Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My son is yet to wish me a happy new year

160 replies

ClaxonRazon · 02/01/2026 03:54

First of all, I’d like to preface this with noting that my son and I generally have a very positive relationship, we spent Christmas with him and his girlfriend and had the most lovely time.

My son is 27, he is independent and I like to think I’m not particularly needy as a parent. He and his girlfriend have gone to Chamonix with some of her friends for New Year. We spoke last on Tuesday via text when he told me they were having a big meal in the chalet then going to some sort of public square for the count down, I told him to have a lovely time.
Last night just after we welcomed the new year here so about 12:30 our time, 1:30 his I messaged both him and wished him a happy new year. I didn’t by any means expect an instant reply, I figured he would be celebrating , but I was keen to go to sleep so didn’t want to wait up in case he called.
This morning I didn’t receive a reply, I wrote it off as probably hung over or out skiing early. Through the afternoon and evening still no reply. Eventually when I called my other son to speak to his family he offered to check and see if he had been active on social media. Apparently he had posted some things on instagram of the meal then of them popping champagne in the square area, his girlfriend had posted some things during the day out snowboarding, then at apres.
I went to bed assuming he would reply when he got a chance but I’ve woken up feeling quite upset, I’m worried that he is unwell or something has happened, and also just hurt he couldn’t take 30 seconds to send a quick happy new year mum message if nothing is wrong.
I don’t want to harass him while he is on holiday but AIBU to be worried and upset? Should I message again or just leave it until he replies?

OP posts:
PollyBell · 02/01/2026 04:39

ClaxonRazon · 02/01/2026 04:29

I messaged him on WhatsApp, his girlfriend has posted on her socials during the day and it has delivered so they have had service.

So you know he has not an accident or something

McSpoot · 02/01/2026 04:36

ClaxonRazon · 02/01/2026 04:29

I messaged him on WhatsApp, his girlfriend has posted on her socials during the day and it has delivered so they have had service.

And you also know that he is fine. So, your comment about worrying is a red herring.

BoxOfCats · 02/01/2026 04:35

You need to get a grip.

springintoaction2 · 02/01/2026 04:34

You are needy - maybe dwell on something more important.🙄

ClaxonRazon · 02/01/2026 04:29

ParallelLimes · 02/01/2026 04:15

Do you mean a text message delivered to his number by mobile service? He's very likely bought a temporary SIM to save on data roaming. It's what the cool kids do nowadays. Or (skiing in some mountains) he might not have phone coverage due to the mountains. He might not have even seen your message yet. YABU.

Edited

I messaged him on WhatsApp, his girlfriend has posted on her socials during the day and it has delivered so they have had service.

OP posts:
NansCheeseFlan · 02/01/2026 04:23

Good grief.

Gentlydoesit2 · 02/01/2026 04:20

Pathetic. You've got your other son to spy on him and found out he's fine, if anything has happened to him you'd know about it. The issue here is he hasn't responded to your trivial text in the time frame you've set as acceptable. It's only New Year 🙄

ParallelLimes · 02/01/2026 04:15

Do you mean a text message delivered to his number by mobile service? He's very likely bought a temporary SIM to save on data roaming. It's what the cool kids do nowadays. Or (skiing in some mountains) he might not have phone coverage due to the mountains. He might not have even seen your message yet. YABU.

PollyBell · 02/01/2026 04:09

bridgetreilly · 02/01/2026 03:57

YABU to be worried and upset that your 27yo independent son has not replied to a trivial text while on holiday with his girlfriend.

This sums it up perfectly

bridgetreilly · 02/01/2026 03:57

YABU to be worried and upset that your 27yo independent son has not replied to a trivial text while on holiday with his girlfriend.