in mind but then my DP asked us to go somewhere with them. We agreed to do this trip with them instead. I found a small cottage for myself and my DC and they had seperate accomodation. We wanted to make them happy but also know we would never want to share accomodation due to their constant arguments - something I grew up with and still puts me on edge now. We also find them fine in small doses so I spoke to them and said we would spend a few days with them and a few days on our own, additionally the teens may want to do their own thing at times. They tried to overide this but I reiterated it and would have stuck to it. Additionally the teens and I are autistic and need some peace and quiet/time to ourselves. They are always on the go with a packed schedule.

Anyway, sadly something happened the day before we were due to go causing trauma to us all. The teens said they didn't want to go and neither did I, but the teens were concerned about ruining their GPs holiday and suggested I go anyway and I thought maybe the change of scene and time to myself might help. I didn't have much time to think but decided to go ahead once I knew teens would be looked after. I was very sad to go without them.

I decided to take the train and as I would be arriving late my dad offered to pick me up from the station. I said no need but he insisted so I thanked him and agreed. Later it was suggested they stay the night at the cottage as it would be late by the time they'd dropped me off. I agreed.

The journey was long and tiring and I had to hold in tears a lot. But I arrived at the station and was just looking for the exit when there was my dad videoing me, all jolly as if everything was fine. Bit my tongue, greeted him, tried to smile and got in the car. As we approached the cottage he told me it was good the teens hadn't come as it was too rural. We all knew exactly what it eas like - on the edge of a village with lots of walks/shops/cafes etc. Lots of nice walks. Lots of peace and quiet. I bit my tongue again as I was feeling their absence greatly. As we approach my dad tells me that they've decided to stay at the cottage with me as it is so rural. I try to make a joke of it while making clear I was not happy with that. Get told it would be best for them to stay with me. I'm still protesting as we arrive, explain with the recent truama I need some space. Arrive at the cottage where they have got their things all over. I'm just tired and go upstairs to find they have taken the master bedroom unpacked all their things and I'm expected to go in the room my teens were meant to be in, which made me so sad seeing the beds they should have been in.

At this point I snap and say I'll sleep in the lounge and will go home the next day. I explain how much they have upset me and that it is not ok to just decide things like this without speaking to me first. Apparently, they thought I'd be lonely, it's too rural and I'm 'killing them' by not just going along with their change of plans.

OP posts:
Sparrowsandbudgies · 14/07/2026 16:18

TheThirteenthFairy · 14/07/2026 16:11

No, this one. The first paragraph.

She’s talking about her parents, not partner.

TheThirteenthFairy · 14/07/2026 16:18

Zonder · 14/07/2026 16:08

Is this to the OP? I don't think she has referred to a partner, has she?

I took DP to mean dear partner, but she meant dear parents, I think. If she did mean parents, then I was wrong. But what abbreviation would be used for partner?

TheThirteenthFairy · 14/07/2026 16:11

Sparrowsandbudgies · 14/07/2026 16:09

I think you’ve posted on the wrong thread.

No, this one. The first paragraph.

Sparrowsandbudgies · 14/07/2026 16:09

TheThirteenthFairy · 14/07/2026 16:03

We don't care if your partner is male or female. Please don't use 'they' and 'them' in a post where sometimes these words refer to one person and sometimes these refer to two people. I don't want to read, and reread, and go back to check if I'm understanding what you wrote. I often can't be bothered.

I think you’ve posted on the wrong thread.

Escapingafter50years · 14/07/2026 16:08

Many people don't seem to have noticed this important info in the OP:

"We wanted to make them happy but also know we would never want to share accomodation due to their constant arguments - something I grew up with and still puts me on edge now. We also find them fine in small doses so I spoke to them and said we would spend a few days with them and a few days on our own, additionally the teens may want to do their own thing at times. They tried to overide this but I reiterated it and would have stuck to it. "
Also the parents saying OP is "killing them" by not going along with the parents unasked-for reworking of the plans is HIGHLY manipulative.

Look after yourself OP, you have grown up with parents who didn't allow you to be yourself. This dysfunction would have made you more vulnerable to abuse from a partner, as has evidently happened.

There are a bunch of books that could help you, Susan Forwards "Toxic Parents" being one. If that title is too scary for you right now perhaps try Lindsay C Gibson's "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents".
Also look at the Stately Homes threads here where you will find people who truly understand your situation and won't throw out stupid comments about your parents are only trying to be nice. They want to control you regardless of what you want.

