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AIBU

Really cross with DD1

(47 Posts)
glammagran Wed 04-Jan-23 23:52:37

My DS and his family returned to the U.K. on 30th December 2020 mainly because of Brexit (U.K. bank accounts would be fore-closed to ex-pats on 1st January 2021). They were forced to live for several months in an Airbnb as they had tenants living in their house who did not vacate until May 2021 - a huge expense for them. As the country was in lockdown at the time they only had one car meaning my DIL was unable to take her kids to 2 different schools once they reopened. They are very rural. We had a small car which was just sitting on our drive (really no need for us to have 2 cars) so we gave them the use of that which they still have, servicing, taxing and insuring.

A couple of months ago DD1 asked us if she could have the car as DGD1 was about to turn 17 and wanted it to learn to drive in. I said she needed to discuss it with DS. He said it was ok but he’d need to find and pay for another vehicle. Today DD1 demanded the use of the car this weekend even though DS hasn’t found another vehicle yet. She then came at us with both barrels saying we had promised her the use of the car as soon as DGD1 was 17. We absolutely did no such thing but to keep the peace DS will relinquish the car this weekend.

My view is that the needs of the family overide the wants of a (very spoilt) 17 year old who has always got everything she has wanted. I am fuming with DD1, always the most prickly of my children.

Fleurpepper Thu 05-Jan-23 18:24:31

Chapeau, made me smile- I learnt to drive in 2 very different cars, a 2CV and a TR4 smile yes, excellent practice.

welbeck Thu 05-Jan-23 18:30:45

whoever is driving the vehicle on more than an occasional basis, esp a learner, you must ensure that you are not the registered keeper and subject to liabilitlies.

glammagran Thu 05-Jan-23 19:34:05

Should also have said it is DS who has taxed, serviced and insured vehicle, not us.

NotSpaghetti Thu 05-Jan-23 19:44:24

So really this vehicle is yours pretty much in name only.
Why your daughter thinks they need three cars is a mystery.

I'd suggest they wait till your son is sorted and then, if you don't need it, suggest they buy it and deal with tax, maintenance etc themselves.
I wouldn't really want to be responsible for insuring a car for a grandchild to be honest.

Good luck.

Shelflife Thu 23-Mar-23 14:24:00

Your son is very kind to relinquish the car. You allowed him to have it to ease them over a difficult patch. We can't always treat our AC equally, we help as and when necessary. Don't think your DD should be angry , she really has no right to come at you " all guns blazing" !!!

glammagran Thu 23-Mar-23 14:42:30

Update. The car duly went to DD1/DGD1. It took a few weeks for DS to find a replacement but have now got a small 2nd car.

DD1’s in-laws drove down from the North East last week to visit them and their expensive top-of-the-range 4 year old car suffered an engine seizure on the motorway (he possibly hadn’t checked the oil) where it was towed away. She phoned us to ask if they could borrow the small car so they could get home. DH said no so they hired a car. 🤬

Norah Thu 23-Mar-23 14:53:51

Have you considered treating your 2 AC equally?

pascal30 Thu 23-Mar-23 15:16:12

Your GD would be much safer in the 4x4, not to mention whoever is teaching her to drive.. especially if a 4x4 is needed wherever they live.. It also sounds like sibling rivalry re your DD

mumofmadboys Thu 23-Mar-23 17:01:29

Norah - why such a goading post?!

CanadianGran Thu 23-Mar-23 17:34:12

Can you clarify...I'm confused.

Your original small car is now possessed by granddaughter.
Son purchased a new small car.

Your daughter wanted to borrow your son's new car for her in-laws? That seems bizarre.

glammagran Thu 23-Mar-23 18:16:50

We saw both DD1 and DS on Mother’s Day. No problems at all. We have lent our small car out to DGD1 to learn to drive in and it was this car DD1 requested for her inlaws. DH said no as we didn’t want it disappearing to the other end of the country. It already has quite high mileage - DD2 used it at uni and then for a couple of years afterwards. DD1 may consider buying it as DGD loves it.

Norah Thu 23-Mar-23 18:36:47

mumofmadboys

Norah - why such a goading post?!

Well, I don't think I "goaded"....

Equal is always always best, in my opinion.

Fleurpepper Thu 23-Mar-23 18:39:25

Not always possible for a variety of reasons. One could be very very well off, and another one seriously need help, for whatever reason.

So glammagran, everyone happy now?

JaneJudge Thu 23-Mar-23 18:44:10

It sounds like everyone is happy now smile

glammagran Thu 23-Mar-23 19:48:43

Norah

mumofmadboys

Norah - why such a goading post?!

Well, I don't think I "goaded"....

Equal is always always best, in my opinion.

I’m not sure in which way you think I’m treating the older 2 children of 48 and 45 unequally. I merely said I think getting children to school took precedence over a 17 year old learning to drive. That was sorted last month. It was lending it out to in-laws we weren’t happy with.

Norah Thu 23-Mar-23 19:59:52

glammagran

Norah

mumofmadboys

Norah - why such a goading post?!

Well, I don't think I "goaded"....

Equal is always always best, in my opinion.

I’m not sure in which way you think I’m treating the older 2 children of 48 and 45 unequally. I merely said I think getting children to school took precedence over a 17 year old learning to drive. That was sorted last month. It was lending it out to in-laws we weren’t happy with.

I responded to what I read in your OP. The in-laws were not part to the OP.

To me, equal is always best. It seemed you were giving priority to your son. Son had the car, seemed to me, quite some time (2 years).

We attempt equal to our children - thus my asking if you considered that aspect. Not the in-laws as a red herring.

No matter, all are different parents.

Madgran77 Thu 23-Mar-23 21:33:16

Equal is not necessarily same!

Hetty58 Thu 23-Mar-23 21:59:48

I'd agree with sibling rivalry and jealousy causing the 'both barrels' tantrum.

I'm always very wary of lending or borrowing anything - unless there's a dire emergency - and I'd worry about being the owner or registered keeper of a car driven by a youngster. Why not sell the car and the problem's solved. If they both want it, say no and sell elsewhere.

IrishDancing Thu 23-Mar-23 22:17:40

I don’t see why AC should be treated the same, surely different adults have different needs.

Delila Thu 23-Mar-23 23:07:30

Surely adult offspring should be mature enough to appreciate that they can’t expect to be treated equally in all circumstances. They will have different needs at different times and all parents can do is give the best help they can when it is needed.

Sibling rivalry is a thing of childhood. Carried on into adulthood, and used to make impossible demands, it becomes a form of tyranny.

Hetty58 Thu 23-Mar-23 23:31:11

Delila, I've found that sibling rivalry/jealousy is just below the surface - in my children and in my siblings - to emerge at times of stress. If they behave as children, then treat them as children. If mine squabbled over anything - it was promptly removed, hence my suggestion to sell the car.