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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Does this seem like I’m abandoning 24 year old son?

178 replies

4daystobday · 04/04/2025 10:39

Dh grew up in a rural town and while we have lived in our current city for the last 30 years, the plan for some time now has been to move back to his home town.
Ds 24 has changed his mind and doesn’t want to move now, he still lives at home and has asd/adhd he has a job, drives and a side hustle that keeps him busy so he potentially could manage by himself but has never shown signs of planning to move out although I know he’s not managing to save much so has no long term plan.
He also doesn’t have any close friends or any other family here.
AIBU to think we could still move without him or would that look like abandoning him? He was keen to move with us until recently and I won’t pretend we’re not very disappointed.
I think he thought if he decides not to come the move will not happen but I think we’ve got our hearts set on this move now but Ds has never lived independently and does get a lot of anxiety.
It’s 160 miles.

OP posts:
Mydoglovescheese · 04/04/2025 10:47

We had this with DS aged 21. He didn’t want to move with us so moved into a house share with friends. It lasted 6 weeks before he asked to move back in with us!

FuckYouTony · 04/04/2025 10:47

I think at 24, even with the SEN, he could live independently especially having his own income. You could help set that up with him, finding a flat etc, so you know he's secure.
You're not abandoning him though. He's a grown man.

FrenchandSaunders · 04/04/2025 10:46

Tricky one, I don't think I could leave him, but having said that you need to be able to plan your next stage, and it doesn't sound like he will move out any time soon. What are his reasons for changing his mind?