I wish you well.

Zonder · 14/07/2026 16:08

TheThirteenthFairy · 14/07/2026 16:03

We don't care if your partner is male or female. Please don't use 'they' and 'them' in a post where sometimes these words refer to one person and sometimes these refer to two people. I don't want to read, and reread, and go back to check if I'm understanding what you wrote. I often can't be bothered.

Is this to the OP? I don't think she has referred to a partner, has she?

BuckChuckets · 14/07/2026 16:06

PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:42

As far as I know they did book their accomodation.

Another thing that really upset me is that at home I don't have a bedroom I sleep on the sofa. So when I go on holiday it is a real treat to have a double bed to spread out in and a wardrobe to put my clothes in.

So why the hell did they help themselves to the master? They sound pretty grim, I'm sorry.

TheThirteenthFairy · 14/07/2026 16:03

We don't care if your partner is male or female. Please don't use 'they' and 'them' in a post where sometimes these words refer to one person and sometimes these refer to two people. I don't want to read, and reread, and go back to check if I'm understanding what you wrote. I often can't be bothered.

Zonder · 14/07/2026 15:56

PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:11

Honestly hearing validation that I'm not just a drama queen and horrible person means so mich. They get in my head and make me think setting bpundarirs is selfish. .

That's because they don't seem to have boundaries.

PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:53

LondonLass2026 · 14/07/2026 08:32

my DP asked us to go somewhere with them. We agreed to do this trip with them instead.

So what's the issue? You said yes. Say no next time, then.

What's the issue - read the OP? Insensitive behaviour and then deciding to move into my holiday cottage!

OP posts:
PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:51

MyballsareSandy2015 · 14/07/2026 08:28

You’ve obv shared too much detail with them OP. Even to the point of a key safe code or similar.

With parents like this less is more.

what was the trauma? If you don’t mind sharing? I’m thinking a pet bereavement? Shame your teens decided not to go.

I don't want to talk about the trauma too much but it was regarding my abusive ex who did something to the DC but opened up old wounds for them and me.

OP posts:
MapleLeaf190 · 14/07/2026 15:46

PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:42

As far as I know they did book their accomodation.

Another thing that really upset me is that at home I don't have a bedroom I sleep on the sofa. So when I go on holiday it is a real treat to have a double bed to spread out in and a wardrobe to put my clothes in.

To be fair there was a bedroom for you, you just chose to sleep on the couch for some reason. How in the world can sleeping in a bedroom, you’ve never been to, such a big deal? I don’t think missing your kids so much you won’t sleep in the room they were supposed to have, is normal…
You do sound like a lot of work but it’s hard to know without having any idea what the traumatic event was before you left.

PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:46

Noshadelamp · 14/07/2026 07:53

You only see the parents side? Are you not capable of putting yourself in the position a child who's parents override and bully them at every turn?

Op like pp have said, it's ok to say no. No to your parents, no to your teens.
I'm not blaming you as it's clear your parents are dismissive of you, disrespectful and bullies. It's hard when you've been conditioned all your life to put everyone else first.
Start saying no and enforcing it.

"No this is my cottage that I paid for, you either leave and go to your accommodation or I'm leaving". Then follow through.

Don't make empty threats, you need to be able to enforce it or they wont take your seriously.

Thank you, thos is so helpful. I really think I have been conditioned to put everyone above me.

To be fair to my teens they did want me to have a holiday and thought the change of scene would help me as well ae not wanting to ruin my parent's holiday.

OP posts:
PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:42

YippyKiYay · 14/07/2026 07:30

I'd be telling them to get out of my room (master is clearly for you as you made the booking). Did they actually book any accommodation themselves or were they always planning on imposing?
Cheeky F*s
Clear them out

As far as I know they did book their accomodation.

Another thing that really upset me is that at home I don't have a bedroom I sleep on the sofa. So when I go on holiday it is a real treat to have a double bed to spread out in and a wardrobe to put my clothes in.

OP posts:
chocoluv · 14/07/2026 15:41

PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:33

Oh and yes, they have gone to their accomodation now. I've decided to stay as it is beautiful here and the solitude in nature is just what I need. Weird how my parents (well dad, really - this all came from him) doesn't know me at all. I've apologised for the upset last night but made clear my boundaries need to be respected. I'm cutting down the time I would have spent with them now but will still meet up with them. I've said we need to play it by ear at the moment.

