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Lady Doesn’t Want Daughter’s Partner Of 6 Years On Family Trip, Folks Slam Her With Reality Check
Tired woman in pajamas holding tissue to forehead, reflecting stress from family trip and boyfriend family conflict.

Lady Doesn’t Want Daughter’s Partner Of 6 Years On Family Trip, Folks Slam Her With Reality Check

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Going on a trip with your parents and siblings is honestly the best if you are on good terms with them. However, isn’t it obvious that if you are in a serious relationship, your partner also becomes part of the family?

Well, some parents have difficulty digesting this, as they still cling to the “us and our kids” idea forever, just like the original poster (OP). She’s upset her daughter wants to bring her long-term partner on their vacation, as she wants it to be an exclusive “family-only” holiday. Let’s see how things turned sour after her daughter disapproved!

More info: Mumsnet

RELATED:

    Vacationing with parents and siblings is fun, but you also want your partner along if you consider them “family”

    Hands marking a world map during family trip planning, with travel tickets, camera, and passport nearby.

    Image credits: Vlada Karpovich / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    A woman vented online that she has planned a family vacation with her adult children, but the younger daughter wants to bring along her partner

    Text excerpt discussing a family trip plan and tension after mom excludes boyfriends as family, causing daughter to refuse to go.

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    Text discussing a family trip conflict where a mom says boyfriends don’t count as family, causing a 25-year-old daughter to refuse.

    Text showing a mother explaining to her daughter why boyfriends don’t count as family during a family trip disagreement.

    Text excerpt about a long-distance relationship causing a family trip conflict over boyfriends not counted as family.

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    Image credits: OneLilacPanda

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    Older woman in sunglasses and leather jacket looking at her phone, reflecting family trip conflict about boyfriends not counting.

    Image credits: Anna Shvets / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    The poster got annoyed by this as she wanted it to be a “family-only” holiday, and she told her daughter so

    Text message about a family trip dispute where daughter refuses to join because boyfriends don't count as family.

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    Text update about family trip conflict where mom says boyfriends don’t count as family, causing daughter to refuse participation.

    Text on a plain white background stating a family conflict about boyfriends not counting as family, causing a 25-year-old daughter to refuse a trip.

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    Text on a white background reading it’s been helpful to think about these comments I’ll think about how to talk to her about the holiday and apologise

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    Young woman in gray sweater upset during family trip video call about boyfriends not counting as family conflict.

    Image credits: Alex Green / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    However, this upset the daughter as she now refuses to even come on the trip as her mom doesn’t consider her long-term partner family

    Text discussing a mother-daughter trip and family dynamics including siblings, husband, and bonding time plans.

    Text saying a mom assumed daughter would go on family trip without her boyfriend but daughter refuses, causing family tension.

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    Text quote about realizing being unreasonable, related to family trip conflict over boyfriends not counting as family.

    Text discussing regret and hope for mending family relationships after a divide over boyfriends not counting as family.

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    After taking netizens’ advice, the poster realized that she is being very unreasonable and plans to apologize to her daughter

    Today, we dive into a conflict that arose between this mother-daughter duo over a vacation. The poster is the mom who tells us that their family has not gone on a trip for quite some time, so she has planned one, along with her husband, son, and 2 daughters. The problem started when the younger daughter, who is 25 years old, said that she is going to bring her partner along.

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    This really upset the poster, and she even told her daughter that it’s a “family-only” holiday. The thing is, the daughter is living with her partner and they have been together since she was 19, so 6 years. She didn’t like that her mom doesn’t consider him family, considering their long-term relationship, so she is refusing to even come for the trip.

    OP says that the daughter and her partner already live 7 hours away, so they don’t really see much of the couple. She also feels that the 25-year-old should not need to do everything with him, and should come with them on the trip, so she vented online. However, people reminded her that she’s being unreasonable and going overboard with her demands.

