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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

How should we handle our 17-year-old son's 19 YO girlfriend staying every weekend and never leaving his room!!!

212 replies

ThatTidyFawn · 24/05/2026 20:13

Hi I have never posted before but really need some help and advice. My son is 17 and has his first girlfriend, she is 19, lives about 15 mins away from us went to a diff sixth form but they met on Snapchat. She comes on a Friday evening (we pick her up she doesn’t drive) and then usually leaves on a Monday morning. After she arrives on a Friday she never leaves my son’s room (apart from to go to the bathroom which she seems to try to ensure she does when no one is around). Initially my son said she was very shy and I understood but asked him to encourage her to come down, join in a bit etc. We would only be nice to her etc. It’s got worse if anything. My son comes down makes a ton of food for them both takes it back up. She never leaves the room and they basically spend all weekend in his room. It’s like we have a secret lodger! This has now been going on for a few months and just feel it’s a bizarre situation and that she needs to integrate a little bit with us if she wants to spend time here. My son takes my straighteners for her to use without asking and one day I needed them in the morning and knocked on his door and asked him to bring them out. He called just to come in which I did and they were both still in bed and she pulled the covers up over her head it was so awkward. They constantly order takeaways late at night and leave tons of food and packaging all over the room. We are constantly saying to bring things down after eating. My son sends me lists of things he’d like when I go to the shop and I know 80% of them are for her as most of it is stuff he doesn’t like eg smoked salmon, olives etc. I want to put my foot down and say it’s not continuing like this but my husband isn’t supportive of me taking a hard line approach and says does it really matter if they stay in his room. Although he agrees it’s not ideal, he hates confrontation and my son gets angry at us really easily so my husband doesn’t want to cause a row. I am also worried about my son’s A Levels as he wants to go to uni but since seeing her is hardly doing any work and his work is suffering. He goes to see her on a Monday and Tuesday evening (not overnight just for a few hours) and so there are only 2 evenings a week he’s not with her. It is so tricky to navigate and appreciate we have let it get to this but I kept hoping things would change. What do you think I should do? I am thinking of asking my sister to come over and mediate us talking to him as I don’t think he’d kick off in the same way if she is there.

OP posts:
2chocolateoranges · 24/05/2026 20:17

Why are you picking her up every Friday, not a chance I’d be doing that.

she sounds very immature. My DDs boyfriend occasionally stay and integrates into the family, is friendly and polite, I wouldn’t tolerate him staying if he was like your sons girlfriend. She sounds rude.

she doesn’t live with you or pay towards her keep when staying with you and so I wouldn’t be buying food to suit her,if she wants that food, then she stays in her own home. Your ds is being unreasonable too.

AbzMoz · 24/05/2026 20:21

A levels are a perfect opportunity for change
yea she can come over for family dinner on Friday, eating with everyone or at least having a cup of tea or whatever. she can spend Saturday doing whatever, but leaves Saturday night. Sunday is for revision / rest etc.

As you’re giving the lifts, that’s the deal.
I think it’s a nice gesture to add a few bits for her but it’s just beyond rude for her to have her own personal room service!

Ponderingwindow · 24/05/2026 20:22

My 17yo is free to have overnights once she is in student housing. I’m not trying to prevent sex. She can easily have sex without overnights. I simply won’t endorse that level of intimacy and seriousness in a relationship at this age. Without any real life responsibility, it’s too much of a fairytale bubble. They have someone paying all the bills and delivering groceries. There is no reality and no strife.

ThatTidyFawn · 24/05/2026 20:22

2chocolateoranges · 24/05/2026 20:17

Why are you picking her up every Friday, not a chance I’d be doing that.

she sounds very immature. My DDs boyfriend occasionally stay and integrates into the family, is friendly and polite, I wouldn’t tolerate him staying if he was like your sons girlfriend. She sounds rude.

she doesn’t live with you or pay towards her keep when staying with you and so I wouldn’t be buying food to suit her,if she wants that food, then she stays in her own home. Your ds is being unreasonable too.

It started as he asked us if we would and my husband said ok and now it’s every week. I wouldn’t mind if she was integrating with us but she just stays in his room and avoids us completely. I think she has had a tough upbringing without going into details she’s not really had parents to care and look after her so think we felt sorry for her but I do think it’s just bordering on being rude.

OP posts:
ThejoyofNC · 24/05/2026 20:22

I'd put my foot down. She's a 19 year old woman disrespecting you in your own home. And putting in requests for smoked salmon?!! Stop allowing this nonsense. I'd ban eating in the pit room first, for a start.

ThatTidyFawn · 24/05/2026 20:24

Ponderingwindow · 24/05/2026 20:22

My 17yo is free to have overnights once she is in student housing. I’m not trying to prevent sex. She can easily have sex without overnights. I simply won’t endorse that level of intimacy and seriousness in a relationship at this age. Without any real life responsibility, it’s too much of a fairytale bubble. They have someone paying all the bills and delivering groceries. There is no reality and no strife.

Yes I would naturally have been the same my parents would never have allowed me to have a boyfriend stay in my room at that age but my husband had a serious girlfriend when he was 15-18 and they regularly stayed over each others houses so he doesn’t see it as a problem.

OP posts:
ThatTidyFawn · 24/05/2026 20:27

ThejoyofNC · 24/05/2026 20:22

I'd put my foot down. She's a 19 year old woman disrespecting you in your own home. And putting in requests for smoked salmon?!! Stop allowing this nonsense. I'd ban eating in the pit room first, for a start.

