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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH and DS have just had a fight

228 replies

OverTheHammer · 29/06/2017 21:22

Don't know what to think. DS(16) has always had a strained relationship with DH (not his dad). He's cocky, bad tempered, constantly swearing, steals off us (money, cigarettes, alcohol etc).

Last night DS was in his room playing Xbox and talking loudly on his phone ffing and blinding. I first told him to be quiet at 11pm as I was going to bed. I then had to repeatedly shout and tell him off throughout the night. 2am DH gets pissed off and storms into his room and shouts at him to be quiet. DS was more or less laughing throughout.

DH was late for work this morning as a result of getting no sleep.

DS had his graduation today and has just come in and said "sorry about last night btw, can my late sleep?". I said No because of his behaviour last night. DH then starts on at him about his behaviour last night and telling him off. DS repeatedly argued that he didn't do what DH said he'd done. It got heated, they started shouting and then DS started squaring up to DH (who was sat down at the time). DH stood up and squared back up to him telling him to stop being ridiculous. DS pushes DH, it gets more heated and they start wrestling each other, DH pushes DS onto the sofa and pins him down, DS is shouting that he's a cunt and various other names, my eldest DS comes in at this point and tries to split them up. DH by this point has taken 3 punches to the face. When DH lets him up DS punches him again in the face. He has now done a runner with his mate whilst shouting CUNT down the driveway.

How the fuck do you deal with this?? This is not the first time DS has got violent btw, he's gone for DH numerous times and DS1.

DS1 has just let it slip that while we were away DS2 came in drunk, threw up in the living room and then punched DS1 who told him to clean it up whilst also threatening him with some random "mate" he's supposedly got in prison. So fed up and feel like giving up on him.

OP posts:
ADayGivingMeHope · 29/06/2017 22:24

ARMY CADETS - can't recommend them enough.
Gets him away from spending time with the bad influence (his friends) and into something positive with highly structured discipline.

DixieNormas · 29/06/2017 22:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CloudPerson · 29/06/2017 22:25

There are options if he can no longer live with you.
Contact the police and talk to them and SS.

Autofillcontact · 29/06/2017 22:26

"Today 22:18 Gemini69

Call the Police... get him Charged... make him accept responsibility for his actions.. he will be assessed for mental health issues by a relevant personnel at the station... fast tracks the situation for getting help...

if you do not do this... his behaviour will escalate..."

Asses his mental health and fast track help?! Not likely!

becotide that's such a strange post. Of course she's not obliged to provide shelter to a 16 year old

becotide · 29/06/2017 22:26

www.lawandparents.co.uk/can-we-legally-throw-our-16-year-old-son-out.html

it is against the law to evict a person under 18 from their home

People suggesting that the OP "throw him out" are advocating child abuse. 16 is a child.

takeaweeseat · 29/06/2017 22:27

Cailleach666
Why the hell did you allow a man to come to live in your family when he has a bad relationship with your son?
I feel very sorry for your son having to endure this over the years.

Sostreesedoutrightnow
What did you expect t social services to do?? It's your son so you need to parent!!

You two ^ are a couple of pure roasters.

OverTheHammer · 29/06/2017 22:27

666 he only apologised as he wanted his mate to sleep over. He wasn't apologetic last night when he was laughing at us.

He won't do army cadets or boxing or anything else. Trust me, I've tried it all.

OP posts:
TheEmmaDilemma · 29/06/2017 22:28

Stupid question: Was it wifi he was using? Can't you pull the plug to shut him off rather than let it escalate?

becotide · 29/06/2017 22:28

Er, no it is not a strange post, it is actually true.

A 16 year old may CHOOSE to leave home, but they may not be FORCED to leave home. The OP is his mother and as such is legally obliged to provide care and shelter unless she puts him into foster care. That is not a strange post, it is the fucking law in the UK.

Frillyhorseyknickers · 29/06/2017 22:28

Also although your husband didn't hit him, he did escalate it by pushing him.

No, he told him off for his behaviour the previous evening. He's 16 years old FFS - it is not reasonable behaviour to punch someone in the face when you disagree with them.

