Girlfriend Introduces Boyfriend's Parents As Grandpa And Grandma To Her Son, Making Them Uncomfortable

Did she overstep by introducing her boyfriend's parents as 'grandma and grandpa' to her son?

Lakeisha

• Published in Interesting
• January 24, 2023

Reddit user Character_Bed_1205 narrated a story about a Thanksgiving dinner she attended with her boyfriend, "Jay," and her 4-year-old son. She and Jay have been in a relationship for a year and a half, and he has been a great stepfather figure to her son, who doesn't have a relationship with his biological father.

According to Character_Bed_1205, she gets along with Jay's parents but hasn't had much time to bond with them as she has only met them three times. Although Jay's parents knew about Character_Bed_1205's son, they had never met before.

So, when they met for the first time at the Thanksgiving dinner, she introduced them to her son as "Grandma and Grandpa," but this made them uncomfortable. They became distant and cold towards her and didn't stick around for long after dinner.

When she asked Jay about it later, he was angry with her for introducing them that way without discussing it with him first. He claimed that his parents didn't think they were serious enough yet and thought she was using him as a replacement father.

The duo fought, and they haven't spoken since. Now, Character_Bed_1205 is questioning if she was wrong in her actions and also mentioned that her sister also had the same perspective that they were not that serious. Here's how the AITA community responded to her post.

Here's OP's story.

Everyone was uncomfortable.

She knows she messed up and apologized, but here's what Reddit thinks.

1. They shouldn't be introduced in terms that describe roles they don't fill yet.

2. It's always best to stick to formality when making such introductions.

3. She should have discussed it with her boyfriend beforehand.

4. Jay is only her boyfriend and has a long way to go before becoming her husband.

5. It's shocking that she doesn't realize that she's the ahole in this situation.

6. She owes everyone involved an apology.

7. She needs to apologize to her boyfriend ASAP.

8. She has no right to introduce them as such without their permission.

9. She didn't think about how devastated her son would be if they break up.

10. What would happen if they break up?

11. She was wrong, even though she didn't mean any harm.

12. She committed more than one blunder.

13. She overstepped by too many bounds.

14. She has potentially ruined the relationship and would have to explain to her son that he can't see his "grandparents" anymore.

15. She doesn't know them well enough for that.

16. She was out of line.

17. Jay and his parents deserve an apology from her.

18. It's unfortunate that her son is caught up in the middle of this.

19. Her actions could set her son up for much hurt in the future.

20. Her son may become confused and isolated if they break up.

What Do You Think?

Forcing roles on people without speaking to them and getting their consent can be disrespectful and can create tension and discomfort. It is important to remember that everyone has their own boundaries and expectations.

Additionally, it is important to respect the dynamics of the relationship and not to assume that someone will be comfortable with a certain role without discussing it with them first. What do you think?

Lakeisha