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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Our guests are hinting they wont leave .. continued thread …

802 replies

Duvetdaysaregood · 23/01/2023 09:31

Did anyone read my previous thread were dd bf invited his parents to stay over Christmas and it was awful? Seemed to be dominating our household etc. bit of a user . We got some very good advice.

We have now been thrown a bit of a new situation and would appreciate advice please.

Our dd has kindly booked us a weekend away , her and us . We were over the moon until we heard the words and bf can come and look after the pets . ( we normally take with us , but cannot to this venue ) .

In the previous thread I identified that the bf said to us he considered our home one of his bases.
There is a backstory in the thread but don't know how to link !

We really dont want him to be in our home by himself (and also possibly invite parents again. )
In the face of our daughters genuine kindness we are instead of feeling pleased , stressed.
We don't want to lose her by insulting her bf , but anyone who has read the previous thread will know why this is really not on .

What in earth can we say to our dd?
We also would like advice on what do to in future a
s we feel that anytime we go away our home may be seen as an opportunity to be moved into as he may see it as a chance for a free holiday ( again if you read the backstory , you will know why)

( we cannot really say oh so and so is moving in for a week to deter ? As this gives the idea its fine for people to move into our home. Of course if it was our dd or other family members it would go without question they are welcome to use our home , we would be glad to let them use it .)
Simply do not know how to deal
with this and as said we don't want to lose dd over the fact that we do not want her bf using our house when we are away — she knows we are naturally inclusive people and will sus that this is not how we are and be surprised if we say no . . she will ask why.. especially has done something so kind for us .

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
trucklebrunch · 23/01/2023 11:17

Book the pets into kennels
Change the locks
Lock up the house
Notify neighbours to keep an eye on the property
Get a ring doorbell that you can monitor any comings and goings while you are away

Sit your daughter down and tell her you don't want BF staying over anymore - end of story

Don't give her a key to new locks.

Really...you need to be tough here, this is your home and it's clearly stressing you out.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 23/01/2023 11:18

... she may not be willing to accept or hear our reservations

She doesn't have to hear or accept them ... maybe it's time to wise up and realise that it's your home, your reservations and you're entitled to them.
Very possibly she will consider you "the bad guys" for a while, but unless she's completely stupid she'll get over that, and in any case it may be a price worth paying to save this dragging on and on

Given the stealing, the "sport" he's obsessed with and the aggressive attitude I'm also wondering about drugs - steroids at least and possibly worse, which if I'm right could also be another reason to stop enabling this nonsense

CleopatrasBeautifulNose · 23/01/2023 11:18

Duvetdaysaregood · 23/01/2023 11:01

Dd has noticed that we are getting older and wants to spend time with us as a family . That is why he is not invited .

Yes I'm sure this is one reason for the lovely surprise. I'm another one who is suspicious of the purity of the motive. Not your DD necessarily, but the character you describe the bf to be would be perfectly capable of a little manipulation to steer this set up. It wouldn't take much to suggest, and influence what a lovely idea it would be...

My DC know full well that a good host provides a welcome, hospitality etc but that can only be happily given if the guest is a good guest also, appreciative, respectful, contributed to the work.
Either one can't happen without the other.
Surely your DD knows this so that makes the 'this doesn't work for us' conversation simple.

You shouldn't need strategies or lies... Just set your stall out now because if you can't do this now you're in for a lifetime of misery if she does marry him. You can be calm and clear and of she doesn't like it maybe she needs a think about who she trusts too do the decent thing more, him or you. Maybe a little light shone is no bad thing.

HyggeTygge · 23/01/2023 11:19

All the hand-wringing and thinking of excuses!?!

Seriously. You need to tell your daughter your wishes - that you don't want anyone else living in the house while you're away. So what if you've done it before? You're allowed to change your minds.

"No sorry, we'd really prefer not to." Then change the subject if she's understood.

DoristheDuchess · 23/01/2023 11:19

Shying away from having an uncomfortable conversation isn't actually doing any favours to her or you. You think you're keeping the peace, what you're actually doing is being groomed to relinquish your boundaries and become more easily manipulated.

You may be setting your daughter up for a rocky future with this guy if you don't stand firm now. I second scorchedbeastqueen's post.

