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Not coping with adult child being back home

164 replies

movienights · 10/05/2024 10:51

Ds has moved back home after 3 years living with his ex.
He's 25 and he does absolutely nothing around the house or garden, if he's asked to do something he'll do such a poor job that it will need doing again, he can't wash up properly and leaves frying pans and pots grease stained and dirty so dh or I have now said leave the washing up so we can do it properly, the washing up he accumulates is only his packed lunch he cooks salmon or chops to take and rice or potatoes late at night so we have to wake up and clean up.
I cook his main meal with the family which I'm happy to do as I would anyway and one more portion is nothing.
He has all his washing done for him because he's so heavy handed with the buttons and broke the last machine, he peels his clothes off and puts them in the laundry basket inside out, even socks, he treads down so hard on the pedal bin we're on about our 3rd this year, he's broken the front and back door and his bedroom door just by being heavy handed yanking the handle, he leaves the bathroom soaked through every day and his towel on the floor because no amount of asking him to open window sinks in, he leaves black marks all over the house from his dirty hands, (he works in a filthy factory) it cleans off but is extra work, he makes so much mess and work for me and does nothing, or puts such little effort into reluctantly doing what's asked that I have to do it again anyway.
He has no life outside of work, no friends and no hobbies never leaves the house which he seems happy with, he works the same hours as us so is in his room all night every night a thin wall away so our sex life has nose dived.

He's now informed us he's going to go back to college and then do an apprenticeship after, which I admire anyone who wants to better themselves but this just screams I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.
He lies to us constantly, he's also very unsociable and keeps his life very private so even having a conversation or exchanging pleasantries is awkward because he doesn't like questions so even how was your day is a one word answer so not to give anything away.
I make allowances for him because he is possibly autistic or has ADHD but refuses to get assessed as he feels he's just the way he is and doesn't want a diagnosis or medication.

I am I constantly arguing with dh about something else he's done because dh moans to me as ds won't be spoken to about anything, it's like living with a teenager who just storms off at the first sign of criticism or he'll shout and argue back and then nothing changes except the atmosphere.

I feel completely snowed under with the situation, our marriage is at breaking point and there's nothing I can do about it because he's likely going to be here for the foreseeable future if not forever.

OP posts:
whitebutterfly3 · 14/05/2024 19:57

I'd refuse to do his washing and leave it to pile up (in his room)
He'll soon do it when he runs out of underwear.
I'd ban him from using anything that he leaves broken/dirty.
If he's not prepared to clean it he doesn't use it including the toilet, the shower and the kitchen.
If he can't master the washing machine, direct him to a launderette.
If he still can't master washing up he can buy food in packets for lunch like sausage rolls and pasty's.
He may eventually find it's easier to move out.

strawberrysea · 14/05/2024 19:55

I know this is harsh and not what you need right now - but you were the one who raised him.

Have you always done his washing? Cooking? Always picked up after him?

This is what my DP was like when we first met and I nearly left him. His mother openly (and proudly) admits that growing up he never lifted a finger.

MikeRafone · 14/05/2024 19:47

Tell him it is not working out as things are, his behaviour and attitude need to change or alternative arrangements will need to be made.

How is he going to fund his apprenticeship and college etc? is he giving up work?

If he is not willing to open bathroom windows, keep his dirt to himself, which is general respect - then he can't be shown the respect back and live in the house

SchoolQuestionnaire · 14/05/2024 19:35

I’m not one for kicking adult kids out if they need you but I would not be putting up with this shit. He’s an adult. If the dishes aren’t washed properly he does them again. If he doesn’t pick his towel up call him back to do it every time, or better, leave it on his bed. If he breaks something he pays to replace it. He hasn’t just developed these habits surely? Start holding him accountable.

YouOKHun · 14/05/2024 19:22

@movienights do you have other children?

unsync · 14/05/2024 17:52

vanillaclouds · 14/05/2024 16:43

Are you on the right thread?

Possibly not! Apologies.

seaandsandals · 14/05/2024 17:34

I lived back with my parents briefly in my early 20s and my mum did all the cooking as she always had and all the washing and cleaning and never expected me to do anything.
She was my mum and she treated me like a guest and was pleased to have me back for a while.
I never ended up lazy and unable to take care of myself for it.

IntoTheMild · 14/05/2024 17:33

You need to be really clear with him about what is annoying you. Have you told him he is leaving black marks everywhere and needs to wipe them? That he needs to wash up at night? Etc I know it’s sounds obvious but my DH is a bit like this, he’s heavy handed and leaves marks everywhere as he’s a gardener with strong hands, I tell him gently each time he does something wrong and he apologises and says he’ll fix it/clean it/buys me a knew one and be more careful. The important distinction is I don’t nag him or approach the subject aggressively.

Your son may be depressed after his breakup and moving back home as an adult with no friends outside of work. The last thing he’ll want is his parents attacking him too but he does need guidance.

wearyfromlife · 14/05/2024 17:31

You have choices here.

  • 3 months with you with a list of conditions - pays rent, washes dishes nightly, mows the lawn, takes the bins out, does his own laundry one day a week.
  • Next - flat share/bed sit whatever.

Time for him to grow up!

WoodBurningStov · 14/05/2024 17:28

Yes he needs to leave, he's an adult and can't act like a child and expect to be treated like one.

He rents his own house and if he wants to go back to education or an apprenticeship he funds it himself whilst renting a room somewhere

Or you put your foot down, he pays for a cleaner for the house, if he breaks something, bin, washing machine he pays for a replacement. He washers chores, does his own washing and gives you space on your own home

WhereYouLeftIt · 14/05/2024 17:22

He needs to leave.

And I expect that's what his ex-girlfriend told him too.