The pit 🤣 Ok I wanted to check I’m not going mad for feeling like this. It seems like everyone agrees we are being pushovers so I am going to speak to my husband. It’s tricky as I need him on side with me to sort this out and he just wants an easy life as his work is very stressful he doesn’t want arguments at home etc. thank you

OP posts:
FidoO5 · 24/05/2026 20:28

I have been through similar the answer I get is they are here to see me.
Tell him to alternate weekends between houses after his A levels

Bitofashock · 24/05/2026 20:29

If you’re picking her up and dropping her off, do you not get to chat to her then? Or does she get in the car under a blanket?

Tiggy321 · 24/05/2026 20:29

My daughter had a (horrible) boyfriend a couple of years ago and he rarely left her room. It drove me mad and I told them so. It was a really difficult time with my daughter and I - he was as it turned out, controlling her and she was utterly blind to it. Please speak to them both and try to make sure she only stays 1 night at a time.

ThatTidyFawn · 24/05/2026 20:31

Bitofashock · 24/05/2026 20:29

If you’re picking her up and dropping her off, do you not get to chat to her then? Or does she get in the car under a blanket?

My hubby usually does it and she sits in the back and doesn’t speak

OP posts:
Neveranynamesleft · 24/05/2026 20:34

I wish I could go somewhere for the weekend and get it all for free. You are enabling this situation OP, time for a family chat whether they like it or not. It's your house, your money and your rules.

Ophir · 24/05/2026 20:35

I think it’s quite a good idea to get your sister to mediate. It sounds like a really difficult situation and your husband sounds useless in this

Think I’d definitely be stopping buying special food for them as a start

Doseofreality · 24/05/2026 20:35

“We’ve been kind and patient but this is becoming beyond awkward now and I don’t want to feel awkward in my own home. If your girlfriend wants to continue being a guest in our home every weekend, we would like to get to know her a bit better.”

Turnitoffnonagain · 24/05/2026 20:36

You are facilitating this weird arrangement.
I can't believe you are taking their orders for special food, and then they are taking it to his room as if you are running a hotel.
Are you doing their laundry and changing the bedding like a chambermaid? Give your head a wobble.

Summerhillsquare · 24/05/2026 20:36

This is a husband problem. Until you're on the same page they're going to run rings round you, sounds like your son has form for that. Your husband is doing him no favours at all, he's in for a shock if he ever leaves home. Which I assume he isn't planning to do.

Dillydollydingdong · 24/05/2026 20:37

You're allowing yourself to become a doormat, OP. It's your house. Start setting some rules. Olives and smoked salmon? Really? Does she get that at home? Stop picking her up and stop buying her luxury food. She can eat beans on toast like everyone else.

mumuseli · 24/05/2026 20:37

Not that you need an excuse to justify yourself, but if you feel awkward changing the routine that you’re currently in then state that it’s getting nearer to your son’s exams now
so he’s got to have more time set aside for studying.

Blondeshavemorefun · 24/05/2026 20:39

Stop

picking up form station
buying costly food
eating in bedroom.

does she work ?

AOBMGB · 24/05/2026 20:42

This sounds really awkward for you OP, I would definitely be having a word with your husband as he needs to be backing you up so you can present a united front.
It sounds like you’ve been really nice giving her lifts so I’d just say at least one night if the weekend she’s staying you’d like a family meal all together round the table which is very reasonable.

Soontobe60 · 24/05/2026 20:42

ThatTidyFawn · 24/05/2026 20:31

My hubby usually does it and she sits in the back and doesn’t speak

He sounds like a bloody pimp - collecting someone for his precious son to have sex with all weekend!
The pair of you need to get a grip. No more picking her up, no more ‘special’ food deliveries, no more being ignored. No more borrowing your things either.

ThatTidyFawn · 24/05/2026 20:43

Blondeshavemorefun · 24/05/2026 20:39

Stop

picking up form station
buying costly food
eating in bedroom.

does she work ?

She does work at an after school club / also holiday clubs in school hols. I think she’ll pays for them to have takeaways as my son doesn’t work.

OP posts:
ThatTidyFawn · 24/05/2026 20:44

Soontobe60 · 24/05/2026 20:42

He sounds like a bloody pimp - collecting someone for his precious son to have sex with all weekend!
The pair of you need to get a grip. No more picking her up, no more ‘special’ food deliveries, no more being ignored. No more borrowing your things either.

To be clear my son sits in the front and chats to his dad it’s not just my husband and her in the car or that would be very weird!

OP posts:
TinyMouseTheatre · 24/05/2026 20:46

I think I would try and persuade DH that it’s your DS’ grades that you’re worried about and you don’t have a problem with her staying over sometimes but you need to instil some ground rules.

So she can stay one or two nights. They eat with you and there are no takeaway deliveries after 9.

Therescathairinmybath · 24/05/2026 20:47

I can’t believe what I’m reading! You are the parents and it’s up to you to set the rules in your home. Why is your husband so scared of having an argument or confrontation?

Tell your son that you want at least some weekends without the girlfriend. She’s rude, demanding, disrespectful and clingy, no matter what her upbringing was like. I can’t understand why you are encouraging such a disfunctional relationship to continue for your son when he’s so young. He should be out with his friends rather than being stuck in a bedroom every weekend. Your husband needs to think more about what is in your son’s best interests.