You are still a parent, you need to guide her not tie yourself up in knots dodging the truth with excuses.

MyPurpleHeart · 23/01/2023 11:20

Being soft will get you nowhere with people like this. Be honest and be firm. You don't want her boyfriend staying in the house while you are away and will make alternative arrangements

Regardless of who you have offered it to in the past, that's your choice. Its your house to offer as you see fit. You don't need to justify your decision to anyone.

Tell them both its a no and if he uses her key to access the house after this conversation then you'll be contacting the police as you've made your choice perfectly clear.

Stop making excuses that he will find a way around and be direct. Its the best way

CleopatrasBeautifulNose · 23/01/2023 11:20

Yes yes yes @DoristheDuchess

Ridemeginger · 23/01/2023 11:22

Jeez, I get the heebie-jeebies listening to your description of this bloke and his equally odious family.

You are not doing your daughter any favours here. I am guessing she's an only child and you've probably indulged her a lot. However, if you keep facilitating this relationship with your pussy-footing around, you are helping to saddle her with, at best, a cocklodging user, at worst, a coercive controlling abuser who will be doing his best to make sure any money/property she receives/inherits from you goes into this pockets.

So he does nice things for her? So what, that's the minimum bar for any romantic relationship. How do you think any abuser gets his feet under the table - by being a complete arsehole and hoping she'll still fall for him? Of course not, they do just enough to wheedle their way in. And once she's hooked, the sheep's clothing is cast off.

You're lucky you are getting a glimpse of who he is. Even if your daughter is not ready to see it, you need to mark out your boundaries and make sure you are not groomed along with her. As pp have said, if he doesn't have you in his pocket, he may not want your daughter anyway. You can support your daughter without getting sucked into a relationship with him where you can't say no. If your daughter is upset by this, then be firm that this is your home, not hers, that she has no right to make assumptions about its use. You need to start treating her like the grown up she apparently thinks she is by being in this relationship and ignoring the warning signs. She might flounce, just make sure she knows you are there when she (and she alone) needs your support.

Change the locks, padlocks if necessary, get a dog sitter, do whatever you need to do to ensure this man does not stay in your home. If your daughter is upset by this, then don't go on the trip. Whatever you do, don't just give in and hope for the best - you already know there is no version of the best with this man.

Crumpleton · 23/01/2023 11:22

Haven't read all the replies but unless you want this to carry on for as long as your DD is with her DP/ the rest of your life I think you're just going to come clean and tell her that the Christmas scenario made you feel at best uncomfortable and worst a stranger in your in home.
She may say you're being silly and unreasonable but deep down even she must see it's incredibly rude to behave as her DP/DPP did at Christmas.

Is there a chance that it's your DD partner that has planned this trip so he can have a jolly at your house, maybe even inviting friends/family too?

SaltanVinegar · 23/01/2023 11:22

You need to nip this in the bud now or he/they will feel free to take advantage of you for years to come. There’s no other way to stop this than to be firm with both your Dd and her user of a boyfriend. She might well be annoyed by you, but you cannot live your life trying to placate people like this.

Be honest with her, deal with the fall out. If she can’t see past him, it’s not your fault. She’s an adult.

Alleycat1 · 23/01/2023 11:23

Good grief, OP, why all the pussy footing around? Just say NO! Don't lie and make excuses as they will only come round and bite you on the bum. Tell your daughter the truth, change the locks, make arrangements for the pets, install a ring doorbell and, just in case, put locks on doors of rooms you don't want him to have access to.
Your daughter is not a child and doesn't need to be protecte d. Your feelings are valid.

crumpet · 23/01/2023 11:23

Surely if she wants to spend time with you as you’re getting older/there have been recent losses etc, then she can also understand that now you have reached this stage you are no longer willing to do hose swaps/let people stay when you’re not there? Things change as people grow older and this is one of them.

But do change the locks - say (if you have to) that you lost your keys and had to change the locks as a result.

crumpet · 23/01/2023 11:24

And yes to a ring door bell!

