His Girlfriend Helped Decorate His New Vacation Home but Never Paid a Cent Toward It, and Now She Won’t Let His Daughter’s Family Use the Master Bedroom
A man recently bought a vacation home about 200 miles away, and he spends roughly half his weekends there with his girlfriend of 15 years. Now his grown daughter wants to bring her in-laws and their family for a stay while he’s away.
The house is small for that many people unless the master bedroom is used. His girlfriend has made it clear that nobody else should ever sleep in their room, and he’s stuck between her wishes and his kids’.
A New Vacation Home
The vacation home is a new purchase, and he’s the sole owner. He and his girlfriend split their weekends between there and home.
Owning a second home is a big financial commitment. Between the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and upkeep, a vacation property can cost thousands of dollars a year even when it sits empty.
Three Bedrooms and Two Bathrooms
The house has three bedrooms, including a master, a guest room with a king bed, and a kids’ room with two twin beds. There’s also a loft with a pullout couch.
Only two bathrooms are available, and both are downstairs. The master bedroom comes with one of them.
A Visit From His Daughter’s In-Laws
His daughter, who’s in her 30s, wants to invite her husband’s parents and her brother-in-law’s family. Altogether, that would mean three couples and three children.
He won’t be there during the visit. His daughter has offered to clean up and change the sheets before she leaves.
A Tight Fit Without the Master
Without the master bedroom, the house would be crowded. Fitting three couples and three kids into the remaining space would be a challenge.
Using the master would make the stay much more comfortable. It would also give guests access to a second bathroom.
If the house can’t comfortably fit everyone, the family might need to book extra lodging nearby. Hotels or rentals can add hundreds of dollars to a weekend trip.
A Girlfriend Who Says No
His longtime girlfriend doesn’t want anyone else sleeping in their bedroom under any circumstances. To her, that room is personal space.
She’s spent time decorating the house and making it feel like theirs. However, she hasn’t contributed financially to buying or maintaining it.
Grown Kids Who Disagree
He asked his adult son for his opinion. His son agrees that his sister and her husband should be allowed to use the master, as long as they clean up afterward.
Both of his kids think the rule is excessive. They point out that their father owns the house and should be able to decide who stays there.
A House in His Name Alone
He wants his children and their families to be able to enjoy the home. Part of the reason for buying a vacation house is to share it with the people he loves.
At the same time, he doesn’t want to upset the woman he’s been with for 15 years. She clearly feels strongly about keeping their bedroom private.
Keeping the Peace or Sharing the Space
He’s trying to decide whether to let his daughter use the master or respect his girlfriend’s boundary. Either choice could leave someone feeling hurt.
With the visit approaching, he’s left weighing his role as a father and homeowner against his relationship, and wondering how much one bedroom could cost him either way.
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