I would pack his bags and drop him outside his dads. You need to be on the same team as your DH and DS1.

Badhairday1001 · 29/06/2017 22:29

Cailleach666

He came in to apologise because he wanted his mate to stay not because he was sorry.

Autofillcontact · 29/06/2017 22:29

But she's not evicting him. He has a father to stay with.

plominoagain · 29/06/2017 22:29

666 , in that case , give the OP your address and she can send him to you . Put up, or shut up .

DixieNormas · 29/06/2017 22:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CloudPerson · 29/06/2017 22:30

Cailleach I feel sorry as well, but honestly, mainstream opinion will nearly always be against him, the way he attacked his stepdad.
IME most children wouldn't react so explosively to being pulled up like this, most children would expect a bollocking at that age!

My son reacts exactly the same, attacking and swearing at us, so we have to handle things very differently.

Brandnewstart · 29/06/2017 22:31

He pushed him, it says so in the opening post. I don't advocate what her son did. Not acceptable at all. I was just trying to be constructive. I work with parents who face this behaviour and they found the training did help them change behaviours that escalate situations.

Autofillcontact · 29/06/2017 22:31

Sorry I think it is really strange. Who would force her to keep him at home under the circumstances? what would be the consequence to OP of asking him to leave? He has an alternative home.

Ledkr · 29/06/2017 22:31

Can you afford a private NVR therapist? I'm trained in it and it specifically targets this type of behaviour and is very effective.
It's normally around 35 pounds per hour over a ten week period.
Google for local specialists.

Evewasinnocent · 29/06/2017 22:32

I agree with @Sopie - please don't call the police! I also know from experience how tough it is with a 16 year old with ODD (and your DS sounds similar)!. Read a lot on this subject (also had educational psychologist involved by school - who took same view re ODD). I then read a lot about ODD - and we did change how we spoke / dealt with DS - it was hard going (and he is still a pain!) - but having been expelled from school and ending up at a PRU - and being incapable of 'proper' work - he is now at drama college and doing really well - he has found 'his people' - he was a flake - who knew!. In my wildest dreams I couldn't have expected things to have turned around so much in 4 years (DS is now 20). I did get read and get some helpful advice on mumsnet - for which I am really grateful - particularly from people who had real experience of a difficult teen - so not sure AIBU is the right place. Stay calm and it really will pass (I am amazed and almost impressed he even apologised tbh!)

Strictly1 · 29/06/2017 22:32

Cailleach666
So because he wanted his mate to stay and said the word sorry all should be forgotten? Don't be ridiculous.

takeaweeseat · 29/06/2017 22:32

Cailleach6668

*Your DS came into apologise and your OH continued to escalate the situation.

He had been dealt a bad hand, parents splitting up, a dead beat father , a step father who has anger issues and a mother who wants to wash her hands of him.

I feel very sorry for this lad*

Listen roaster, you're now just blantantly making up liesShock

shockthemonkey · 29/06/2017 22:33

What was your son asking for when you said he asked "can my late sleep?"? I am trying to think what you meant to type there.

666 you are crazy. Sounds like DS was asking for a favour -- we have no idea of the exact tone of his "apology" but it was surely proffered in the hopes of some kind of bargain to do with "can my late sleep?".

The DH may have pressed the matter because he could tell the apology was not genuine or was not directed at him.

I would take a hard line with DS, OP. Show some support for your DH.

Brandnewstart · 29/06/2017 22:34

*mate I would imagine

stella23 · 29/06/2017 22:34

He won't do army cadets or boxing or anything else. Trust me, I've tried it all.

Op does he have an Xbox? Wifi? What about money? Cut off all the good stuff until he pulls his weight

Pallisers · 29/06/2017 22:34

He had been dealt a bad hand, parents splitting up, a dead beat father , a step father who has anger issues and a mother who wants to wash her hands of him.

I feel very sorry for this lad.

This "lad's" older brother had exactly the same hand dealt to him - except he also has to deal with a younger brother who comes home shit faced and punches him when he asks him to clean up his own vomit. And this brother isn't violent, doesn't steal, doesn't do drugs. Amazing isn't it.

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