Do you enjoy having your parents come to stay?

[Feelbadtofeelthisway]

I have name changed as I feel bad writing this down. I am really close to my parents and they have always done lots for me. They live far away so when they visit, it’s always for a few days or longer. They are easy visitors as they help with tidying up, etc. But as I get older (40s now) I find all the extra noise and disruption of normal routine difficult. It’s much better if I we go to stay with them - probably because when I go to see them I am usually on holiday and it’s their house - difficult to explain….

I think when I was younger I was more tolerant, although my teenage DD feels the same way…. Is this normal?

Must be just me!

Pretty normal I would say! I feel the same. I think it’s just hard work having people in your own space even if it’s family (or maybe especially if it’s family!). I am really close to my family too but I sometimes find it all a bit intense. Like you say it can be easier going there.

Totally normal! I live 5000 miles from Uk and when my parents come and stay I always feel unsettled, not because they’re difficult (they’re wonderful), but because generally the kids are still in school and I’m at work, so never feel like I can mentally switch off and enjoy their company.

I’m going back to Uk over Easter to stay with them and I can’t wait. I’m on holiday, kids are on holiday and they’re retired so get to have much more fun!

Normal I think! I love my parents and enjoy seeing them but always feel on edge when they come to stay. It's just people in your house - and I think with parents it's the judgement (real or not) of how you do things. You were brought up their way, and now you do things differently. I know my parents don't care but I always feel weirdly guilty when I do something basic (like make a cup of tea) when I don't do it the same way they would.

Thank you for making me feel better.

Luckily my parents live within 5 min drive and 5 min walk away. But I never have anyone to stay. Even if they lived far away I couldn't handle it.
I've only had 1 friend ever 'stay over' and that was the night b4 her wedding
Which was ok. But I couldn't do it otherwise. Even for family