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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be getting irate at friends with adult DC who do not work?

676 replies

goldenteapot · 17/03/2026 09:39

My DC are in their mid-late 20s and all in work - but are the exception among family and friends. They have around 12 cousins - none of whom have ever worked in so much as a local pub or shop, and all live in their parents' naice houses gaming all day. Lots have one or two degrees, so are not stupid by any means! I think statistically about 50% of young adults of this age that are not working - but among my family and friends it's very much higher.

It's a similar story with friends: every adult child is depressed or anxious and/or autistic so cannot work. The assumption seems to be that the jobs market is too difficult and their children can't cope. Conversation when we meet is all about how frustrated everyone is because they can't get their DC to work or do anything around the house.

I just want to shake them all! They are providing no tough love or reasons that these children will ever work and live independently.

AIBU to be losing my patience with everyone, or am I a bit of a bitch and working life really is too tough these days for young people?

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sesquipedalian · 17/03/2026 09:44

It depends on the actual circumstances. If the parents are letting them bun around and claim benefits, then you’re not being unreasonable. If the parents are tearing their hair and trying everything ti encourage their reluctant offspring to get a job, then perhaps you are. One of my DC stayed at home in their twenties: had a “nothing” job that they gave up, and then got stuck doing nothing much and I was in utter despair. Eventually, however, they pulled themselves together and are now living their own life, having trained and qualified for something they would earlier have dismissed out of hand. So it’s not always parents just “letting” their DC do nothing at home.

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