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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think DS massively overreacted calling the police?

243 replies

YellowBall72 · 13/08/2025 13:04

Yesterday afternoon DS (17) asked if he could borrow DH’s car to nip to the shops. He doesn’t drive, has no licence, and isn’t insured so DH obviously said no. Cue DS stomping about, muttering under his breath, slamming cupboard doors.

DH told him to pack it in and when he started swearing, took his phone off him and said he’d get it back later when he calmed down.

Next thing, DS has locked himself in his room. I assumed he was just sulking but turns out he was on his laptop calling the police. Ten minutes later there’s a knock at the door and two officers are stood there saying they’ve had a call from “a vulnerable young person” saying he was being held against his will.

They came in, had a chat with DS, realised it was a daft family row, and told him wasting police time is serious. They left soon after but now DS is acting like he’s somehow in the right and DH is fuming.

I’m embarrassed the neighbours probably saw and think we’re some sort of nightmare family. AIBU to think DS completely overreacted or should I be worried he felt this was the right course of action?

OP posts:
Motheranddaughter · 13/08/2025 13:16

I would be worried about his mental health
Also I would not have taken a phone from a 17 year old

WhenYouSayNothingAtAll · 13/08/2025 13:16

What’s the backstory here with your son?

Why would he even think that asking to take the car was a reasonable request in the first place?

Then when told no, he became aggressive.

Then when told to pack it in he called the police?

He’s either an entirely spoilt and entitled little brat or he has some serious issues.Which is it?

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 13/08/2025 13:15

Is DH his dad? Who paid for the phone? How did he call the police without a phone or does he have a landline in his room?

Aspanielstolemysanity · 13/08/2025 13:13

I'd be worried about his mental health? His grip on reality seems quite loose (if the facts are as you tell them)

DidIdotheritething · 13/08/2025 13:13

I’d be asking him where he was intending to be living going forward as his starter for 10. And having a hard conversation with him about acceptable behaviour.

ponyprincess · 13/08/2025 13:13

PInkyStarfish · 13/08/2025 13:10

Why would you be worried about the spiteful and downright nasty actions of your offspring who doesn’t respect his father and brings the police to your door.

I wish they had charged him for wasting police time and locked him up for a day.

That's a bit harsh- this may be a cry for help for other issues- mental health etc

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 13/08/2025 13:12

This whole scenario just makes no sense to me whatsoever.

FieldInWhichFucksAreGrownIsBarren · 13/08/2025 13:12

He's 17 and pulled this shit?
Christ there really is no hope for the human race...
Your son is a fuckwit and i'd also be fuming at him.
Shame the Police didn't charge him with wasting thier time. I was going to say I'm amazed that they came out as they can't even be arsed when a real crime is committed but I'm sure they were just covering themselves due to the type of call.

ponyprincess · 13/08/2025 13:12

Don't worry about the police and neighbours-police can come for various reasons e.g. stolen phone etc

GinAndJuice99 · 13/08/2025 13:11

There must be a BIT more to this, at least. Why did he feel he was being held against his will?

WearyAuldWumman · 13/08/2025 13:11

I'd be tempted to tell him that he's no longer being held against his will and should be packing his things. [Yes, bluffing.]

PInkyStarfish · 13/08/2025 13:10

Why would you be worried about the spiteful and downright nasty actions of your offspring who doesn’t respect his father and brings the police to your door.

I wish they had charged him for wasting police time and locked him up for a day.

SunlitUpland · 13/08/2025 13:10

Are you really expecting posters to say yes, your teenager was fully justified in calling 999 and claiming to be being held against his will?

ponyprincess · 13/08/2025 13:10

This sounds really stressful- unless there is some other back story, your DS was out of line. No way should he have taken the car under the circumstances you say. Or called the police.

When things calm down, a conversation is needed with DS- around what was appropriate on that circumstance, but just a check in too, is he acting out because 9f something else?

Teenagers are tough!

redskydelight · 13/08/2025 13:10

I'd be questioning why

  1. your child thought he should drive a car when he doesn't have a license and can't drive and
  2. why his response to being asked to calm down was to call the police

Neither of these are normal behaviour. What else is going on?

cryinglaughing · 13/08/2025 13:09

Hahaha what a prat!!
Hopefully you'll look back and laugh in years to come.

TheNightingalesStarling · 13/08/2025 13:09

Did they explain the consequences of wasting police time?

Whatifitallgoesright · 13/08/2025 13:06

I can't comprehend why you would even doubt this.