'My daughter's boyfriend is always tagging along - he's taking advantage of us'

When your kids are of dating age, and they start bringing around someone special, family dynamics certainly get more interesting. There's a mix of excitement and adjustment, especially if the significant other becomes a regular fixture at family outings. But what happens when that guest starts feeling a bit too entitled to the family wallet?

This predicament was fodder for debate on Mumsnet after a mother described her frustration with her daughter's boyfriend constantly joining in on family activities and expecting the parents to foot his bill just like they do for their daughter.

Venting online, she wrote, "My daughter (21) has been going out with a lad for three years. He is a very nice person and we all get on well. My 'am I being unreasonable?' is, she invites him to everything we do, often without warning us and when he turns up, we have felt obliged to pay for him the same way we do for her."

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The mom went on to explain, "They are both students and don't have a lot of disposable income. So when we go out, I buy her entry tickets to events, food, drink etc. But he expects us to do the same thing for him and I am getting a bit fed up.", reports the Mirror .

She added in clear exasperation, "It's one thing when we have planned to do something with both of them, but I am getting heartily sick of him just turning up in the car he seems to have no problem paying for and then expecting us to pick up the tab for food, drink, etc."

"He also eats at our house four nights a week. Nor is our hospitality reciprocated by his family - I don't expect it to be, but I am irked. However, I am menopausal and don't know if I am overreacting. But all this money is adding up and we are not an ATM machine! ".

"She can't seem to do anything without him and doesn't even seem to think about the extra money we have to find when he turns up. Should I say something or will this cause a huge fight? We can afford it, it's just I feel taken for granted! ".

Other parents encouraged her to say something, saying it was 'unfair' how she was being treated.

Someone wrote: "Say something. Does seem unfair that she's expecting him to tag along to everything and you to pay for it."

Another commented: "You are being completely reasonable. Can you and your partner sit down and talk to the two of them calmly to try and resolve. Otherwise, maybe stick to entertaining them at home while your daughter is with this scrounger and wait for her to see the light about him."

"Gosh after three years it's going to be a challenge to tackle and change this. I don't envy you", one reasoned. "I think the current economic climate is a justifiable reason to raise this with your daughter."

"I'd be ok having him to tea. But not paying for entrance tickets or meals out. But I understand you want to spend time with your daughter. Tough call."