A mum has complained that she is being 'taken for granted' by her daughter and new son-in-law - after she allowed the pair to live 'rent free' in her home.
The anonymous parent told the tale of how her child was taking advantage of her kindness on the regular, reports the Mirror. The daughter and her husband were seemingly taking liberties at the mum's expense, despite deciding to branch out on their own.
READ MORE - Edinburgh set for freezing temperatures and heavy rain as spring is postponed
The woman even claimed that the couple were walking into her home 'at any time of day or night'.
The 30-year-old daughter wanted to move back into the family home 'rent free', in an attempt to save some money to buy a house with her husband, and set up a business together. However, while initially being okay with the idea, the mum ended up feeling taken for granted in her own home.
Taking to parent forum, NetMums, the anonymous user said: "My son-in-law has a house they had been living in, which he was able to rent out when they moved in with us - this gave them their living expenses whilst they set up a new business together."
The sharing wasn't reciporated in the beginning either, as the mum gifted meals, household essentials and furniture to the couple, alongside financial support.
However, the daughter and her husband didn't even bother inviting the mum to their housewarming party.
She added: "The issue is about a complete lack of appreciation. They say thank you at the time they know to say it, but nothing more - they haven't so much as cooked us a meal in the past six years.
"They haven't contributed to housework either. We were particularly hurt when they didn't invite us to their recent housewarming party."
The anonymous mum is at her wit's end with the pair, and is considering setting up some boundaries for the couple.
She added: "Despite them stepping into their independent life, they still expect to walk into our house at any time of the day or night to borrow things or ask for things they want. We repeatedly feel used and taken for granted.
"After the most recent liberty, I'm thinking of removing the key from the key safe, so they can't get in when we're out or asleep. Is this petty point scoring, or appropriate setting of some boundaries, after I feel they have taken our generosity for granted for too long? I would love to hear what other parents of grown-up children think."
Responding to this, many parents agreed that this situation needed to be dealt with upfront, and that some honesty is required with the couple.
One wrote: "Rather than just removing the key from the key safe you need to sit them down and talk to them like the adults they are and tell them that they are now independent adults and need to act as such.
"By letting them move in and you doing all the cooking/cleaning/running around for them you allowed them to be the adolescents they were when they were last living at home. You made the mistake of not apportioning a share of the jobs and the bills to them back at the start.
"I think if you just remove the key from the box you are risking them feeling rejected without knowing that what you need now is privacy, you've done your bit and now you need your home back....then take the key out of the box or change the code."
Another user was frustrated with the housewarming party snub, saying: "You weren't invited to their housewarming? Why not? I would flip my lid, to be honest, how ungrateful.
"Remove the key, and tell them it's your home not a free hotel for them to come and go as they please, that may make them open their eyes to the fact they've behaved like selfish, spoilt children. I'd be raging."
One user was more measured and added: "I personally would sit down and let them know how you feel. Sounds like you have a good enough relationship with them enough for it not to get bitter and hopefully they will understand why you are upset."
READ NEXT:
Edinburgh Festival Fringe names city centre building as preferred central hub
Former Edinburgh high school swimming pool set for bulldozer over 'safety fears'
First Edinburgh daytime 'ghost trams' seen as testing continues on Newhaven link
Edinburgh easyJet 'sorry' as stranded passengers told to stay in one star hotel
The 'seedy' Edinburgh hotel notorious for fighting sailors and working girls
