Dear Diane,
My son is coming home from college and is bringing his girlfriend. I still have teens in the house and do not want them to stay in the same room. My son says if I refuse to let her stay with him they may not come home. What to do? Is he being rude by not respecting Holiday Etiquette at my house?
-J.
Dear J.,
What’s more important to you? Allowing your son to manipulate you into an uncomfortable situation or standing your ground and feeling like you made a decision based on your good judgment? I’d tell your son that you would love to see him and host his girlfriend but for just a couple of nights, would they consider abiding by the house rules? By doing this, you show that you are trying to find a balance between your wishes and his. If he says no, politely wish both of them a happy holiday and accept his decision. Don’t punish him by not giving him his gifts. Send or drive them to him and treat him with love and kindness. Tell him you are sad that they won’t be spending the holidays with you but you completely understand.
Happy Holidays!
You may also like Addressing Awkward Holiday Party Dilemmas. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on Huff Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.
Sincerely,
