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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel sad my adult son prefers his girlfriends parents to his own

285 replies

Bossie21 · 02/01/2026 22:28

i thought we were a close family, I have spent my life investing in raising my children and building what I thought was a close family.
my eldest son has been with his girlfriend for just over 2 years, she is nice, spends time at ours and comes out with us and has been a holiday with us. My son has done the same with her family.
they born still live at home but are moving in together at the end of January.
I have noticed over the last 6 months they have started spending most of their time at her parents house and can’t make decisions without her dad agreeing. I have always taught my children to make their own choices and be their own person. I don’t feel he is now.
they have booked a holiday for a week with her parents this year. I have just asked if he is coming on our annual family holiday (i
book 2 weeks but happy for them both to
come for some or all) and he’s said they can’t commit so don’t boom them a space. I am very upset they can commit to her parents but not us.
Am I right to feel a little bit hurt?

OP posts:
Heronwatcher · 03/01/2026 00:26

YABVU I am afraid.

Starting “totting up” time spent with the other side of the family is a slippery slope into becoming the Mother/ MIL from Hell.

Don’t take it personally. There could be a large number of reasons for this. Concentrate on building your own fulfilling life and being an interesting/ fun/ relaxed person to be around and it will even out eventually.

SevenYellowHammers · 03/01/2026 00:27

OK… old fashioned saying coming up: a son is a son until he grow wife, but a daughter is a daughter all of her life. Outdated and sexist but we know these these ideologies prevail.

KrimboBell · 03/01/2026 00:27

I have 2 married daughters. The one is local and we spend a lot of time together. The other lives about 200 miles away and hardly ever calls or visits. She is always with her in laws. They in-laws are a boozy bunch who love to party and we don’t drink much so I think that has a lot to do with it but it does hurt so no yanbu but that’s life.

bookworm2026 · 03/01/2026 00:29

HighStreetOtter · 02/01/2026 23:11

I don’t think it’s on any woman to tell her partner when to visit or call his parents , that’s on him! The same way for her DS it’s on him, I don’t think the OP is blaming the gf at all.

OP, I get it and am in the same boat but with me it’s Dd who likes spending more time with her bf’s family than us. And sadly they’re the other side of the world so Dd flies out there for months at a time! She’s literally spent 6 months the other side of the world this last year!

I think you misunderstood @BettysRoasties comment.

gillefc82 · 03/01/2026 00:29

I think it’s just a reflection of the fact that daughters/daughters in law generally put more effort and energy into managing and maintaining all the familial relationships, and that this usually results in a natural bias (conscious or otherwise) towards her own original family unit.

I wouldn’t worry too much re the holiday situation. Myself and my DH have been together 15.5 years and in that time have only been on one holiday abroad with his Mum, Stepdad, younger Bro, fiance, their kiddies, and 2 trips with his Dad and Dad’s partner. Over the same period, and excluding the few Covid years with restricted travel, we’ve holidayed abroad with my parents every year and also had a few UK breaks together. We’ve also had 4–5 wider family holidays abroad with my parents, brothers, SILs, niblings.

Some of that is influenced by factors like his Mum and Stepdad being extreme creatures of habit: same two weeks, spent in the same Turkish resort, at the same hotel, eating in the same restaurants EVERY SINGLE YEAR - they love it, but it’s definitely not our idea of the ideal holiday. Plus them preferring to eat a very early dinner and go to bed early, and whilst we are far from crazy party people, we like having a few drinks and staying up slightly when we are kicking back on our holiday.

But honestly the main factor just comes down to basic consideration and planning. DH’s family tend to go ahead and book their trips very much for themselves, and wouldn’t even think to ask us about our plans and if we’d be potentially interested in going along. Whereas between me and my parents, we will chat about our potential mutual holiday plans for the upcoming year well before anything has been arranged.

I’m also increasingly conscious that my parents aren’t getting any younger and are suffering with more and more health issues, and with no guarantees of how much time we might have left, I want to enjoy every opportunity to spend quality time with them whilst I still can.

Although I’d say my DH is generally pretty good and considerate with regarding his family, how often he sees them etc, I’m definitely closer to, and make more of an effort with, mine. I think it’s only natural that the result is us spending more of our time in their company and, by that measure, “choosing” them over his.

Try not to dwell on your son seemingly ’choosing’ his GF’s family over yours. Instead, be glad that he’s got a great set of “in-laws” who like him/he likes and are already happily treating him as a part of their family. Try to invest your energy in ensuring he and his GF feel as welcomed, loved and appreciated when in your company as possible. That way when they do choose to spend time with you, you all have the most enjoyable time in each other’s company and you’ll be laying the foundations of a relationship that is solid and mutually supportive/appreciative - should their partnership ultimately progress to marriage and/or grandchildren, the benefits of that approach will quickly become apparent.

bookworm2026 · 03/01/2026 00:33

Nanalovesnature · 02/01/2026 23:14

I have the same thing with one of my sons. We were incredibly close but now his whole love revolves around his girlfriend's family. They bought a house 5 minutes away from them and an hour and a half away from us. Spent the whole of Christmas and New year with her family. We begged and begged to see them but they were always busy. Eventually they allowed us to go round on Sunday 28 December in the morning. Nothing we can do about it other than keep our mouths shut and be thankful for what we get.

