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DS girlfriend's mum has asked to meet up in secret

410 replies

AndOtherStories · 04/10/2021 22:52

DS is 20, GF is just turned 18. They've been seeing each other about 6 months and seem very serious. Which is OK for DS at 20 I suppose, although it does seem to have happened very quickly.

As the 17/18 yo's mum I'd have had some concerns but her parents have been very welcoming to him, he's spent much more time at her house than here, has been away with their family and has stayed overnight there.

I'm happy to meet her, I do know her a bit, our paths crossed for a while years ago and she's perfectly nice. She's at pains in her text to say nothing wrong, but she thinks we should meet as we will both be seeing a lot of them (TBH I've hardly seen DS since they've been together and I'm trying hard not to mind!).

However, she's asked me not to tell them she's contacted me. I'm not at all happy with that. Face to face I'd tell her that, but by text there's no way to say it without causing offence is there?

OP posts:
TheGrumpyGoat · 06/10/2021 13:00

For those saying just 18 and 20 are adults, there's lots of evidence that the brain doesn't fully mature until as late as 25.Many of did thoughtless things that felt absolutely right when we were 18 and 20. Some of us had concerned adults who at least tried to intervene and looking back I'm grateful that they did

I get that. But the mum can’t tell the OP that she doesn’t mind having him round, tell her own daughter that she doesn’t mind having him round and tell her daughter’s boyfriend that she doesn’t mind having him round, then expect the OP to infer that actually she does mind and she wants the OP to do something about it.

AndOtherStories · 06/10/2021 13:23

I had a nice chat with DS. He's still convinced there's no problem with him spending time there, which mum confirmed to them both again last night, after I'd spoken to them. I've said I'm just telling you how it seemed to me, but you'll have to do what you think is right. I've also tried to explain that for the sake of them both and their relationship they need time apart and separate interests, but he's not ready to hear that.

GF apparently has some drama going on that he's supporting with and that he's promised he won't tell anyone about. Not ideal, I fear there will be lots of this ahead, but respect him keeping his promise and offering support. He's promised me it's nothing that concerns him or needs the involvement of doctors!

What he did say is they're both very clear they'll be spending Christmas with their own families and he's been telling her she needs to stick it out with college.

OP posts:
SuperstarDog · 06/10/2021 13:42

GF apparently has some drama going on that he's supporting with and that he's promised he won't tell anyone about.

It’s probably that her mum is an interfering and controlling arsehole. 😬

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

AndOtherStories · 06/10/2021 13:56

@SuperstarDog

GF apparently has some drama going on that he's supporting with and that he's promised he won't tell anyone about.

It’s probably that her mum is an interfering and controlling arsehole. 😬

I don't think so this time, but they do have plenty of mother/teenage daughter fallings out.

I'm hoping to model myself on the MIL who takes a back seat but is there (and appreciated) when needed

OP posts:
SuperstarDog · 06/10/2021 14:02

I'm hoping to model myself on the MIL who takes a back seat but is there (and appreciated) when needed

Sounds good. Maybe stop having secret meetings with your sons girlfriends mum though if you’re serious about that. He was ok with it this time but might not be in the future. My son would have been pissed.

AndOtherStories · 06/10/2021 14:04

@SuperstarDog

I'm hoping to model myself on the MIL who takes a back seat but is there (and appreciated) when needed

Sounds good. Maybe stop having secret meetings with your sons girlfriends mum though if you’re serious about that. He was ok with it this time but might not be in the future. My son would have been pissed.

I didn't have a secret meeting
OP posts:
SuperstarDog · 06/10/2021 14:05

I didn't have a secret meeting

Didn’t you only tell him afterwards?

AndOtherStories · 06/10/2021 14:07

@SuperstarDog

I didn't have a secret meeting

Didn’t you only tell him afterwards?

I phoned in response to her request for a secret meeting and I told him the first opportunity I had.
OP posts:
SuperstarDog · 06/10/2021 14:10

I phoned in response to her request for a secret meeting and I told him the first opportunity I had.

I wouldn’t have spoken to her without speaking to my son first. It’s entirely up to you, but if you’re wanting to take a back seat and only be there when needed as you say, then letting your son know before would be best. He had no say in it at all. Like I say, my son would have been pissed.

mewkins · 06/10/2021 14:40

Isn't the mother just trying to say that her dd is at a crucial time in her education and so could do with some time to study etc without distractions? Although she is now an adult she is still doing her a levels so she needs time on her own. Your son may not quite understand that especially if he is made to feel welcome there. Why don't they just come to an agreement about what time is appropriate eg 3 evenings a week?