Seriously - you need to have the shape-up-or-ship-out conversation with him. And mean it. Although, since he "won't be spoken to about anything, it's like living with a teenager who just storms off at the first sign of criticism or he'll shout and argue back and then nothing changes except the atmosphere" it'spropably pointless and best to just skip straight to 'you need to move out, you have one month to find somewhere else and there will be no extension to this deadline' conversation.

vanillaclouds · 14/05/2024 17:20

And what about the father?

The father does have concerns but apparently only about his lack of privacy and sex life.

Wexone · 14/05/2024 17:19

Polishedshoesalways · 14/05/2024 17:10

But he has a father that should teaching his son skills and housework, and how to adult. The onus is not all on op! How bloody misogynistic to be blaming op as the mother.

Edited

he has two parents and yes agree should be BOTH parents should show him but we dont know what parenting was done - all we can go by is what the OP is saying and as it is only her point of view coming across with no mention on what father says or if he has tried to do anything or if its another story where OP is a martyr and does everything
Either way what every Parenting was done - the son is useless lazy fucker

5128gap · 14/05/2024 17:18

You need to take back control OP and insist on considerate cohabiting behaviour. I'm assuming his GF didn't tolerate this for three full years? So presumably he has lowered his game for you, and needs to up it again.
He does the washing up badly, get him to do it again. He refuses? Clean stuff for you and DH and let him use the products of his own incompetence. He breaks something, you get him to pay for it to be replaced. He leaves dirty marks, you tell him to clean up.
I'm sure he will be sullen and hostile, but unless you're actually frightened of him (which is a different thread) then you need to stand your ground. There's two of you, it's your house, take back control.
If all else fails you can ask him to leave. But personally I'd do that as a last resort. It's not easy breaking up with a partner, especially when you have no friends or social life, and it can be easy to spiral into a dangerous depression. So in your shoes I'd prefer to have him close while he got going in his new career and got his life on track. But only with improved behaviour.

AliceMcK · 14/05/2024 17:17

movienights · 11/05/2024 09:09

Dh biggest issue is that he never goes out of an evening and we never get any privacy so sex suffers.
He doesn't seem to see much past that.
He's broken his bedroom door where he's so heavy handed and so it's always open a thin wall from ours and he stays up until late.

Have loud sex, he will be out of there!

Also call him out on everything he dose, if he sulks or argues remind him it’s your house your rules if he dosnt like it leave, that includes being civil to you.

Polishedshoesalways · 14/05/2024 17:10

Wexone · 14/05/2024 17:05

Well we have no mention of the father in OP's post, what he has to say about it - Has the father tried to over rule her but she wont let him ? Or does she do everything for him too ? If so even worse

But he has a father that should teaching his son skills and housework, and how to adult. The onus is not all on op! How bloody misogynistic to be blaming op as the mother.

Wexone · 14/05/2024 17:05

Polishedshoesalways · 14/05/2024 16:59

And what about the father?

Well we have no mention of the father in OP's post, what he has to say about it - Has the father tried to over rule her but she wont let him ? Or does she do everything for him too ? If so even worse

Polishedshoesalways · 14/05/2024 16:59

Wexone · 14/05/2024 15:52

Ha i just have read this tread and here is a mother who has made an incompetent man child that this thread is giving out about 🤔😅
AIBU - motherhood has ruined men for me | Mumsnet
Start making him do stuff if not get out - You shouldnt have let him leave the dishes - you should have made him go back and wash again - you not helping him at all

And what about the father?

buttonsarecute · 14/05/2024 16:47

He sounds depressed 😔

But on the other hand everyone goes through heartbreak he needs to get out there and find some friends

He needs to move out

But if he won't then you need to write him a list sticker it on his bedroom door if things he needs to do because if he is adhd and no one has helped him write lists being 25 is irrelevant show him how to write it and then he needs to write his own and actually do the tasks

vanillaclouds · 14/05/2024 16:43

unsync · 14/05/2024 16:30

Why can't you ask him to leave? He should be in a houseshare or bedsit. If you split up from your DH, he'll have to leave anyway as you won't get to keep the house.

Are you on the right thread?

unsync · 14/05/2024 16:30

Why can't you ask him to leave? He should be in a houseshare or bedsit. If you split up from your DH, he'll have to leave anyway as you won't get to keep the house.

Wexone · 14/05/2024 15:52

Ha i just have read this tread and here is a mother who has made an incompetent man child that this thread is giving out about 🤔😅
AIBU - motherhood has ruined men for me | Mumsnet
Start making him do stuff if not get out - You shouldnt have let him leave the dishes - you should have made him go back and wash again - you not helping him at all

Polishedshoesalways · 14/05/2024 15:33

Give him two weeks notice to find a place. He can be a lodger elsewhere. I would not put up with this - I would be crystal clear to about mu reasons too.

Beautiful3 · 14/05/2024 14:59

He is 25! Tell him he needs to move out soon, help him look for bedsits. He can't carry on living with you like this. We would all love to move back home and absolve all responsibilities, but we don't past 21. Adults have to work or study part time around their job.

NoThanksymm · 14/05/2024 13:55

… … … you are the parent!!!!!

i mean, sounds like he’s a real winner, glad his partner got out.

you’ve gotta lay down the law! Or tell him to get out! He’s not 6! An adult living at home should be grateful and making life easier rather than worse!

and come on! He’s breaking things because he’s too rough!! That’s unacceptable!

if you can’t handle him get him out! NOW!

if you can, then it’s time to parent him and make him into a good man so he can keep a relationship - you sent this person out into the world!!!

he can’t clean up, so laundry, and you’re walking up to clean after him! This is allll so solidly WTF.

i mean you do what you can as a parent, but this isn’t worth your marriage! Do you have daughters in the house??!? Are you shopping them that this is ok?!? Setting them up for a life of abuse?!?