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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To disconnect DS phone?

35 replies

whateveryousay · 02/10/2016 19:16

DS started at a very prestigious (and bloody expensive) 6th Form boarding school in September. It's very relevant that this was his choice, he worked very hard to be accepted, and had to jump through many hoops to get there. DH and I were very supportive though, and rightly proud of his achievements. Also relevant that he has never boarded before.
DS has always been very close to DH and I, we've always done lots together, and have common interests, and a great relationship.
However, since he left to go to school, we have had one phone call in the first three weeks (after repeated requests for one). He also ignored nearly all text messages. I found this very upsetting, and hurtful but tried to accept he was busy, settling in etc.
He came home for a visit last weekend, and was his normal, lovely self. He's loving school, which is obviously great. I explained to him that his lack of contact was hurtful, and we agreed that he would call home once a week, on a Saturday. No phone call yesterday. And no response to text messages (which are definitely getting through). His phone contract is in my name, and I pay for it. AIBU to cut it off tomorrow, as he's not using it for the purpose I intended? ie to call his worried mother?! I can't decide whether he's just being a 'normal' 16 year old, or an ungrateful, entitled little shit? Sadly, I bet he'd soon make contact to find out why his phone was no longer working...😩

OP posts:
Nakatomi · 02/10/2016 20:00

He's 16. I know it's hard for you to handle but he's practically an adult. He can get married in Scotland if he wanted to.

In two years, he'll be at Uni. Will you be expecting a call every week then? At 16 I certainly wouldn't have been at the beck and call of my parents, I was too busy sneaking into clubs.

Your son seems completely normal and I think you're being OTT.

instantly · 02/10/2016 20:01

Him never calling you is an issue though. Is there a matron? Someone a bit fluffier you can call?

Believeitornot · 02/10/2016 20:01

Yes he's settled and enthusiastic but he can also be missing you too and not want to phone and be reminded of those feelings

LikeTheShoes · 02/10/2016 20:04

Can you set a time to call say 9 on a Sunday (likely to be less busy than a Saturday)? And get him to set a reminder on his phone?
I was at boarding school, I almost never called home, it never crossed nmy mind that my parents would want to talk to me!

RhodaBorrocks · 02/10/2016 20:13

Have you tried, as hard as it would be, backing off completely? Stop texting etc?

This is what my DM did when DSis was at uni and never called (She didn't go through it with me, I called a few times a week to catch up on family gossip in the days before FB).

DSis would usually notice fairly quickly and text to see if everything was OK? It turned out in DSis' mind the normal state of affairs was that DM would text regularly. If DM texted only worrying about not hearing from DSis, then DSis assumed everything else was OK because DM didn't have anything else to worry about.

So, DSis would only text if she was worried because she hadn't heard from DM. Could your DS be the same?

GrumpusLumpus · 02/10/2016 20:24

You've raised a great boy who has moved on to the next phase of his life. He has a lot going socially/emotionally/academically and none of it involves you. I can totally understand you being upset but let him fly. He's fine by all accounts. You can't force anyone to have more contact than they want. Threatening and bullying won't help your cause. Try not to take it personally and enjoy the time you do get with him. He will settle run and things will change but if you make this difficult for him now you may well end up with a distant relationship in a few short years when he will be completely autonomous.

Smrendell · 02/10/2016 20:28

Why can't you call him?

anyname123 · 02/10/2016 20:39

There is an app (sorry don't know name), and you can block a phone for all calls / texts / data until the person with the phone calls you IYSWIM. I'm sure he would be less 'busy' if he couldn't Facebook / text / whatever until his phone became unlocked after he'd returned your call. Little bugger!

PoppyPicklesPenguin · 02/10/2016 20:56

Bless you Smile

He's just enjoying his new wings I'm sure and is forgetting that his lovely mum is coming to terms with this.

Your post is so sweet, it's lovely to see how proud you are of this young man. Could you maybe get him to agree to just having a five minute text convo with you on a Sunday? I doubt he wants to be seen to call his mum (sure he wants to call his mum) but a text convo may be a good compromise

I called my mum loads when I first went to uni but would then go and sit in my room and cry a bit as missed her and my brother very much (pre mobiles so a tad embarrassing on the shared house phone) - it may just be that he misses you a bit too much to call when his mates are about.

It's lovely to see a proud mum thread

Nakatomi · 03/10/2016 10:29

I think the best thing is that he's settled in well. To me, I'd be more worried if he was calling you every day and sometimes multiple times and he was always responding to texts. That would mean he wasn't enjoying his time there and not joining in.

I think the silence on his end probably means he's enjoying his freedom and settling in well.

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