That is a little odd tbh. Until I bought a house with bf (now husband) we always had Christmas lunch with our own families and saw each other either before or after lunch (40 mins drive).

Once house was bought, we had both sides to our tiny little house.

Foggytree · 03/01/2026 00:33

Did you go on holiday with your parents as an adult? I didn't- not after the age of 18, nor did any of my friends. I would say that's the way of things..

MsPavlichenko · 03/01/2026 01:05

Bossie21 · 02/01/2026 22:30

AIBU to think they should share time equally?

Yes. They’re adults, they can and should plan themselves.

AmyW9 · 03/01/2026 01:27

I feel for you OP, but YABU.

My MiL makes far too much effort, positioned as coming from a good place but all it does is make us feel pressured.

I.e. Booking holidays (which she plans the entirity of, often to wholly unsuitable places for our young DD) and just expecting us to come along, weekly invites to her house, even more frequent excuses made to come to us, non-stop gifts for our DDs etc.... It's kind on the surface but it's suffocating and feels manipulative - we are so aware she wants more time with us. The way I feel makes me feel like a terrible person, and as a result I've reduced the contact with her. Just to give a DiL's perspective here...

Reduce the effort, and you might find things shift.

WiltedLettuce · 03/01/2026 01:38

Women tend to organise more stuff. These imbalances usually result from that.

HollieDay07 · 03/01/2026 01:45

I have an adult DD who has a partner and as much as I absolutely adore spending time with my DD I’m very aware that she doesn’t ’owe’ me any time. She still lives at home but will be moving out in the spring. It hurts like hell to think about but we have to let go and sure enough they’ll come back. If she wanted to spend her first Christmas with just her and her partner then that would be fine. They have their own lives, they might not spend equal time with both sets of parents but they shouldn’t have to.
My advice would be go with the flow, you make plans, let them know they’re invited but if they don’t come, you go and have a fabulous time. Don’t be a doormat and accept disrespect but at the same time, loosen the apron strings.

Crushed23 · 03/01/2026 01:48

I much prefer my PILs to my parents. It’s not even close. And my parents are loving & decent. You can’t influence who your children click with more.

YABU.

TheMerryJoker · 03/01/2026 01:53

Bossie21 · 02/01/2026 22:30

AIBU to think they should share time equally?

in theory yes, but chances are hes doing it to keep the g/f happy etc

TheMerryJoker · 03/01/2026 01:54

WiltedLettuce · 03/01/2026 01:38

Women tend to organise more stuff. These imbalances usually result from that.

thats what i wondered its the lady running the show

Dancingspleen1 · 03/01/2026 02:16

AmyW9 · 03/01/2026 01:27

I feel for you OP, but YABU.

My MiL makes far too much effort, positioned as coming from a good place but all it does is make us feel pressured.

I.e. Booking holidays (which she plans the entirity of, often to wholly unsuitable places for our young DD) and just expecting us to come along, weekly invites to her house, even more frequent excuses made to come to us, non-stop gifts for our DDs etc.... It's kind on the surface but it's suffocating and feels manipulative - we are so aware she wants more time with us. The way I feel makes me feel like a terrible person, and as a result I've reduced the contact with her. Just to give a DiL's perspective here...

Reduce the effort, and you might find things shift.

This just makes you sound pretty mean. Your MIL is trying her best to connect with you and her GC, you know that but your response is to deliberately reduce time with her. I mean the holiday issue is easy to resolve - just have a chat with her about it or suggest somewhere you could go that suits everyone. Would you find it too much to see your own Mum weekly or over the top if she was seeking more time with her family?

Greenfinch7 · 03/01/2026 02:16

I have the same situation, and I find it really sad. My son just chooses the path of least resistance. His wife is anxious and uptight, and she likes to see her family and to have my son with her- he just goes along. I know he loves us and doesn't adore her family at all, but she is more pleasant and relaxed around them, and that is easier and nicer for him, so that is what they do.

AmyW9 · 03/01/2026 02:48

Dancingspleen1 · 03/01/2026 02:16

This just makes you sound pretty mean. Your MIL is trying her best to connect with you and her GC, you know that but your response is to deliberately reduce time with her. I mean the holiday issue is easy to resolve - just have a chat with her about it or suggest somewhere you could go that suits everyone. Would you find it too much to see your own Mum weekly or over the top if she was seeking more time with her family?

I work full time, have a house to run, my friends and the kids friends to see, life admin to do. I see my own parents once month at most and wider family whenever I can. So, yes, seeing my MiL weekly is utterly unreasonable.

