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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect adult children to contribute?

89 replies

maparole · 24/11/2013 14:39

This is completely academic now, because I have left my ex, but there was an issue which always caused rows and I still ponder on whether I was justified.

Ex had three grown sons - the youngest already 18 when I met him. We lived abroad, so we got into the routine of all three coming to stay for a week or so in the summer, sometimes with girlfriends as well. This was always good fun but obviously entailed a lot of extra work for me and a massive extra cost.

We ran a business together and for the first few years we were doing well, the DSSs were still studying, etc, and the expense of these visits were never an issue to me. However, latterly we were VERY short of money, DSSs were all grown men with excellent jobs and I began to feel that they should be expected to chip in for groceries, petrol, etc, and not simply expect us to fund an all-in holiday for them all every year.

It didn't help that our own DS's birthday is at the same time and I was always struggling to afford his presents (always modest anyway) and party. The cost of the three to six extra people meant we would spend in a week what would normally do for a month.

Whenever I tried to broach this with ex (who never shopped or took any responsibility for finances), he would just fly into a rage and accuse me of "hating" his sons or trying to stop him seeing them. To me, it is simply common good manners to offer a contribution if you stay in someone else's home ... even a small token gift or the offer to take us out for a meal would have shown some appreciation.

Odd that this one small problem in a relationship fraught with huge problems should continue to niggle me, but I'd love to have some independent views on it.

OP posts:
Annunziata · 24/11/2013 14:41

If that week was the only week you saw them, I think that YABU.

ImperialBlether · 24/11/2013 14:43

It's difficult because obviously if they were living with you it would be expected that they contribute.

Was that week in the summer the only week he'd see them? If so, if I were him I'd expect to treat them.

HOWEVER if they could see that you were broke, then they should have bought groceries and wine etc. Certainly their girlfriends shouldn't have expected to stay for free.

RedHelenB · 24/11/2013 14:44

I think YABU - they were family & it was only one week.

DioneTheDiabolist · 24/11/2013 14:44

While it would be polite and lovely of your DSs to contribute, I wouldn't ask any guest of mine to chip in. I lived quite far from home for many years and would have been shocked if my parents asked me for money during my trips home.

When your DS is older and comes home to visit with his GF/DW will you be asking him for money?Confused

ilovesooty · 24/11/2013 14:45

I think it would have been good manners if they had offered to contribute.

OldBagWantsNewBag · 24/11/2013 14:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fatpony · 24/11/2013 14:57

I think Yanbu-I live far from my parents and we always come with a few bottles of wine/nice cheese and if staying for a week would grocery shop and cook supper/lunch at least once in the week. Sometimes would take them out instead...

BackforGood · 24/11/2013 15:00

YABU- they had already paid out the flights (presumably?) to come and see you for that week. Of course it's NU to expect their Dad to stretch to some extra food.

CreamyCooler · 24/11/2013 15:05

I agree with BackforGood. Plus staying in someone's home is never the same as a proper holiday. Sounds like they see it as a family visit and not a cheap/free holiday.

Nanny0gg · 24/11/2013 15:14

However, latterly we were VERY short of money, DSSs were all grown men with excellent jobs and I began to feel that they should be expected to chip in for groceries, petrol, etc, and not simply expect us to fund an all-in holiday for them all every year.

and

Whenever I tried to broach this with ex (who never shopped or took any responsibility for finances), he would just fly into a rage and accuse me of "hating" his sons or trying to stop him seeing them.

Explains why he's your Ex.

Yes they should have contributed and your Ex should have explained the situation to them. That's what you do with family.

thebody · 24/11/2013 15:23

I expect your ex was embarrassed that he wasn't as well off as he had been and felt diminished as a father and husband in this and would have been embarrassed to tell his successful sons.

of course he didn't want to ask them for money to cover a family visit.

surely you can see this?

maparole · 24/11/2013 15:25

When your DS is older and comes home to visit with his GF/DW will you be asking him for money?

