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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dilemma about dates of visitor

54 replies

WordOfTheDay · 08/06/2026 20:36

I'm confused about what to do in this situation. I live in a different European country. My brother recently mentioned that he would like to come and visit me and my DP (he has been over for very short trips a couple of times with his then young sons years ago). I said that he is more than welcome, but would need to stay in a hotel and as we are not set up for guests. That's no problem. We live outside a small town with no hotel and he would be staying in a hotel that is a bit away.

My DP is retired and is organising a day with his extended family (30 people): lunch at our house on 4 July and devising a puzzle car rally (he is away now and can only resume work on this mid-month). My brother would like to come between now and the end of June (I had said June was fine to him). My DP has always been iffy about a visit in that period as he feared he/we would be tied up with the preparations, but he reluctantly agreed that my brother could come then after my brother said it would be the perfect time for him. Today, my brother has come back with dates and is suggesting 4/5 days, which is longer than I thought it be would.

I am now a concerned about the length, and my partner is concerned as he might not be free and he doesn't want the pressure hanging over him. I feel awful about asking my brother to reschedule until after the rally, having led him up until now to believe that we were enthusiastic about this period (he is off work from 19 June to the end of the month). Having discussed with my DP, he strongly wants me to tell my brother it doesn't suit after all. I feel it's very difficult to do that having encouraged him up until now. I think my brother will probably have more work pressure over the summer, although I also know he gets a few days off fortnightly or something (he's a pilot).

My DP is now annoyed that I am so resistant to simply explaining it doesn't suit, but up until my brother suggested his dates today, we had accepted in our minds that he was coming over in this period (but had mistakely assumed for only 2/3 days). I don't know what to do: basically tell my brother not to come until after the rally (very unpleasant of me after all that has been said) or talk to him and possibly accept he comes before the rally (if it is much preferable for him due to his work commitments), but thereby not prioritise my DP's reasable wish to set other dates and put him under pressure he never wanted in the first place. In the couse of discussions today, my DP's position has hardened.

I only have a slightly distant relationship with my brother, so I am not at ease

Help!

OP posts:
cauliflowercheeseplease · 10/06/2026 23:07

Sounds like you prefer your DPs family over your own too in a way. Making plans for a big family get together for your in laws but can’t host your brother ?!

JustanotherManikMumday · 10/06/2026 23:50

Why is your partners plans with his family more important than yours? To me it sounds like your being isolated or the beginning of it at least.

FragrantPalms · 11/06/2026 00:06

Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill.

VenusClapTrap · 11/06/2026 20:33

WordOfTheDay · 10/06/2026 21:57

The puzzle rally involves splitting everybody into (multi-generational) teams, each team in a car. They don't know where they are going. Each team receives a set of directions and a list of questions to answer/puzzles to solve. I guess they depart on a staggered timetable or there are different starting points.

Using the directions, the navigate to specific places of interest. They then have to find the answers to questions there/complete some puzzle based on info there/apply a bit of general knowledge. They then navigate on. The team that completes the route quickest and with the most correct answers wins. So, there is a marking system and maybe points are docked for certain things.

The idea is it is a fun activity and the two/three-generations (an 80 year old, his brother's 50 year-old daughter, and his other brother's 18 year-old grandson for instance) in the car get to know each other better and have fun working together.

Also ideally, much animated discussion on where and why people went wrong, how unclear the instructions were etc. afterwards at an early dinner at the restaurant at the end of the route.

This sounds fun! Can I come?

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