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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I being horrible or do I need to say no?

151 replies

onemoredress · 11/08/2026 15:00

DS is 26 and autistic/adhd and lives a few streets away in a shared house, he lived with us until 2 years ago but we asked him to move out as he was straining our marriage, constant mess in the kitchen was causing arguments and he was with us 24/7 as he never went out other than to work, no gf and very few friends.

Since moving out he would turn up most nights unexpectedly and let himself in and sit with us until bedtime, this caused more arguments between me and his dad as he felt uncomfortable he would walk in any time he wanted so I kindly explained that it would be nice if he could let us know when he was coming so we were expecting him.

Now he calls on his way home from work and says would you like me to come and see you?
Of course I say yes, every time even if I would rather spend a quiet night with Dh but I don’t like to say no.

I admit I do feel it’s a bit of an intrusion to have him around so many nights a week but I don’t like to say no, Dh says I need to say no, he’s happy to say no, but if we have ever said no I feel really guilty and ds gets quite huffy so I like to keep the peace and don’t want him not to feel welcome.
We both agree it would be lovely to see him a couple of times a week for a couple of hours instead of him coming in most nights and then not leaving until we go to bed, he doesn’t understand social hints and has rejection sensitivity so if we tell him directly he gets offended.

I feel like whatever I do I will upset someone. It’s not that his dad doesn’t want to see him, he just doesn’t want him here all the time and when he comes home some nights and it’s still sunny outside so he buys some drinks for the garden and expects to chill out with just me and then ds calls and says he is on his way and he feels his evening plans go out the window because ds doesn’t drink and I don’t like to drink with him there so leave it for another time.

Is Dh right and I should say no so we can have some evenings just ourselves or is that cruel and unreasonable and he should be able to come over when ever he wants?

OP posts:
timtamsarebetterthanpenguins · 13/08/2026 13:41

vodkacran · 13/08/2026 13:34

Completely agree. He lives alone so he has some independence. I don't get what's so hard about saying 'not tonight son, we're having a chilled one. Why don't you come round twice a week on X days?'

I feel like MN can massively infantilise grown adults with autism - it's so frustrating to read. A 26 year old who can live independently and hold down a job does not need to spend every evening with his parents, even if he is autistic.

I massively struggled with independence at a similar age but I am incredibly grateful that my parents forced me out of my comfort zone.

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