    According to Psychology Today, boundaries are the foundation for mutual respect, and they permit each of us to maintain our own space and autonomy while sustaining a close emotional connection. Psychotherapist and relationship expert Terri Cole also says that when parents violate boundaries, it’s a clear sign of disordered family systems.

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    Woman feeling stressed and upset at home during a family trip conflict about boyfriends not counting as family

    Image credits: Kaboompics.com / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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    Just like netizens pointed out, the mom is overstepping by asking her daughter not to bring her partner along when her own husband is also coming. They explained that she needs to back off a little and think things from the 25-year-old’s perspective. Further, people also commented that even they would say no if their parents had such unreasonable expectations from them.

    Gail Roeshman, a specialist in family dynamics, suggests that it’s important to identify the unrealistic expectations that people can have from their family in order to have a healthy relationship. Now, if all the research is clearly pointing out that parents have to keep their expectations real and not violate boundaries set by adult children, it must be true.

    Upon looking at all the suggestions that the woman received from netizens, she thankfully realized her mistake. OP tried to justify her actions owing to the fact that her other children don’t mind going on the trip without their partners. However, she informed folks that she is glad for the slap of reality and plans to repair the damage that she has caused. 

    The poster even liked the idea suggested by the netizens about a mother-daughter trip and is looking forward to trying that out, too. Well, we hope that she is able to reconcile with her daughter and consider her partner “family”. That’s it from our end, folks. Do you agree with the verdict given by people online? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

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    People claimed that she is asking too much from her daughter, and they might even get upset if their parents asked this of them

    Comment discussing challenges of planning a family trip when boyfriends are not considered family members.

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    Comment on a family trip dispute where mom says boyfriends don’t count as family, causing daughter to refuse to join.

    Comment expressing frustration over exclusion of boyfriends from family trip plans causing conflict with adult daughter

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    Text post about family trip disagreement where a mom says boyfriends don’t count as family and daughter refuses to go.

    User comment discussing a 25-year-old woman refusing a family trip due to her boyfriend not being counted as family.

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    User comment about feeling upset when a long-term partner is not considered family during a family trip dispute.

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    Screenshot of an online comment about a family trip dispute involving a 25-year-old daughter and her mother.

    Comment by user RechargeableGnu suggesting partner's company during a family trip conflict about boyfriends and family.

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    Rutuja Dumbre

    Rutuja Dumbre

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hey, am Rutuja! A storyteller at heart and a writer at Bored Panda. I have a strange love for words, and I mostly survive on coffee which is the driving force behind my writing. I enjoy working on articles that purely entertain our readers. When am not writing or trekking, you can find me staying up late and watching all the matches of Football Club Barcelona!

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    Rutuja Dumbre

    Rutuja Dumbre

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Hey, am Rutuja! A storyteller at heart and a writer at Bored Panda. I have a strange love for words, and I mostly survive on coffee which is the driving force behind my writing. I enjoy working on articles that purely entertain our readers. When am not writing or trekking, you can find me staying up late and watching all the matches of Football Club Barcelona!

    What do you think ?
    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "We don't see much of them." Amazing. "We grew apart when they started living together." What changed? Did your daughter suddenly resent you being her mother, or was it you who began resenting something?

    Ellinor
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd say that the fact that the mother doesn't see her daughter's boyfriends of 6 YEARS as family may have something to do with it.

    Load More Replies...
    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "the other kids are okay not bringing their partners, I assumed she would be too." Congratulations on finally discovering that different human beings have the capacity for thinking different things!

    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the other partners aren't invited and it's just for the nuclear family, that's fine. But also fine if she doesn't want to come. My siblings and I used to have just the siblings outings until my brother got married and his wife won't allow him to go without her. The other partners don't mind, sometimes you just want to see your siblings. But SIL insists on coming so we just don't do them anymore. Her presence ruined the point of the outings. It's important to have time with partners but it's also important to have time without them, so I absolutely agree with OP that it's a shame her daughter doesn't want to do that. If there's no reason why she doesn't want to spend the time with her family, look out for a controlling partner. That's my brother's issue, but if it isn't, it's the family. And either way you can force it.