Naunet · 23/01/2023 11:24

Duvetdaysaregood · 23/01/2023 11:08

We are scared to tell he because she will not see what we have seen .
he stole from a shop when we were with him and she denies it . Therefore she may not be willing to accept or hear our reservations . His behaviour, apart from the stealing, is subtle at times and very hard to explain .. she will dismiss it .

we anticipate that he would get upset and she would think we are the bad guys .
I am aware we need to say no and call him out in future . Eg last time he came he commented on a book i am reading .. there is no way he would know that if he had not gone into my bedroom. I didn't say anything as i was so shocked . From now on we will question such behaviour , set boundaries and be ready for it . He thinks he can go anywhere in our home it seems .

But you don’t need to go into any of that, you just say no, you’ve made other arrangements and if she pushes you tell her it is YOUR home and she’s not at liberty to hand it out to her boyfriend whenever she feels like it. It wouldn’t matter if you thought he was the best guy in the world, shes still taking the piss thinking she gets to tell you who is staying there.

CleopatrasBeautifulNose · 23/01/2023 11:26

Xmas was different, you were ambushed by the entitled disrespect and the people were already in your house.
There's no reason to leave your guard down and allow them to walk all over you when you know full well what you can expect.

Thingshavebecomeweird · 23/01/2023 11:28

Put the dogs in kennels and just say you prefer that to having to prepare the house. She can read between the lines, or not.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 23/01/2023 11:29

Shying away from having an uncomfortable conversation isn't actually doing any favours to her or you. You think you're keeping the peace, what you're actually doing is being groomed to relinquish your boundaries and become more easily manipulated

Exactly - and worse still it's setting a terrible example to DD in how to handle relationships, which is hardly helpful and may even explain why she's hanging onto this loser

Nobody suggests it's easy, but putting some boundaries in place is this only sensible option with someone like this, and will work out best for everyone in the end

Lovelysausagedogscrumpy · 23/01/2023 11:30

This is your home and you are entitled to say who stays and who doesn’t. If you don’t nip this in the bud situations like this will keep cropping up. I would be honest and say you would prefer to put the dogs in kennels so that the house can be locked up and secured while you are away. Not personal, no reflection on anyone, just for your own peace of mind.

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 23/01/2023 11:31

You're not responsible for other people's reactions OP.

Yours only responsible for your own actions.

Just tell her that you cannot have him staying at your house and you've found alternative accomodation for the pets.

She either respects your boundaries or she doesn't. And you move accordingly.

Mumsanetta · 23/01/2023 11:31

Sorry @Duvetdaysaregood but there’s no real way around it. If you manage to avoid the conversation now it will just come up again later. You have to be open and honest with your daughter. She is an adult but the principles of raising children remain the same - you can’t let fear of fall out or tantrums dictate your behaviour as it is never worth it in the long run. How your daughter responds is up to her. Her DP sounds like a chancer and user and she will find out sooner or later but do your bit by modelling good boundaries for her rather than reinforcing the idea that his behaviour and treatment of your home is ok.

wednesdaynamesep · 23/01/2023 11:32

I just skim read the previous thread and it gave me the creeps. There is a culture difference in my family too (DH is British, my family are not), and there is a culture of male chivalry in my country that DH just lacks.

Examples: First thing the men do when they walk into a room in the evening, is check whether anyone wants a drink (women never pour drinks). DH seems to think he's a guest, and sits about getting waited on.

If the women have gone grocery shopping, men come out to help carry in anything heavy. Doesn't even occur to DH. I have to ask / tell him to do it in the UK.

Going on a long journey: men tend to pack the car boots, fetching and carrying heavy items from the house. DH sits on his arse (in the UK I pack the boot because he's useless at it).

A man would never walk through a door ahead of a women; DH thinks nothing of it.

The one that embarrasses me the most: when food is being served and there is a crowd, children get served first, then women, and the men go last. At Christmas, I turned around to see my DH cheerfully piling his plate high while the women and children waited, and the men were standing back chatting, watching and waiting. First in the queue. I have spoken about this to him before, and his logic is the men take too long and their food gets cold.

I see it all and it embarrasses me. I don't notice it as much in the UK because chivalry is a bit dead here, and he's one of many. But crikey, in my country he comes across as seriously rude and lazy. I am slightly irritated with him the whole stay, and that irritation eases when back in the UK.

My point is, your daughter already knows what her bf is, because you raised her and she knows how all your family and friends behave. She shares your values. She's in denial about her bf, or hoping you haven't noticed.