When he is fully grown and working, I'd very much expect that he'd have the consideration to offer to shop and cook or take me out for a meal one evening, put some petrol in the car after he has used it, bring a couple of bottles of wine with him, etc. If not, I'd be very disappointed with my parenting.

Their dad always saw them frequently.

Interesting split of opinions Wink

OP posts:
TobyLerone · 24/11/2013 15:37

YABU.

OldBagWantsNewBag · 24/11/2013 15:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SoonToBeSix · 24/11/2013 15:42

Yabu, they were guests in their fathers house.

SunshineMMum · 24/11/2013 15:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SirChenjin · 24/11/2013 15:46

YANBU - it's surely only manners to take your hosts out for a meal, or chip in for food when you're staying for a full week (and even more so if you've taken your GF/BF along...). I'm not sure that I would have asked for it, but would certainly like to think that any guests would make a nominal gesture at least.

I wonder though if your ex was too proud, and preferred to pretend that all was well financially - esp. if you'd had a successful business?

Shonajoy · 24/11/2013 15:51

It wouldn't sit well with me either to be honest. If they didn't live with you, then YABU to expect them to pay, but they should bring something, IMO.

BigFatGoalie · 24/11/2013 15:58

We live in the uk and go home to our families abroad once a year/18 months. We are both working adults and ALWAYS contribute to whoever we are staying with, in the form if groceries, taking the family out for dinner and sometimes (for DH's family who struggle with money at times) with cash that we hide in an envelope with a thank you card for them to find once we have gone. My parents always say no to any contributions as they are really well off, but we always buy groceries and stock the cupboards. It's only manners. Why should they pay for us when we are using their water, electricity AND feeding and watering us? We love them and are so grateful for the "free" accommodation it's the absolute least we can do. Having family to stay (we have at least one lot for a couple of weeks a year) is expensive, especially in this economic climate, and there are always days out, extra excursions etc you wouldn't go on if they weren't here. We love our families and don't want to be a financial "burden", so we are EXTRA sensitive to the fact that they are spending money on/with us that could go to school fees, their monthly groceries etc.
We pay our way, always.

YANBU

Mumraathenoisylion · 24/11/2013 16:00

YABU

bakingaddict · 24/11/2013 16:01

His sons come to see him one week a year and you expect them to chip in towards living costs. Quite frankly I find that shocking behaviour on your part. It's a weeks visit once a year and surely you know in advance when they are coming, it's not like they've turned up unannounced.

At the end of the day your ex was still their father, what parent doesn't want to spoil their children especially if it's just a yearly visit. Just because children are grown up doesn't mean this desire lessens in any way. I find your attitude a little hard-hearted

My family live a long way and for part of the visit I stay in a hotel, I never see it as a holiday or cheap holiday because I have lots of family obligations when I am there which means I don't get to do and see things I want like on holiday. Try not to think of everything in monetary terms and look back and see it as your ex enjoying time with his kids

Lariflete · 24/11/2013 16:02

They should have brought a gift but they really shouldn't have to 'contribute' to a grocery shop. He is their dad. I would never expect to pay for food when staying with my mum and dad unless it was for longer than two weeks.

fringles · 24/11/2013 16:02

Seems perfectly natural to me that an adult family would share living expenses a bit - groceries, petrol and the like, in a relaxed "Just popping to the shop, as I thought I'd cook tonight - do we need anything?" way, even if it was just over a week. That's how we've always done it, anyway - the 'host' does end up spending maybe a little more once utilities etc are covered, but in my experience the 'guests' more than make up for that in exciting bottle-shaped gifts and fashionable toiletries that the host wouldn't ordinarily buy!

Obviously if you can afford it and want to treat everyone then that's fine too, but once the kids are adults I'd expect them to appreciate that, and definitely still do the gifts part!

Lariflete · 24/11/2013 16:03

Just to add - they should pay their way during days out etc. but not for living costs at home.

Chippednailvarnish · 24/11/2013 16:05

I have often stayed with relatives abroad and I would expect to pay for the food shopping plus meals out as a minimum. I really don't get the idea that being a host means that your guests bleed you dry!