AndOtherStories · 06/10/2021 14:41

@mewkins

Isn't the mother just trying to say that her dd is at a crucial time in her education and so could do with some time to study etc without distractions? Although she is now an adult she is still doing her a levels so she needs time on her own. Your son may not quite understand that especially if he is made to feel welcome there. Why don't they just come to an agreement about what time is appropriate eg 3 evenings a week?
Maybe she is but that's not what she's saying to them
OP posts:
BubbleCoffee · 06/10/2021 14:47

Isn't the mother just trying to say that her dd is at a crucial time in her education and so could do with some time to study etc without distractions?

But in that case, why didn't she just say so?

danblack87 · 06/10/2021 14:49

It maybe that DS and GF want to live together but her mum is unsure and would rather take the safe route of offering DS to stay at hers with her daughter to see how it goes (keeping a safe close eye) ,,, perhaps she feels guilty about opening up that suggestion and wants to hear your opinion and how you would feel about that??

2bazookas · 06/10/2021 15:01

Reading between the other mum's lines, here's my guess

She thinks your DS is a nice lad but perhaps rather needy (lost his dad; anxious to please GF,. latched onto GF's dad and spending a lot of time at their house. ).

Her daughter is in college; training,maybe exams coming up, so she needs to spend less time with BF and more time studying/widening her interests/skills/ furthering her own independent future. She has big plans, travel etc; and she's very young.

I note. zero mention of DS's skills, plans, future.

I suspect Mum is worried that when DD finishes college, instead of launching off into the world, she will feel, or be, anchored by and to DS. That they are both far too young to settle. That her DD might miss the boat and be marooned on the home shore with homeloving unambitious grieving/bruised/needy DS.

So she wants them both to take a step back and give each other some space and for your son NOT to hold back her daughter next year (or whenever she leaves college)

Other |Mum has tried , in the nicest possible way, to engage your recognition and support but you are just not quite getting the message. (Understandable that you're still adrift and grieving too).

Of course your bereaved son has attached his need and affections to this kind sweet girl, and he thinks she's the love of his life. But as an experienced adult, you must know, the first little beginner romance is not the be-all and end-all. What your DS needs is to focus on his own plans for an independent future, a career, hobbies, skills; social circle and NOT put all his eggs in one basket labelled GF.

Because if he does that, then in a little while he might feel desperately hurt and abandoned when she takes off to travel, work abroad, leave him behind etc.

He's already lost one dear love and support, his dad. Don't let him risk replaying that same scenario all over again if he parts from the GF and the second fatherfigure/family he's found that their house. . Help him to separate, stand on his own feet. For his sake.

Comedycook · 06/10/2021 15:05

@2bazookas

Reading between the other mum's lines, here's my guess

She thinks your DS is a nice lad but perhaps rather needy (lost his dad; anxious to please GF,. latched onto GF's dad and spending a lot of time at their house. ).

Her daughter is in college; training,maybe exams coming up, so she needs to spend less time with BF and more time studying/widening her interests/skills/ furthering her own independent future. She has big plans, travel etc; and she's very young.

I note. zero mention of DS's skills, plans, future.

I suspect Mum is worried that when DD finishes college, instead of launching off into the world, she will feel, or be, anchored by and to DS. That they are both far too young to settle. That her DD might miss the boat and be marooned on the home shore with homeloving unambitious grieving/bruised/needy DS.

So she wants them both to take a step back and give each other some space and for your son NOT to hold back her daughter next year (or whenever she leaves college)

Other |Mum has tried , in the nicest possible way, to engage your recognition and support but you are just not quite getting the message. (Understandable that you're still adrift and grieving too).

Of course your bereaved son has attached his need and affections to this kind sweet girl, and he thinks she's the love of his life. But as an experienced adult, you must know, the first little beginner romance is not the be-all and end-all. What your DS needs is to focus on his own plans for an independent future, a career, hobbies, skills; social circle and NOT put all his eggs in one basket labelled GF.

Because if he does that, then in a little while he might feel desperately hurt and abandoned when she takes off to travel, work abroad, leave him behind etc.

