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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To withdraw my help / advice and leave him to it?

32 replies

Artline · 14/02/2017 14:27

I'm frustrated with my DB. He's nearly 40 and to be very honest has appeared never to be able to cut the apron strings.

He lived at home with DP's until about 2 years ago. Every GF he's had has run a mile as soon as they realise he's never going to commit etc. He's always had a good paying job (manual worker) and has always 'talked' about buying a place of his own but never has, preferring to spend his money on his hobbies and cars and himself. Always finding an excuse as to why its not the right time to buy.

2 years ago when my DM died he moved out to live with his GF - all very well but the situation there wasn't your run of the mill - she was unable to work due to illness, owned her own home and had two teenage children so wouldnt 'come off' benefits until he moved in properly, wanting him to 'keep' the househould etc. Instead he would hand over a couple of hundred pounds a month (nothing like he would pay if he had his own place) This, over the past two years has caused nothing but arguing between the two of them - his lack of commitment and his reluctance to step up and be the provider in the family. Ive spoken to him about it and told him he needs to either step up or get out 100's of times before the benefits people catch up with him.

So, things have now come to a head and she's kicked him out - not for the first time - he always goes back after a few weeks as she starts nagging him to go back and he realises he's onto a good thing and so the cycle repeats itself. He's had to go back and live with my father at the moment but he's not really welcome there as my father now has a new partner.

This time I was hoping he'd cut free (lots of other EA stuff goes on between them but they seem to enable one another - she likes the company and money for a few weeks then the rows start up again) and he could get a place of his own once and for all. First few days he was keen, firstly to rent, then all the excuses started about why he didn't want to rent, ok so I said go and see about a mortgage (he has savings for a deposit) and now the excuses have started again. How it was SO difficult for him, that its hard as hes been used to having everything done for him, food, washing etc and how difficult it is to be living out of bags in my fathers. He says Its all up in the air at the moment etc - just buying himself time not to have to make a decision.

Ok, RENT I say - nice and quick, you can get in a place quite soon, it'll help you get used to the idea of being on your own - no thats not happening, its a waste of money. Dither, dither, dither. Not making any moves to go and get a mortgage in principle either, just laying on his bed in my fathers and refusing to actually make a move on anything.

I have actually suspected he's biding his time to see if the GF will take him back again, part of me thinks he's just selfish and unwilling to take responsibility on the other hand I'm beginning to wonder if he's suffering from some kind of anxiety - he's always been the same has never been able to cope with sorting anything out himself running either to me or my father for everything.

My patience is wearing thin now though, its time he stood on his own too feet - do I need to step back and let him get on with it - I suspect he wants that as then he can take the easy option and go back to her (which I think would be a mistake) or should I keep trying to get him to see sense and bite the bullet and sort himself out once and for all.

OP posts:
MammaTJ · 14/02/2017 16:23

he needs to either step up or get out 100's of times before the benefits people catch up with him.

Well, it won't be him they catch up with, it will be her, as it is her that is claiming benefits when he lives with her! The fact that she has to because he is being financially abusive when there (yes, that is what he is being, by refusing to support them properly while living with her) will not wash and she would get the book well and truly thrown at her!

What is your relationship like with her. Could you suggest she gets help to stay out of this abusive relationship?

As for him, let him get on with it. Your Dad and his DP can make him as uncomfortable as they wish and he can either put up with it or grow a pair and move out.

WhereYouLeftIt · 14/02/2017 17:10

" the excuses have started again. How it was SO difficult for him, that its hard as hes been used to having everything done for him, food, washing etc"
I'd have struggled to have not told him to grow the fuck up when he said that. Sheesh. And do you really think that sounds like anxiety? Really? You're just trying to find an excuse for it because it's hard to admit that someone we love is an arse. But I'd personally say the odds are in favour of arse rather than anxious.

I'd back off and stop giving him advice. What's the point, he's not taking it, is he? I've said this many a time here - 'If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got'. What you have done to date has not made a blind bit of difference, so stop doing it. I'd start asking questions instead. 'So brother dearest, you're 40 now. Where do you see yourself at 50, or 60, or 70? Do you want to live like this forever?'

AnyFucker · 14/02/2017 17:16

God, why are you engaging with this shit

Do you need a hobby or something?

unfortunateevents · 14/02/2017 17:16

You and your parents have spent 40 years clucking over him and this is the result. It really hasn't helped him at all has it? Unfortunately, the time for stepping back and letting him be a grown-up was probably about 20 years ago. I can understand why you now feel guiltier about withdrawing and leaving someone who should have been independent years ago to fend for themselves without any proper emotional or practical resources built up. However, it is going to have to happen sooner or later. What will he be like when your father dies and you are not in a position to help him, if you allow this to continue?

Thattimeofyearagain · 14/02/2017 17:42

Not anxiety ( I have GAD myself) more like a reflex to wait until someone else fixes things for him. AKA not being a grown-up.

expatinscotland · 15/02/2017 13:06

He has anxiety, my arse! He's a lazy entitled twit and you're still enabling it.

TitaniasCloset · 15/02/2017 13:14

I feel really sorry for the GF. As mamma said it will be her who gets the book thrown at her if it all goes tits up.

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