If you gently tell her you felt taken advantage of, don't like the way he talks to her Dad, did not appreciate him going into your bedroom or helping himself without asking first etc, then she'll know you've seen it too. It won't be a surprise. She might be miffed you won't participate in wilful blindness, but too bad. It's her job to manage the relationship between you and him, not yours ... she's the common link. You need to set boundaries though, and be very clear about what you do and do not expect.

In my case, my DH gets his ass handed to him every time ... by me. Imagine fierce whispers: "All the men are fetching and carrying and packing the car ...move your arse and help please !"

I also have massive mental load to anticipate his lack of chivalry and warn him in advance: "When we get to 'x' do NOT sit down until all the women and elderly are seated first. If a woman walks in and there isn't a seat ... stand up and give her yours." I do get push back: "That's just stupid / sexist etc". My response is "My country, my family, my rules...". Your daughter needs to do the same.

Finally, I've told my mum and sister I've noticed it all too and it embarrasses me. They haven't raised it with me ... I got there first. I explained things are very different in the UK. I think they feel a twinge of sympathy for my DH whenever he slips up because they know he's probably going to get told off by me when we're alone.

Having said all that, I think there's more to your daughter's bf than just a culture difference. I'm afraid he sounds like a bit of a creep. Watch him closely. And maybe calling this out now will help your daughter to see him for who he is, instead of everyone supporting her denial by participating in a delusion that there's nothing odd about it.

Greatly · 23/01/2023 11:33

RebelliousStarrChild · 23/01/2023 09:41

Get a professional pet sitter, say its because you're worried the dogs will be too much to manage or it won't be fair to leave it to her bf.

This.

Bogofftosomewherehot · 23/01/2023 11:35

What have I just read! - both this thread and you're previous one.

Grow a backbone and take back control of your own home and who you let in it.

Time for you to have a grown up chat with your daughter and say that you need to set some manageable boundaries after the Xmas fiasco. Tell her straight that him (and potentially his parents) being at yours when you're away is outside of your comfort zone and will not be happening.

I cannot believe that a professional couple in their 60's are acting like doormats in their own place to an arrogant young man. Why didn't you call him out for being in your room, not helping, classing your home as one of his basses, etc. Stand up for yourselves!

You say they may get married - set this straight now and give your DD a sense of reality. She's 24 not 4 and intelligent to boot!! Just because she chooses to curtail to his shit doesn't mean you have to.

HowcanIhelp123 · 23/01/2023 11:35

@Duvetdaysaregood Can you not say "Hi DD, thank boyfriend for the lovely offer, so nice of him to think of us but we're not comfortable having people stay in the house while we are away so we've got the dogs booked into .... Can't wait for the weekend! Hope to see you both soon, love OP"

Also, change the locks. When your DD finds out just tell her the lock jammed or you locked yourself out so had to get them changed. If she asks about getting a key ask her why, she isn't going to be there when you're not, she doesn't live there anymore. Do you have a key to her place? If not remind her of that. If she asks about it being her home just say of course and if she wants to move back in she is always welcome to but you thought she was happy in her home with boyfriend and is there anything she wants to talk about.

springerspanielpuppy · 23/01/2023 11:36

Duvetdaysaregood · 23/01/2023 11:08

We are scared to tell he because she will not see what we have seen .
he stole from a shop when we were with him and she denies it . Therefore she may not be willing to accept or hear our reservations . His behaviour, apart from the stealing, is subtle at times and very hard to explain .. she will dismiss it .

we anticipate that he would get upset and she would think we are the bad guys .
I am aware we need to say no and call him out in future . Eg last time he came he commented on a book i am reading .. there is no way he would know that if he had not gone into my bedroom. I didn't say anything as i was so shocked . From now on we will question such behaviour , set boundaries and be ready for it . He thinks he can go anywhere in our home it seems .

His behaviour, apart from the stealing, is subtle at times and very hard to explain .. she will dismiss it, we anticipate that he would get upset and she would think we are the bad guys

This is irrelevant though because you don't need to prove anything you just need ground rules that she has to respect. She can't dismiss your feelings or reasons for not wanting his family in your house or him when you are not there. She has to respect your ground rules whatever they are.

He thinks he can go anywhere in our home it seems well he can unless you put a stop to it. 60's isn't old why don't you and your DD have adult conversations?

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