He's already lost one dear love and support, his dad. Don't let him risk replaying that same scenario all over again if he parts from the GF and the second fatherfigure/family he's found that their house. . Help him to separate, stand on his own feet. For his sake.

Nailed it
mewkins · 06/10/2021 15:15

She isn't saying it to them because your DS has had an horrific year. She is trying to engage with you as another adult who sees the bigger picture.

AndOtherStories · 06/10/2021 15:25

@mewkins

She isn't saying it to them because your DS has had an horrific year. She is trying to engage with you as another adult who sees the bigger picture.
But what can she expect me to achieve when she's contradiciting anything I might say when she talks to them?

I'm confident @2bazookas is way off the mark, but either way, she needs to have the conversation with her daughter. It's not even like she's tried and DD has ignored her, it hasn't been said.

OP posts:
Fenelladepompom · 06/10/2021 15:28

If GF's mother can insist GF spend Christmas day at home, she can insist GF spend 2 days a week at home without her BF. I wonder why she hasn't done this. This is a less dramatic version of a recent thread where the DS was practically living with his GF, who had many issues, and her family. I didn't see the outcome of that one. Ended up as a nightmare for the OP.

ElizaDarcysDeeds · 06/10/2021 15:33

Do parents really interact with their DCs and other parents by trying to work out whether they get to be the 'cool' parent; the 'fun' parent or the responsible one? That all seems very immature. This thread is a real eye-opener.

NumberTheory · 06/10/2021 15:51

@2bazookas

Reading between the other mum's lines, here's my guess

She thinks your DS is a nice lad but perhaps rather needy (lost his dad; anxious to please GF,. latched onto GF's dad and spending a lot of time at their house. ).

Her daughter is in college; training,maybe exams coming up, so she needs to spend less time with BF and more time studying/widening her interests/skills/ furthering her own independent future. She has big plans, travel etc; and she's very young.

I note. zero mention of DS's skills, plans, future.

I suspect Mum is worried that when DD finishes college, instead of launching off into the world, she will feel, or be, anchored by and to DS. That they are both far too young to settle. That her DD might miss the boat and be marooned on the home shore with homeloving unambitious grieving/bruised/needy DS.

So she wants them both to take a step back and give each other some space and for your son NOT to hold back her daughter next year (or whenever she leaves college)

Other |Mum has tried , in the nicest possible way, to engage your recognition and support but you are just not quite getting the message. (Understandable that you're still adrift and grieving too).

Of course your bereaved son has attached his need and affections to this kind sweet girl, and he thinks she's the love of his life. But as an experienced adult, you must know, the first little beginner romance is not the be-all and end-all. What your DS needs is to focus on his own plans for an independent future, a career, hobbies, skills; social circle and NOT put all his eggs in one basket labelled GF.

Because if he does that, then in a little while he might feel desperately hurt and abandoned when she takes off to travel, work abroad, leave him behind etc.

He's already lost one dear love and support, his dad. Don't let him risk replaying that same scenario all over again if he parts from the GF and the second fatherfigure/family he's found that their house. . Help him to separate, stand on his own feet. For his sake.

There is a heck of a lot between the lines if this is the case and if the GF’s mum actually thinks this he actions are immature, cowardly and disrespectful towards both her own DD and OP’s DS.

Trying to manipulate two young adults’ lives by engaging with someone else to corral them but not speaking to the young adults themselves is just bad behaviour. There’s no way to make that good, even though the wanted outcome could be seen as being driven by good intentions the sense of entitlement to decide on how their lives should be without even speaking to them about it is staggering. And the cowardice in trying to duplicitously get the other mother (the one who has just lost a husband) to do all the reigning in is jaw dropping. I’m glad OP doesn’t think this is at all a likely scenario because it would be uncomfortable thinking your DS was getting involved with someone who’s mother was that awful.

Freddiefox · 06/10/2021 16:16

@AndOtherStories

I had a nice chat with DS. He's still convinced there's no problem with him spending time there, which mum confirmed to them both again last night, after I'd spoken to them. I've said I'm just telling you how it seemed to me, but you'll have to do what you think is right. I've also tried to explain that for the sake of them both and their relationship they need time apart and separate interests, but he's not ready to hear that.

GF apparently has some drama going on that he's supporting with and that he's promised he won't tell anyone about. Not ideal, I fear there will be lots of this ahead, but respect him keeping his promise and offering support. He's promised me it's nothing that concerns him or needs the involvement of doctors!

