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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I can’t accommodate son who’s struggling, can I?

383 replies

nomorecheesyjokes · 10/06/2025 11:49

I have 2 teenagers living at home and a son in his mid 20s who moved out a year ago.
He is autistic and is struggling to find his way, he has a job, which he hates, minimum wage but he’s not academic so has no qualifications.
His tenancy is up and he has to leave but is struggling to find another room he likes and really just wants to come home, I think he’s finding it all overwhelming and if he was an only child we’d probably accept he is better at home but he has a bit of an aggressive streak and is quite intimidating to his sisters as he can be quite loud and struggles with boundaries such as not barging in their room or making unwanted comments which are hurtful.

We have spent a small fortune in repairing his old room, new carpet, repaint and fixing broken doors and holes in walls and have given the room to our dd who previously shared with her sister.
We have slowly decorated the house throughout since he’s been gone as he has a tendency to spoil things which since ds has moved out has looked much cleaner and tidy as he was not the cleanest.

I feel torn now between having him back and the house being ruined in next to no time, he will upset his sisters because he doesn’t understand tact and they are very sensitive, Dh and I will be back to arguing about his mess but - it would be a lot of stress off ds shoulders, he doesn’t have any friends and stays in all the time when not working and is a very dominating presence, he also makes lots of work for me as he is messy and a hoarder.
What would you do in this situation? We thought he’d be fine with his own room but he’s not really and it will greatly impact our daughters if he comes back as they struggled to live with him before and the constant squabbling between them has stopped and they have become closer living apart and a lot happier.

OP posts:
nomorecheesyjokes · 10/06/2025 12:06

HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 10/06/2025 11:58

You can’t have him back to the detriment of 4 other people. If he moves back in, I imagine it’ll be years before he moves out again.

This is what I’ve said but then he says he’s going to end up homeless and on the streets so I have to think no I won’t let that happen when he has a family who love him.
I have tried to help him find a new room but he’s adamant he’ll just live in his car because he can’t deal with it all. I feel sorry for him but then he’s not trying and doesn’t want us to interfere by looking so I don’t know what he wants from us.

OP posts:
XelaM · 10/06/2025 12:03

Can you build a garden annex or put a caravan on your land, so he has his own living space but is still at home?

DeedlessIndeed · 10/06/2025 12:01

If he moves back it'll be so much harder to move out for a second time, as he'll know how hard it has been this time.
Support him as much as possible emotionally, practically with finding a new place and even financially if you are able and wish to do so. But draw the line at him moving back.

HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 10/06/2025 11:58

You can’t have him back to the detriment of 4 other people. If he moves back in, I imagine it’ll be years before he moves out again.

nomorecheesyjokes · 10/06/2025 11:58

Unfortunately not, he struggles but does live independently and drives and holds down a job so he won’t get supported housing. He also doesn’t accept that his autism causes his struggles, he just thinks life is all going wrong for him and it’s all bad luck.

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 10/06/2025 11:57

He’s managed to live independently. He might not like it but going back to his comfort zone isn’t going to do him any good.

if I were you I’d offer emotional support and help to get another tenancy but not have him back unless you have to.

my DD’s living arrangements collapsed (house share partner got a brain tumor and had to move back to her parents) so I have her back with me but it’s not good for me or her and I’m looking to get her as independent as possible soon.

Ablondiebutagoody · 10/06/2025 11:56

What do your daughters think about it?

teenmaw · 10/06/2025 11:50

Can you look into supported independent living for him? Doesn’t sound like he can cope on his own and not feasible to be home with siblings