That sounds perfect ❤️

I’m glad you spoke to them and they listened to you.

I think you were distressed over the trauma, upset your DCs weren’t coming and tired from the journey and so things just got on top of you.

It sounds as though staying in a rural cottage is exactly what you need right now 💐

Happyjoe · 14/07/2026 15:37

They were trying to help in their own way, but I think it may have been better not to have gone in the first place. You already knew you were not in the holiday mood and I think you may be sensitive right now as not in a good place - which is totally understandable.

Am sorry OP, that having such a rough time of it. I hope things get better asap.

Mygiddyvalentine · 14/07/2026 15:37

Well done @PeachesxBDA you handled that beautifully. Xx

2Rebecca · 14/07/2026 15:36

That’s good. I’m pleased they left. He sounded the overbearing one with his insistence on picking you up although many older people feel it’s rude not to pick people up which is why I wouldn’t have mentioned catching a train unless I wanted a lift

PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:36

Whyherewego · 14/07/2026 07:13

Why don't you go and stay in the cottage you booked for your parents ?

They don't have a cottage they have a guest room in a retirement complex.

OP posts:
PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:35

MyDeftDuck · 14/07/2026 07:07

This ……they must have had details of your booking, where to get keys/key code, and the address of the cottage!
Can’t help thinking that you have set yourself up by sharing too much information from the start.

I gave them the information based on them waiting there to pick me up off the train.

OP posts:
PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:33

DozyCrow · 14/07/2026 06:51

You're not unreasonable OP. Your DP may have thought they were doing something nice, providing company for you when you were all alone and having had something upsetting happen just before. However, they lack communication and should have discussed the change with you before making an assumption and just moving in to the cottage. The only unreasonable bit was sleeping in the lounge when there was another bedroom available. Is this happening in real time? Are you going to go home today, or are they prepared to go back to their own accommodation?

Oh and yes, they have gone to their accomodation now. I've decided to stay as it is beautiful here and the solitude in nature is just what I need. Weird how my parents (well dad, really - this all came from him) doesn't know me at all. I've apologised for the upset last night but made clear my boundaries need to be respected. I'm cutting down the time I would have spent with them now but will still meet up with them. I've said we need to play it by ear at the moment.

OP posts:
2Rebecca · 14/07/2026 15:28

I think in retrospect with their controlling personalities that was a mistake. Once it became clear they felt they had to stay overnight the first night if they were to pick you up because wherever they are staying is far too far away for them to just drive back I would have said in that case I would get a taxi or drive. I think if you get public transport you do make yourself dependent on the person giving a lift if they are anti taxi which many older people are. They maybe felt if you are that remote with no car they’d be doing all the driving. They still should have asked before assuming they could stay more than 1 night but I would have still taken a car to have more independence or not told them I was getting a train and just said I’d see them the day after I arrived so they had no reason to come to my house on arrival day and got settled in their own place

Mygiddyvalentine · 14/07/2026 15:24

PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:15

They weren't staying in a cottage. I booked my cottage. The key was under thr front mat.. i agreed thry could go in the cottage to wait yo pick me up from the station. Then I also agreed they could stay the night.

From my reading, you agreed to that as things progressed after they insisted on collecting you or was it in advance?

What is happening today?

PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:18

DozyCrow · 14/07/2026 06:51

You're not unreasonable OP. Your DP may have thought they were doing something nice, providing company for you when you were all alone and having had something upsetting happen just before. However, they lack communication and should have discussed the change with you before making an assumption and just moving in to the cottage. The only unreasonable bit was sleeping in the lounge when there was another bedroom available. Is this happening in real time? Are you going to go home today, or are they prepared to go back to their own accommodation?

It was late annd I found yhe thought og sleeping in that room distressing. I feel ok abouy iy now. I had a perfectly comfortable night on the sofa.

OP posts:
PeachesxBDA · 14/07/2026 15:15

JetFlight · 14/07/2026 06:37

Did your parents book both cottages? I can see why they thought it would make sense.
They sound like they’re trying to be understanding and do the right thing but just get it wrong and mismatched for op.

They weren't staying in a cottage. I booked my cottage. The key was under thr front mat.. i agreed thry could go in the cottage to wait yo pick me up from the station. Then I also agreed they could stay the night.

OP posts: