AIBU All hell broke loose over UCAT

Lots of great comments here already echoing my thoughts so I will just add one point that I don't think has been made yet.

My YP sat UCAT last year and we've booked a just-in-case UCAT for this year as well in case they need to reapply.

Bookings opened a few weeks back and the most popular dates are likely to have gone. Also there is not a free choice - you don't get all dates at all locations. Are the dates that are being "fought over" even both available?

DS should be allowed to book the date of his choosing. Let him get it booked asap so he can focus on the prep for this hideous exam. Be tolerant and forgiving of his behaviour over the coming weeks.

It would be interesting if the op had replaced astrology with any of the major religions and see if the replies disrespecting his dad's beliefs were the same,

To me, it's all woo-woo astrological nonsense ( two major religions revolve around the lunar calendar) and some quite tall tales of giants and flying horses, but it seems less popular to disrespect them on Mumsnet!

You could counter that by saying why can’t dh indulge his son in booking the test one day later, even if he feels it’s not such a good day.

Also, dh tried to pressurise his son, and then refuse to pay for the test on the later day. No wonder ds blew up and reacted.

It's not just a harmless suggestion, it is undermining your son. If he has to take the test when the stars are aligned that suggests your DH thinks he isn't good enough to pass. Then if he does pass your DH takes all the credit for getting the date right, as opposed to your son for his achievement and hard work.

Your poor son.

I predict a future where he moves out as soon as he gets a full time job and rarely visits from that point on. Your husband sounds awful.

Astrology is bullshit - when you’re right you’re right.

Wtf?

Well, anyone who believes in astrology to that extent is a bit thick themselves really aren’t they so I suspect there’s some jealousy there on the part of the husband.

As for refusing to pay for a test based on make believe the man is a twat of the highest order and I’m not surprised that OP’s DS wants them to have nothing to do with something which is actually real as opposed to bollocks written in the stars.

I mean it’s all a bit embarrassing isn’t it? Imagine having to admit to people that you have a father like that.

Ha ha. If this is true, which I highly doubt, this isn't going the way the OP wants and I doubt she will return.

The schools broke up round here last week.

He’s 17. What do you expect?

The difference is that patients’ opinions and beliefs won’t personally impact him.

Great thread OP🙄

Give him a break for goodness sake!

The UCAT is a really difficult test to pass at a level to get offers for Medicine. He will have e had to have been working so hard to get himself to a level he deems that he feels ready for the test. At 17 he will be putting so much pressure on himself to get excellent A level grades and pass this test.

Tbh, being the mother of a registrar, I would be supporting him in his decision for the test
date of his choosing. He has decided that is the date he is confident with and as he is the one taking the test it all falls on him. I would also be talking any young person out of doing Medicine. It is shit street and not getting any better. My son wishes he had followed his other career choice but has invested too
much time and effort in to this now to change. He cares for his patients but at one point do we realise we need CEO’s of hospitals and a Health Secretary that is actually medically trained to understand.

i wish your son the best of luck for his test
and hope he smashes it!

Your poor son. I bet this is just the latest in an entire lifetime of things being dominated by your husband’s beliefs and this is the last straw. I’m as woo as they come and even I think you and your husband are completely unfair and unreasonable here.

Let him book the day he wants. And if you’re going to hold “being grateful for everything we’ve done” over him, don’t be surprised if your relationship with your son deteriorates sharply once he has some freedom. Your support is a like a gift - but it should come with ribbons, not strings.

I have a couple of colleagues who believe that stuff and I keep out of their conversations as I think its nonsense. If they interfered with my life decisions I'd be upset though and initially say "no" and expect them to respect me. Your son has had enough of a lifetime of interference with it and has snapped at long last. You never listened or respected to his decision, do you? He is on the crux of adulthood, let him make his own decisions about his future. DH is in the wrong to insist on a particular date.

Load of rubbish.

I can't imagine have an intelligent, motivated son like that and putting barriers that are indeed bullshit in his way.

Poor kid. He will presumably be off and not looking back as soon as he can

Give him a break poor lad. He’s 17 and naturally stressed.

Do you believe in astrology OP? Must be hard to live with someone who relies on such guidance.
Good on your son for sticking up for himself.

Lots of things are bullshit, like religion for example. However, as a doctor you must respect individual's beliefs, regardless of your own knowledge or opinions.

He's young, so he'll learn, but this is a bit of a litmus test for him.

But he'll be able to make his own choices for himself.
If patient x doesn't have a vaccination, doesn't mean you can't.
Dad refusing to pay for test unless teen chooses certain date is very controlling.

This is his future, hes under lots of pressure, hes 17, probably has had a lifetime of dad's beliefs, no wonder hes flipped.

Not read all the comments but I can undertand him losing his temper with your dh but that was quite ungrateful what he said and I would be hurt too. So YANBU imho.

To make it fairer for state school kids. It is. Sort of, as long as they know how important it is.

And he is demonstrating a solid understanding of this right. Unfortunately his dad is not. He isn’t currently treating patients so nothing about this scenario shows his ability to understand patients right of self determination.