Holiday-wise, yes, we have tried suggesting alternatives, and it's caused offense and upset and an atmosphere and ultimately fallen on deaf ears.

My whole point is that the above, and situation in the OP whereby the OP / MiL is offended, actively pushes family away.

Dancingspleen1 · 03/01/2026 02:58

AmyW9 · 03/01/2026 02:48

I work full time, have a house to run, my friends and the kids friends to see, life admin to do. I see my own parents once month at most and wider family whenever I can. So, yes, seeing my MiL weekly is utterly unreasonable.

Holiday-wise, yes, we have tried suggesting alternatives, and it's caused offense and upset and an atmosphere and ultimately fallen on deaf ears.

My whole point is that the above, and situation in the OP whereby the OP / MiL is offended, actively pushes family away.

If you have a busy life maybe a solution could be your MIL could babysit to help out? Would that work? Kids seeing they're grandmother weekly isn't utterly unreasonable. It's pretty normal in lots of families if they live close enough.

AmyW9 · 03/01/2026 03:02

Dancingspleen1 · 03/01/2026 02:58

If you have a busy life maybe a solution could be your MIL could babysit to help out? Would that work? Kids seeing they're grandmother weekly isn't utterly unreasonable. It's pretty normal in lots of families if they live close enough.

I appreciate the suggestion and view, but this just reinforces exactly what I'm saying.

The pressure from a MiL to see them can be overwhelming.

Raindropsontourists · 03/01/2026 03:04

SunMoonandChocolate · 02/01/2026 23:12

Oh dear OP, I'm afraid you're setting yourself up for a fall by thinking this way. Sad to say, it's so often the case that the male in a relationship, tends to end up seeing more of his girlfriend/wife's parent than his own. There's an old saying which goes something like, 'a daughter's a daughter all of her life, a son is a son 'til he gets him a wife'. Just be grateful for the time that they do spend with you, and if you take my advice you will put NO PRESSURE whatsoever on them to spend time with you, or point out that they spend more time with her parents, and it's not fair. You are far more likely to continue to receive visits if you keep your mouth firmly shut, and just make them really welcome every time they call in. Make sure that your son always has a key to the family home, encouraging him to pop in and help himself, if he's ever in the area and wants to use the loo, have a cuppa, whatever, and even if he only comes in for 5 minutes, tell him how lovely it was to see him, but don't ever say 'Oh you must stay longer next time', or anything along those lines, as it immediately shows that you are dissatisfied with what he is prepared to offer. Also, I hate to say it, but prepare yourself that in the future, if and when your son has children, you are far less likely to be asked to babysit, than his in-laws, as a mother will almost always favour her own mother for babysitting, advice, etc. It's sad, but I'm afraid does tend to be a fact of life when you have sons.

I don’t think it favour exactly, but I feel I can ask my mum anything, but don’t feel the same with my PIL, and as I did most of the organising, it just falls like that.

sunshinestar1986 · 03/01/2026 03:10

I feel sorry for mother in laws.
But what can you do?
No way I'd willingly go on holiday with my mother in law.

She's a good enough person but it would be polite conversation the whole time.
Even looking at the difference between my sister and sister in law's houses,
In my sister's house, I can go to the kitchen and eat if i want, go have a shower and pretty much do what I want.

At my sister in law's, I sit where I am seated and play nice.
I really do like my sister in law and because I reach out a lot she includes me in a lot but facts are she's also much closer to her sisters.
What does that look like? My kids are close with the cousins from my sisters and vice versa.
Luckily all mother in laws in our family have daughters!

I will try and be supportive and welcoming to my son's future family but I'll have to guard my heart.
My daughter already tells me she's not moving far from me as she wants to be close to me.
And tbh I want to be there for her if she has kids etc
I dare say my son's family will have the same support from their family but he will know he's welcome home any time.

Dancingspleen1 · 03/01/2026 03:14

AmyW9 · 03/01/2026 03:02

I appreciate the suggestion and view, but this just reinforces exactly what I'm saying.

The pressure from a MiL to see them can be overwhelming.

Your viewing it as pressure. She just wants to spend time with her family. Yes she may be trying too hard but at least shes trying to make an effort. My MIL was similar so we agreed on one day a week she babysat. That was her time with her GC, it worked for both of us and I was grateful for it. The bond they built was special and benefited my DC to have wider family connections. Yes she got on my nerves at times but I found she backed off a bit because that day was her time with them.

JHound · 03/01/2026 03:18

TheMerryJoker · 03/01/2026 01:53

in theory yes, but chances are hes doing it to keep the g/f happy etc

Or he simply doesn’t care as much about making time with his family.

user1473878824 · 03/01/2026 03:32

“I have always taught my children to make their own choices and be their own person. I don’t feel he is now.”

now he isn’t making the choices you want him to it’s no longer his choice. Sure.

JMSA · 03/01/2026 03:36

Sorry, but you’re being super unreasonable.
The apron strings can be shared at this point in his life!