    Dori
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The update speaks volumes about this woman's relationship with her daughter. It really does sound like the daughter moved, maybe for education or work, met her OH (other half), and stayed. The woman and daughter grew apart because of distance. The woman now wants to try and repair the relationship and is willing to let the OH come along. It doesn't sound like a narcissistic mother-daughter relationship where daughter has moved to escape. I hope they can work things out and have a nice vacation together.

    bElLa sTairZz
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    if the mother is paying i think its within her right to not want to have to pay for her childrens partners awsell, however if the daughter and boyfriend are paying for themselves then i dont see why he shouldnt come too

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well that isn’t on the post so I’d rather not assume

    Load More Replies...
    Emilu
    Community Member
    Premium
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP needs to make an effort to see her daughter for mother/daughter bonding, maybe for a spa day or whatever suits their interests. If the daughter shows no interest in that, it makes it seem that the daughter is actively avoiding OP for whatever reason and OP will need to work on that. If the daughter’s open to this, then go from there (personally, would still invite the husband but stress “hey, do your own thing but we do also want to see you for dinner/whatever!”).

    Anna Drever
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My adult children’s partners are family. End of story.

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exactly this !! I refuse to be that mother in law from hell , lol

    Load More Replies...
    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    STOP BEING THAT BLOODY MOTHER IN LAW !! My 24 yr old daughter has been with her bf for 4 yrs , he practically lives with us , n I consider him FAMILY !! you lady are one entitled mother from hell !! my son 21 has a gf , 2 yrs almost he stays at hers a bit n she’s as part of our family now as son in law as I call him is ! you need to GROVEL ! A LOT , no way in hell would I a 60 yr old mother even dream of asking my kids to come alone wtf are you thinking , I’m glad to red the update ,where u wised up , cos trust me it’s. It worth losing your kids over !! be a lovely mother in law not the monster in law from hell !

    tameson
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She should use her vacation time and money to go on a trip without her partner? That most likely means she won't be able to have a vacation with him for another year. Mom needs to accept reality.

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exactly !! mum needs to wise up lol from a mother with kids grown up n long term partners, I consider part of MY FAMILY ,x

    Load More Replies...
    JayWantsACat
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I dont think OP is being unreasonable though. Cousins and aunts and uncles are family. Does that mean they need to be allowed to come to a "family vacation" as well? If no other partners are coming and they just want to be the actual family on vacation, why is that a bad thing? Which sounds like the situation. At the same time, if the daughter doesn't can't or won't to go without her partner, she's allowed to make that decision, as well. Just because they've been together for 6 years doesn't mean the b/f has to be invited to literally everything. Especially a weeks long vacation. I was with my ex for years and there always things that she did with just her family and it didn't bother me because we weren't co-dependent and understand somethings are just for the family. Grow up.

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    SHES TALKING ABOUT HER BLOODY DAUGHTER NOT THE WORLD N ITS FREAKING MOTHER 🤦‍♀️

    Load More Replies...
    Yu Pan
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Then it must be just my family... When we do family trips, it really just the family, the ones related by blood. My in laws are never part of it.

    arthbach
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yu Pan. you have my sympathy for being related to people who have such a confined and restricted understanding of what 'family' actually means. Hopefully the next generation will be able to sort it out.

    Load More Replies...
    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "We don't see much of them." Amazing. "We grew apart when they started living together." What changed? Did your daughter suddenly resent you being her mother, or was it you who began resenting something?

    Ellinor
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd say that the fact that the mother doesn't see her daughter's boyfriends of 6 YEARS as family may have something to do with it.

    Load More Replies...
    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "the other kids are okay not bringing their partners, I assumed she would be too." Congratulations on finally discovering that different human beings have the capacity for thinking different things!

