Anonymous wrote:20:17 and I want to add that I do think you need to stop paying for a bunch of extra fun travel. Give her a set amount of money for expenses (how much depends on whether her housing/meals/medical care are covered already) and if she wants to travel home you will pay for it but any other trips she can save up for, or get a job to pay for.
Anonymous wrote:Why are you paying for her trips to hang out with her boyfriend? That part is mysterious to me. I think I need to know what the sarcastic comment you said to her was. She may be feeling pretty stressed at this point in this semester, and just like when they were toddlers, we parents are always the safe space For venting negative feelings. And the moment I would have said she hurt my feelings, but I appreciated that she was spending this time with me. I would tell her that it means a lot to me, more than she can now unless one day she becomes a parent herself.
She is probably in that stage of a relationship where it’s intolerable to be apart, and if they are having sex, then that’s an added reason why time with her boyfriend is so compelling. I’m sure it’s painful that she is pulling away and making her own life, but this is what we are all supposed to want for our kids, right? It does sound like you spoil her, and I’m not sure I would pay for her flights to other places. Or I would make them presents.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Did she want you to come visit or did you want to visit? The last thing I would have wanted at that age was to have my parents come to my school to spend a weekend. And now I love to have my mom come visit and want her to meet the people in my town who matter to me. I kind of wonder if the real problem is that she was biting her tongue about you visiting at all and then this was a straw that broke the camel’s back.
If that rings true my advice would be to tell her that you want her to be able to tell you when something doesn’t work but that this way of telling you was hurtful and that you both need to work on communication. And then going forward I would be careful not to push an agenda.
So rather than “I’m going to come out X weekend to see your game and then you and I can visit Uncle Oldguy. Can you make sure you have that whole weekend off?”
Phrase it more like “I’d really love to see one of your games. If I came out X or Y weekend how would you feel about that?”
Yes, she knew I was coming. It was her final match of the season. It wasn't all weekend, it was Friday night and a train ride back Saturday morning. I flew back home Saturday afternoon.
Anonymous wrote:"soiling the nest", sure. She cancelled her end of season social celebration to visit you and this relative she might not have much relationship with.
Something happened *before* the sarcastic remark that you didn't care to tell us about.
Anonymous wrote:"soiling the nest", sure. She cancelled her end of season social celebration to visit you and this relative she might not have much relationship with.
Something happened *before* the sarcastic remark that you didn't care to tell us about.
Anonymous wrote:Is this just typical 'soiling the nest' talk you'd let it slide or would this really hurt you?
Flew across the country to DD's college to see her last sporting event of the season. Asked her in advance to spend Friday night through Saturday morning with me for dinner and to visit elderly family member (my uncle) via train. Things were going well, then after a slightly sarcastic comment, DD snapped, "You're lucky I'm here. I'm a college student. I'm giving up my Friday night to do this with you."
If it's relevant, we pay for her room, board, tuition, all of her bills, car when home, all of her flights including a flight to spend with her boyfriend over Thanksgiving break instead of your family, which she told me about a few hours the above scolding. She's a very strong student-athlete, had a summer internship last summer and already has one for summer 2026.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well she was rude. But context matters - was this kind of being sassy and failing to communicate well? I’d be the adult I think , not throw a fit but call out an unnecessary tone. And then move right on.
It came out of nowhere after I sarcastic remark I made. It was really over the top and unwarranted. It just made me feel worthless. Obviously she desired to be with her boyfriend instead of me and an elderly relative; a boy she sees every day of the week. And now she won't be coming home for Thanksgiving and presumably will only be home partially, if at all, during winter break. And she takes a trip during winter break with the boyfriend's friends or family, who do you think will pay for it? Us.
One single night with her and we're made to feel worthless. It stings.
Anonymous wrote:Did she want you to come visit or did you want to visit? The last thing I would have wanted at that age was to have my parents come to my school to spend a weekend. And now I love to have my mom come visit and want her to meet the people in my town who matter to me. I kind of wonder if the real problem is that she was biting her tongue about you visiting at all and then this was a straw that broke the camel’s back.
If that rings true my advice would be to tell her that you want her to be able to tell you when something doesn’t work but that this way of telling you was hurtful and that you both need to work on communication. And then going forward I would be careful not to push an agenda.
So rather than “I’m going to come out X weekend to see your game and then you and I can visit Uncle Oldguy. Can you make sure you have that whole weekend off?”
Phrase it more like “I’d really love to see one of your games. If I came out X or Y weekend how would you feel about that?”
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well she was rude. But context matters - was this kind of being sassy and failing to communicate well? I’d be the adult I think , not throw a fit but call out an unnecessary tone. And then move right on.
It came out of nowhere after I sarcastic remark I made. It was really over the top and unwarranted. It just made me feel worthless. Obviously she desired to be with her boyfriend instead of me and an elderly relative; a boy she sees every day of the week. And now she won't be coming home for Thanksgiving and presumably will only be home partially, if at all, during winter break. And she takes a trip during winter break with the boyfriend's friends or family, who do you think will pay for it? Us.
One single night with her and we're made to feel worthless. It stings.
Is she your only child?