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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To let DS live with my parents.

216 replies

Awaitingthedreamboat · 26/08/2016 14:15

To cut a long story short, we have had a lot of issues with DS1. Behavioural problems and jealousy towards his 3 younger siblings.

He is 8. The 3 little ones are under 3.
I came to a head yesterday and said to my parents I cannot emotionally or physically carry on with his behaviour, even DH is stressed.

Dad text today stating DS1 can live there Sun-Thurs and we will have him back Friday and Saturday.

I'm not sure what to do, our family will fall apart otherwise but I feel so guilty.

OP posts:
bumsexatthebingo · 26/08/2016 19:52

If you are still there op what did the professionals advise? I would imagine if there were actual concerns for the safety of the younger dc the decision would be taken out of your hands and childrens services would not allow them to all live together. Is there serious violence towards the younger dc or is it within the realms of normal? Not suggesting that any violence is acceptable but if kids were removed from homes for hitting a sibling there wouldn't be many families left together!
How is he inbetween the outbursts? Does he feel remorseful at all?
I agree with others that sending him to your parents should be an absolute last resort. I think your dh taking the dc would be preferable if there are real safeguarding concerns.

ExplodingIceberg · 26/08/2016 20:34

How far away do your parents live?
For how long are they thinking, regularly or just a week?
Do they have space, could your DH take the little ones there (or somewhere else for a bit) and leave you with your eldest? Maybe he could leave the little ones with your parents and you spend an afternoon together as a three?

Have you asked your DS what he thinks? If he were in your position (I.e. Receiving violence) what would he suggest as a solution? Does he have an outlet, like a punchbag where he is allowed to get aggression out, but any aggression anywhere else is sanctioned? Does he share a room with his siblings?

Haudyerwheesht · 26/08/2016 20:45

I don't think there'd be any coming back from this for any of you. It sounds like a very very difficult situation for you all and he sounds like a very unhappy wee boy.

Awaitingthedreamboat · 26/08/2016 21:07

It wasn't to be a long term arrangement.

The plan was to remove DS from the family home, the place he feels is a problem. To let solely him get some respite before tacking the issues (things are easier to resolve with out your angry eyes on).

DS would stay there Mon-Thurs, we would have him Fri-Sun and in this time without the week having been spent fighting and arguing, instead we would have more patience to build and refresh bonds and relationships with him, he'd hopefully gradually start to enjoy being in the family home with us.

We'd continue to add an extra day until he was rehabilitated into the family home, hopefully with new stronger relationships and some trust from him towards us.

At the moment, everyday is rolled into one big messy nightmare. We thought this would help give us all the respite and clear heads we need to move forward as a family.

OP posts:
barefootbird · 26/08/2016 21:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JellyBelli · 26/08/2016 21:11

Everyone is entitled to respite care if they look after someone difficult. It doesnt matter who provides it, relatives or an institution.
Its ridiculous to say everyone should be cared for at home by relatives.
People with dementia can't, well other behaviours can be just as challenging.

RainyDaisy · 26/08/2016 21:15

Op your last post sounds like a good one.

Fairylea · 26/08/2016 21:16

People are very judgemental on here op. If someone earning ££££ came along and sent their dc away to stay with grandparents to attend a brilliant school during the week everyone would be falling over themselves to say what a good example the parent was setting / how wonderful to have such caring grandparents / etc etc. I've seen threads like it. Yet here you are struggling away with a child who is violent to your other much younger children and you propose a 50/50 ish contact agreement with your parents and you're bashed over the head. Confused

Op as I said earlier in the thread, I would see your proposal as a very last resort BUT it isn't the end of the world if you are hoping to rebuild a relationship with him from this with the right help and interventions.

I have a son with quite severe disabilities and he is only 4. At times his behaviour is extremely difficult and challenging. I sympathise.

gonetoseeamanaboutadog · 26/08/2016 21:22

You know what, OP, what you're suggesting is not unheard of. Many, many parents need and use respite. It is a commonly used tool to keep families together.

I think you've made a mistake asking about it here, where posters are melodramatic and probably think all respite is of the devil.

Far better that your son is having respite with his grandparents than you being too depressed to care for anyone, him being with strangers, or all the other much more traumatic things that could happen.

However I do very strongly feel that if your son is this troubled, you need to be saving every penny to pay for private psychological help, including the whole family.

Lelloteddy · 26/08/2016 21:28

I think your plan is actually pretty reasonable in the circumstances.

Minisoksmakehardwork · 26/08/2016 21:28

I will come back to this later. But I have a 6yo who would be so much better as an only child. It's a hard thing to say and it's never going to happen as he has an older sister and younger twin siblings.

