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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if it's wrong to assume this?

39 replies

BirdBox12 · 05/09/2023 18:02

Not saying who is who in this scenario as I feel it sways responses.
2 adult daughters living at home. One works very short hours but has a boyfriend who pays for everything and treats her constantly and both get spoilt by the parents of the daughters.
The other one is older, single and works but not many hours as has two health conditions which impact on movement and joints. Does a lot around the house and is expected to stay at home as won't be able to afford to move out as a single person in London. The youngest will most likely move but will be reliant on boyfriend for ongoing living because despite having good savings, does not work much at present.
Eldest does a lot around the house in terms of chores and so it's expected that she will stay at home way into the future to care for parents while other daughter and two other siblings all live their lives with partners. Aibu to say this would be assumed?

OP posts:
jax3068 · 05/09/2023 18:20

No, you shouldn't assume this.

jax3068 · 05/09/2023 18:20

@Stompythedinosaur yes, spot on

DarkWingDuck · 05/09/2023 18:24

It’s quite clear that you are the older one. Of course it shouldn’t be assumed, but if you live with your parents for all your life benefiting from low cost housing and bills for all those years then yes you probably should help them in their more senior years.

PinkRiceKrispies · 05/09/2023 18:24

I know many people in the youngest position who would be up shits creek if their partners left them and most definitely would end up back in the family home unable to support themselves as an individual.

Annaishere · 05/09/2023 18:26

It could end up that way but she might meet someone or earn more in the future

ErrolTheDragon · 05/09/2023 18:29

I can imagine that some wider family members of a senior generation might automatically fall into the trap of assuming that, yes.

The women I knew who were 'assumed' would be carers for their parents were a generation older than me and I'm over 60. Surely this sort of assumption should be long dead?!

TeaKitten · 05/09/2023 18:30

Very much depends on your ages. It shouldn’t be assumed though no, if you (older daughter) have health conditions affecting mobility then I wouldn’t assume you’d be doing the caring for your parents. If you are early 20s then younger sister may not last and itl be harder for her to move out. More information is needed really. Also, assumed by who?

Holly60 · 05/09/2023 18:33

I would assume that whichever siblings are still living at home would be contributing towards running the house and paying the bills.

I would assume that any sibling still living with their parents when they become elderly and more needy might end up doing more caring than the other siblings.

For all of these reasons I would advise all adult children to look at moving out as a serious option.

Katmai · 05/09/2023 18:53

I don't think that anyone (whichever family member they are) should assume that an adult child will be remaining in their parents' home to look after them into their old age.

Making assumptions about other people is rarely a good idea.

GP78 · 05/09/2023 19:04

WTAF have I just read 🤷‍♀️ why would the older one become a carer and stay at home, she's just as likely to find a partner as the younger one is to split from hers, nothing can be assumed in life.

stiffstink · 05/09/2023 19:34

Why is this only about the daughters? What are the two brothers mentioned at the end of the OP planning to contribute to the parents' care?

Jobsharenightmare · 05/09/2023 20:03

In my culture it would be typical for the female without children to take on a caring role for parents yes. If all the females have children then it would be typical for the elderly parents to live with the eldest son and his wife to provide care alongside carers.

I'm not saying I agree its right though before anyone comments.

Lilolilibet · 05/09/2023 20:12

It's very obvious you're the older one. It didn't sound fair but it's so obvious that I wonder how fair you're being. What difference does it make how much the younger one works?

RoadLess · 05/09/2023 20:19

Who is doing all this assuming? And are they doing it in 1934?

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