    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the other partners aren't invited and it's just for the nuclear family, that's fine. But also fine if she doesn't want to come. My siblings and I used to have just the siblings outings until my brother got married and his wife won't allow him to go without her. The other partners don't mind, sometimes you just want to see your siblings. But SIL insists on coming so we just don't do them anymore. Her presence ruined the point of the outings. It's important to have time with partners but it's also important to have time without them, so I absolutely agree with OP that it's a shame her daughter doesn't want to do that. If there's no reason why she doesn't want to spend the time with her family, look out for a controlling partner. That's my brother's issue, but if it isn't, it's the family. And either way you can force it.

    Dori
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The update speaks volumes about this woman's relationship with her daughter. It really does sound like the daughter moved, maybe for education or work, met her OH (other half), and stayed. The woman and daughter grew apart because of distance. The woman now wants to try and repair the relationship and is willing to let the OH come along. It doesn't sound like a narcissistic mother-daughter relationship where daughter has moved to escape. I hope they can work things out and have a nice vacation together.

    bElLa sTairZz
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    if the mother is paying i think its within her right to not want to have to pay for her childrens partners awsell, however if the daughter and boyfriend are paying for themselves then i dont see why he shouldnt come too

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well that isn’t on the post so I’d rather not assume

    Load More Replies...
    Emilu
    Community Member
    Premium
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP needs to make an effort to see her daughter for mother/daughter bonding, maybe for a spa day or whatever suits their interests. If the daughter shows no interest in that, it makes it seem that the daughter is actively avoiding OP for whatever reason and OP will need to work on that. If the daughter’s open to this, then go from there (personally, would still invite the husband but stress “hey, do your own thing but we do also want to see you for dinner/whatever!”).

    Anna Drever
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My adult children’s partners are family. End of story.

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exactly this !! I refuse to be that mother in law from hell , lol

    Load More Replies...
    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    STOP BEING THAT BLOODY MOTHER IN LAW !! My 24 yr old daughter has been with her bf for 4 yrs , he practically lives with us , n I consider him FAMILY !! you lady are one entitled mother from hell !! my son 21 has a gf , 2 yrs almost he stays at hers a bit n she’s as part of our family now as son in law as I call him is ! you need to GROVEL ! A LOT , no way in hell would I a 60 yr old mother even dream of asking my kids to come alone wtf are you thinking , I’m glad to red the update ,where u wised up , cos trust me it’s. It worth losing your kids over !! be a lovely mother in law not the monster in law from hell !

    tameson
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She should use her vacation time and money to go on a trip without her partner? That most likely means she won't be able to have a vacation with him for another year. Mom needs to accept reality.

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exactly !! mum needs to wise up lol from a mother with kids grown up n long term partners, I consider part of MY FAMILY ,x

    Load More Replies...
    JayWantsACat
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I dont think OP is being unreasonable though. Cousins and aunts and uncles are family. Does that mean they need to be allowed to come to a "family vacation" as well? If no other partners are coming and they just want to be the actual family on vacation, why is that a bad thing? Which sounds like the situation. At the same time, if the daughter doesn't can't or won't to go without her partner, she's allowed to make that decision, as well. Just because they've been together for 6 years doesn't mean the b/f has to be invited to literally everything. Especially a weeks long vacation. I was with my ex for years and there always things that she did with just her family and it didn't bother me because we weren't co-dependent and understand somethings are just for the family. Grow up.

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    SHES TALKING ABOUT HER BLOODY DAUGHTER NOT THE WORLD N ITS FREAKING MOTHER 🤦‍♀️

    Load More Replies...
    Yu Pan
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Then it must be just my family... When we do family trips, it really just the family, the ones related by blood. My in laws are never part of it.

    arthbach
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yu Pan. you have my sympathy for being related to people who have such a confined and restricted understanding of what 'family' actually means. Hopefully the next generation will be able to sort it out.

    Load More Replies...
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