Stevefromstevenage · 26/08/2016 21:28

Hi OP, ignore the absolutely awful unsupportive posts. I am going to do the armchair diagnosis thing as well with the possibility of ODD/PDA. You say you are non UK are you in Ireland? There is a fantastic Facebook page for mothers of children with ASD. PM if this applies. Best of luck. Don't rule anything in or out yet you are clearly at the end of you tether. A plan that keeps you or your DH at the centre of his life will be necessary but yes respite with your parents may be necessary.

george1020 · 26/08/2016 21:29

Personally OP I don't think you should do anything until you have spoken to some kind of professional (child psychologist etc)
You really need some specialist help for you, your DH and your son!

I don't envy you it sounds horrific for you all at the moment.

Do you have any ideas why you think your son is acting out in this way?

mumeeee · 26/08/2016 21:32

OP I was going to say YABU but I've now read your last post and have changed my mind. I actually think what you are suggesting is a good thing and would help all of you

Awaitingthedreamboat · 26/08/2016 21:38

It was always for him, we love him.

The thought of him sat here in 15 years down the time wondering why his mum and dad didn't love him enough to fight for him kills me, the fact that every relationship he'll ever have will be tainted with trust issues because I've abandoned him, the hurt he'll feel when he loves his future so much and he'll ask himself 'why didn't they feel this way about me'.

Not happening, we were doing this as a last resort for him.

OP posts:
Awaitingthedreamboat · 26/08/2016 21:41

His future children*

OP posts:
LostQueen · 26/08/2016 21:41

I think what some people are forgetting is that the OPs son will not be getting any enjoyment or happiness out of the way things are. Maybe a break will be exactly what he needs to get some headspace too but at age 8 he might find it difficult to articulate.

Best of luck OP

ExplodingIceberg · 26/08/2016 21:45

Why does he feel the family home is a problem? Is he able to tell you that?

Does he have his own space?

Minisoksmakehardwork · 26/08/2016 21:52

Right, sorry to be abrupt there. Dc calls and all that.

As I was saying, ds1 (our second born) has always been a troublesome, agitated child. Right from teeny tiny. As he's got older he's moved on from screaming and tantrumming to shouting and lasting out, violently, and myself and his siblings. Dh not so much but that's usually because I'm sahm so bear the brunt.

Your plan to give your son some space from your family, but still within the wider family, is clearly one you have not reached lightly. But it does sound a good one.

You will have some space to look after yourself as well as your son's siblings. He will have plenty of time where he is the youngest child and the older ones will look after him.

But you are still sharing family life together by making it a part time in the week arrangement. It sounds like he will be elsewhere for the high pressure parts of the week - going to school, maintaining a routine which isn't always possible with little ones. And then coming together at weekends when you'll have more time and less stressed upon you as an individual.

Ds1 used to stay with his paternal grandparents one night a week every week until he started school. Unfortunately fil's ill health has also had a knock on effect to sleepovers in the holidays. But I so looked forward to that one night where I didn't have to worry about ds1 and he had 2:1 attention so was safe.

We have no diagnosis. Save he's 'a little angel at school'. But we are pursuing all avenues open to us.

You need to think what would best suit you as a family and which keeps the lines of communication open between you and ds. Having him live with family is surely the best option. I think you are doing your best in very difficult circumstances and I think you should trust in your instincts more. You know your son and family set up to know whether he will ever feel like he's been shipped out. But I truly hope your solution works for you and you all come together as a happy family together in the future.

NavyandWhite · 26/08/2016 21:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gonetoseeamanaboutadog · 26/08/2016 22:47

needs firmly addressing

Ah that word 'firmly', spoken out of the confident assumption that nothing will have been firmly until someone suggested it...

I would say clawing on for dear life would be more appropriate.

gonetoseeamanaboutadog · 26/08/2016 22:48

Also OP said upthread that she has exhausted all avenues of professiona support. So I would guess that CAMHS has occurred to her or the school.

underneaththeash · 26/08/2016 22:49

I also think it's a really bad idea. I'm not surprised that he's stressed by 3 children under 3, I've three children, but my age range is 5 years (you must all be knackered) Is he having and 1-1 time?

Would your parents consider having the three little ones for a weekend? Or could you split younger with one parent and older with other. The younger children are very unlike,y to remember this time in your life, so I think your eldest is the priority.
Whilst he needs to understand that his behaviour is completely unacceptable, he has a shorter time frame to address the issues before they present themselves as behavioural or learning issues at school.

Whilst with lots of children you can never find something they all want to do, at the same time, you can make sure that they are all entertained.

underneaththeash · 26/08/2016 22:49

BTW I have an 8 yo

foursillybeans · 26/08/2016 22:56

Had you discussed this before? It sounds alarm bells to me that your parents and you think it's ok to have a conversation about such a serious matter by text. It should be discussed in person. Your son should also be involved in some way too. He has feelings. Do they currently support you and your DH with him? If not living with them will be quite a jump.

Also this is called a private fostering arrangement and you are required to let your local council know.

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