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Original poster

Am I wrong to ask my son for board still?

78 replies

OneSnugLimePombear · 09/07/2026 08:37

My 28 year old son, who has always lived at home) met this girl about three months ago. He then started staying over at her house house every night. But coming home from work for a bath and a change of clothes. I do all his washing. The thing is he had always paid me £200 board and as soon as he started staying at her house he stopped giving it to me. I did suggest he just give me half for now but he won’t. Am I wrong asking for it? I only have my state pension.

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 09/07/2026 08:39

Well it looks like he's moved in with her so get him to do his own washing at her place? Or charge him per load like a launderette

ImPamDoove · 09/07/2026 08:39

I wouldn’t charge him for washing his clothes, no.

onmylastnerveseriously · 09/07/2026 08:41

My 15 year old does her own laundry, what on earth is stopping your son?

Hadalifeonce · 09/07/2026 08:42

If he doesn't contribute, you don't do his washing. If he wants a bath, suggest a price per bath, if he wants to do his washing while he is there, charge him per load, which includes powder/liquid, electricity and, wear and tear on your machine.

Macaroni46 · 09/07/2026 08:42

why are you washing his clothes? Let him do his own washing. And yes, he should still be paying you something as he’s presumably got stuff at your house and is using water and electricity. Half seems fair.

Sprogonthetyne · 09/07/2026 08:42

Less the £50/week is getting him a full laundry service, storage for all his belongings and hot water for baths (plus anything else, like food he eat while at yours or tidying you do for him). It's still a bargain, and much cheaper and easier then him moving out fully, which is why he hasn't done that.

WildClover · 09/07/2026 08:48

Sorry but he is taking the piss. He needs to decide where he is living and live there. If its your house he pays board which is very cheap. Also why are you doing his washing?

Mariettta · 09/07/2026 08:50

Please don't do his washing.

Hoistupthemainsail · 09/07/2026 08:50

Suggest you need to let him room for board and lodgings and so he needs to move his stuff out.

susiedaisy1912 · 09/07/2026 08:51

He can’t dilly dally between houses. He’s either living with her or you. Stop doing his washing. But as far as only having your state pension to live off of you knew this day would come. Can you take a lodger?

ThirdStorm · 09/07/2026 08:51

If he still expects to have a room and wash himself and his clothes at your house then he pays board. If he moves out properly then he doesn't. I'm sorry but he's being cheeky.

2chocolateoranges · 09/07/2026 08:52

I wouldn’t be doing a grown man’s washing, if he has moved out then so has his washing, he can do it at his girlfriends house.

Runsaway · 09/07/2026 08:52

Can you get a lodger?

TheSmallAssassin · 09/07/2026 08:55

ImPamDoove · 09/07/2026 08:39

I wouldn’t charge him for washing his clothes, no.

I would! Washing a 28 year old's clothes for them is ridiculous and it has costs - water, electricity, washing powder as well as time!

He probably has more money coming in than his mum, too. What a cheek!

redskyAtNigh · 09/07/2026 09:04

He moves out or he doesn't move out. If he doesn't move out, then half board is extremely generous (I'd be asking for all of it).

But either way, I'd suggest that you stop doing his washing.

Dollymylove · 09/07/2026 09:13

Hes not paying so he needs to stop using your home as a free laundry/bath house.
Is he on the electoral role at yours? If so delete him and tell him to register at his GFs address

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 09/07/2026 09:14

Stop doing his laundry, simple. He stays there, he can shower there too.

C8H10N4O2 · 09/07/2026 09:14

Either he’s living with you and pays his way or he moves out with all his stuff. Why is a 28 year old not doing his own washing? Was he pulling his weight in other household tasks?

£50 per week wasn’t coming close to covering his board and lodging as an adult man so you have been subsidising this ungrateful son for years. He knows you are on a small income, he is using you.

thismummydrinksgin · 09/07/2026 09:15

He should be doing his own washing, but I’d allow him a bath 😂 .

Hermiaxx · 09/07/2026 09:16

Stop doing his washing and tell him to clear his (former) bedroom ASAP!

loveavoucher · 09/07/2026 09:17

@OneSnugLimePombear just stop doing his laundry. If asked, say you can’t afford the detergent and electricity bill anymore so had to cut-back to your clothes only.

Crumpetring · 09/07/2026 09:18

He needs to decide if he’s moving out with his showers, stuff and washing or if he’s staying put. If he stays even if he’s not sleeping I think he still needs to contribute. It’s his address. He couldn’t do this with a private landlord.

Crumpetring · 09/07/2026 09:18

You really aren’t doing him or his future partner any favours by doing all his washing

caringcarer · 09/07/2026 09:19

I have brought my DC up to be able to use a washing machine. Your DS is 28 and you do his laundry! It is ridiculous he needs to learn to function as an adult. You are babying him. He either moves out including all his stuff in which case he pays no board or he pays for use of room whether he is sleeping there or not. Tell him to decide because if he's not going to live there and pay board you would like to rent his room out.

Missey85 · 09/07/2026 09:21

If his old enough to move in with his girlfriend his definitely old enough to do his own washing 😂