What he did say is they're both very clear they'll be spending Christmas with their own families and he's been telling her she needs to stick it out with college.

I think your handling this really well.

Don’t alienate your son by being the mouth piece of dd mum. If she needs to say something about how much time they are spending together then she can say it.

Shedbuilder · 06/10/2021 16:25

Reassure me you're not the mother of a teenage girl, will you, NumberTheory? Because if I had a DD who was doing well at 6th form and got involved with a 20-year-old with no apparent HE or training plans and was, furthermore, grieving for the loss of his father, I'd be concerned for her. No matter how lovely he was and how cool and laid back his DM was. In fact the fact that his DM is apparently so cool and laid back about a grieving young man would bother me.

Mumsnet's a strange place. People post at length about getting their kids into the right schools, going private, trying to give their kids the best start in life. Loads of women here who want high-flying, highly professional, independent lives for themselves. Loads of women (me among them) who look back and wish they'd done things differently and don't want to see others making the same old mistakes. But start talking about a mother taking an interest in her just-18-year-old DD and suddenly she's controlling and interfering and a nightmare. Even when as 2bazookas has pointed out, she's watching her child getting involved in a relationship that's unlikely to end well for innumerable reasons. That second year of 6th form is a very important one.

OP, it's easy to see what your son is getting out of this. He gets a father figure, a new family with whom to spend time and a relationship to take his mind off his sadness. It's more difficult to see what she's going to get out of it. Cut her mother some slack.

AndOtherStories · 06/10/2021 16:32

@Shedbuilder

Reassure me you're not the mother of a teenage girl, will you, NumberTheory? Because if I had a DD who was doing well at 6th form and got involved with a 20-year-old with no apparent HE or training plans and was, furthermore, grieving for the loss of his father, I'd be concerned for her. No matter how lovely he was and how cool and laid back his DM was. In fact the fact that his DM is apparently so cool and laid back about a grieving young man would bother me.

Mumsnet's a strange place. People post at length about getting their kids into the right schools, going private, trying to give their kids the best start in life. Loads of women here who want high-flying, highly professional, independent lives for themselves. Loads of women (me among them) who look back and wish they'd done things differently and don't want to see others making the same old mistakes. But start talking about a mother taking an interest in her just-18-year-old DD and suddenly she's controlling and interfering and a nightmare. Even when as 2bazookas has pointed out, she's watching her child getting involved in a relationship that's unlikely to end well for innumerable reasons. That second year of 6th form is a very important one.

OP, it's easy to see what your son is getting out of this. He gets a father figure, a new family with whom to spend time and a relationship to take his mind off his sadness. It's more difficult to see what she's going to get out of it. Cut her mother some slack.

I'm not at all saying there's no reason for concern, I just wonder what I'm supposed to to about it when she's not only not talking to her daughter, but is in fact telling her she's delighted with everything.

And I'm not sure where you've got the idea that DS is some wastrel. He's doing a degree apprenticeship with a large multinational.

Plus DS isn't looking for a father figure. He has a very involved DGD and several of DH's friends have stepped up. GF's dad has offered some practical help when he's there is all. If anything he's sticking his nose in where it's not needed, but I've tried to view it positively.

OP posts:
FrozenoutofCostco · 06/10/2021 16:51

@PersonaNonGarter

‘Hi [X] - it would be lovely to do coffee! I am slammed for the next few weeks , but if there’s something on your mind, shall I give you a call? I could ring today at [x time]?’
That's lying though? Not a great idea to begin on a lie. Just my perspective
FrozenoutofCostco · 06/10/2021 16:55

@Sn0tnose

If, as a twenty year old, my mum had been out for coffee with my boyfriend’s mum and was keeping it a secret from me at her behest, I’d have the raving hump. Could you say that you’d love to meet up with her, but you don’t feel comfortable keeping it a secret from your DS?

I don’t really understand why she wants to meet you really. They’ve only been together for six months, it’s not like they’re still young teens or they’ve just got engaged. Although I do accept I could be being unreasonable about that, as my mum has never met DH’s parents, nor the parents of any previous long term partners.

Sorry, I know this comment was a couple of days ago but I simply must ask - what in bejesus is a raving hump? Or any kind of hump? Isn't that what camels have? Genuinely perplexed