I suggested a caravan share with parents - now regret it

[purple15]

My parents had a motorhome and they wanted to sell to free up some money so they can have more abroad holidays. So, I suggested they could share ours. We are due to go on our main summer holidays next week and that will be our third trip out. My parents have a large garage we could use and rather than them spend 10 k on a used caravan, I suggested just sharing ours. I really persuaded my mum. Yesterday the Motor home went, so she said when I get back from our main holiday they would have it for two weeks.
Can I take out our clothes and bedding.

This caravan we have had for three years, we had a different van for five years. All the cupboards with eight years of caravanning, all my personal stuff. I have made a huge mistake. It feels like invading my space. What can i do ? It was my mistake, me suggesting it in the first place.

Don't you trust them with your stuff? Do you think they'll wreck it? Of course they don't want to use your clothing and bedding, but everything else will be OK, won't it?

I would let them use it for these two weeks after you've had your holiday and take it from there. They might not like your caravan, either, as it's not their choice.

Are you letting them borrow it whenever they like for free or are they chipping-in in some way? We borrow our in-law's caravan and they leave there stuff in it. We're so grateful we're getting a free holiday that we really don't mind. If however they financially own half the van, then I can see their point. However, it's totally unreasonable to expect you to totally clear it out - so long as there's room for them to store their belongings.

Good luck!

Hi the financial situation is a tricky one, three years ago they had a static they sold, and part of the deal was the caravan that they gave me. I did say say I would give them some money for it, and did try but they would not take it.
so, the caravan is proably worth about 4k. So now the motorhome has gone, my mum said she will buy a second hand caravan and I suggested we share it. I feel it is only right. After having my own personal van for 8 years, i do feel its treading on my toes, even though I suggested it in the first place.

I think this is awkward and you were right to offer it. If they however paid for the caravan, and they store it, it does sound like they already have investment in it anyway . I don't think you really have a leg to stand on if they gave you the caravan for free. If you can't face sharing, then thank them for letting you have the caravan for the last however many years and give it back to them, and then buy your own?

They do not store it yet, but with their motorhome now sold, they have the space, so that would be the sensible thing to use their garage. At the moment we pay £220 a year to a farmer. Ive just used it for all those years, as just mine and now it will be theirs as well.
I feel torn, I suggested it, now I regret it. I dont want to share.

Im really not sure why you're so hung up on sharing with your parents? Surely, if they have given it to you, which seems very generous anyway, then the least you can do is let them use it. Right from the off, you suggested it, and maybe a big part of them getting rid of the motorhome was based on your offer? Seems a bit unfair to me. But, I think that now they have sold the MH and are going to share the caravan, then try and have some do's and don'ts. For example, you would really like to have first refusal on school holiday dates, also, that you both agree to replacing anything that gets broken, or lost etc. Take turns in paying for a service for the caravan. And I would have 2 lots of bedding so that the last family to use it can either strip the beds and replace with clean bedding, or agree to use your own sleeping bags and pillows. Talk now about things like, tins, wine (very important) toiletries, washing up stuff, it seems petty, but its the sort of thing that will really naff both parties off if its been used and not replaced. I mean imagine travelling to your campsite, pitching up only to find someones pinched the wine from the cupboard!!!

I'm afraid I agree with bluebell...perhaps you should offer to give it back to them for their sole use. Why not try a season of sharing first though and then decide your next move?

Thanks to everyone who replied. I was thinking of getting a loan of 4k and insisting they take it so they could put that towards their own caravan, although they would not take a penny three years ago. I might just let them take it for two weeks and see how it works.
I think I was just taken aback by how she asked me to remove my clothes and bedding.

how were you anticipating sharing a caravan with her if you didn't expect her to want to pack her own stuff? i don't really understand this problem. they've got all their stuff from their own motorhome to put in there, how will they get it in without removing yours?

Miffmuff,why didnt sharing work?

i think you're being really odd about this - it's your parents you're talking about... would you not have them in your house when you're not there? i don't see how they're 'in your space' really tbh... well i mean they are, but only when you're not there.
unless you don't think they'll respect your belongings and kitchen stuff etc?
we house swapped with my cousins through my childhood and many people house swap with strangers even.

im over it now, think it might have been homornal. my daughter won tickets to olympics and we are all going together in the caravan. happy days x

lol, you are funny. great news about the olympics.