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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be moody about this

172 replies

HoarseMackerel · 22/04/2018 13:43

My adult son has his own place.
I brought both my children up on my own an we're close but I'm also careful to make sure I am not an annoying mother who calls and texts too much.
I pop in once a week, with him letting me know which day as he has early and late finishes and if convenient.
Sometimes, if he's not sure of his hours, I'll say to text when he knows.
Guaranteed, I won't hear from him. I used to text to remind him but stopped after a while as I felt I was chasing. We make plans for some weekends but I'm never quite sure if he will be there on time or will just generally drag his heels or try and get me to pick him up, even if it's a 20 mile round trip in the wrong direction from where we're going, even though we agreed he'd come on the train and meet at the station. It doesn't cost anymore for the forward journey for a number of destinations, so no loss to him.
Just to mention, I've done everything for my children. Helped and supported them, put them first and always say how proud I am.
My daughter was a victim of a serious crime and even though at times, I've wanted to be a panicky, over protective mother, I've gritted my teeth and made sure I have let them live their lives.
Thursday we went out for a meal (no negotiation over turning up as it was my daughter's birthday), had a lovely time.
He said he'd come over today as he knew my daughter was away but he said he would call/text before to make final plans. We had something in mind.
No call or text. I called last night. No answer. I called this morning. He eventually called me back and said he had stuff to do and I could come to him later if I wanted to. He knows I'm coming over later anyway as I'm meeting friends. So we've gone from day out to come over to me much later as you're around anyway (I'd already told him I would drop him home).
It's every single time! He messes me about, doesn't reply, doesn't answer his phone and if he does call me back, it's to mess me about some more.
His father hasn't bothered with either of the children for years and I know that they deserve better but he's got better, he's got me!
I was angry this morning at yet another let down. I went out for a walk and thought I'll see how I feel and now I feel really down and upset at this happening again.
I should probably give him a taste of his own medicine but with the dismal way his father treated him, I don't like the thought of doing this. A young adult should be able to rely on their mother but he's pushing all my buttons!

OP posts:
Blahdeblah123 · 22/04/2018 17:52

Wow. Just wow. I had some sympathy but your, imo, over reaction to posters and then annihilating pookie! Crickey. Maybe you should look a bit closer to home......

HoarseMackerel · 22/04/2018 17:58

My reply wasn't for my son though, was it?
It was for another person who yet again hasn't read what I said and then told me where I was going wrong?!
I can only presume there's a certain amount of people on here that don't want facts to get in the way of them making something up in order to use the opportunity to be horrible to someone!
I'm just giving it back.
He was fine up until about 18 months ago and I do agree that he probably does it because it's me.
Seriously, there have been some unbelievable comments on this thread.
If you haven't read it, don't try and post advice on something else that hasn't happened!
Anyway, just in case anyone else is concerned about whether I've got enough going on in my own life, I'm just off out for the fifth night this week (just in case you've missed the 5 or so times I've mentioned it before!)

OP posts:
maskingtape · 22/04/2018 18:01

To be honest it sounds like he makes plans out of duty but cancels as he'd really rather not meet every week. Can't you see it from his point of view at all?

I hope you aren't going to play the 'I've done so much for you' card for the foreseeable future. You'll lose him.

scaryteacher · 22/04/2018 18:02

pookie And you will always be there for him, so he doesn’t have to really make any effort with you You couldn't be more wrong.....my Mum is rapidly approaching 78, my Dad died at 60 and 1 week. Parents are not arounf forever, so even though your 60 year old mother annoys you now; you'll regret not spending the time with her later.

I've lived in a different country to my Mum for 13 years. We speak at least twice a day, and if she is having a bad day, she might call me up to 5 times a day. Intrusive, yes, irritating yes, but they are calls I won't get once she's dead.

Confusedbeetle · 22/04/2018 18:07

Op you seem very angry with everyone

PookieDo · 22/04/2018 18:12

DIdnt you want to know why he was doing it?
I explained how it can feel as the child. It feels dutiful. Not overly enjoyable sometimes. Perhaps the activists you do or the topics you discuss just aren’t the kind of thing a young man wants to do all the time.
I don’t want to hang out with a woman 25 years older than me, I have my own friends to hang out with.

I didn’t know if you were expecting people to take your side and not your sons, unfortunately lots of people can relate to this generational problem very well. It’s not a personal insult to you or your parenting. I appreciate you have your own life too but you describe an awful lot of ‘follow up’ emails and texts which does suggest you are way more invested in this weekly contact than he is. I also explained why he keeps making promises. I know it’s hurtful to think he’s doing it out of duty but he is a young guy, finding his way in life. He loves you and yes I’m obviously aware parents aren’t around forever but when you are 21 you do not think like that!

jamoncrumpets · 22/04/2018 18:13

OP I have read all of your posts, thoroughly. I still think YABU.

When your son initiates contact by all means go along, but don't push for times and for God's sake don't keep whole days free for him. That's batshit.

Oh and stop shouting in caps, please.

SeaWitchly · 22/04/2018 18:16

You sound quite angry tbh OP.
And yes, also passive aggressive, demanding and needy. Sorry.

Perhaps your DS finds your relationship difficult at times... and so agrees to meet up when he is more optimistic or energetic and then finds he cannot manage it in reality when he is tired or overwhelmed by other obligations.

I know you probably won't want to hear this, but have you considered counselling OP? You sound as if you may be holding a fair amount of pent up rage and disappointment. Perhaps you need a space to offload some of this and think through ways to better manage your relationship with your adult son?

Good luck Flowers

Dobbythesockelf · 22/04/2018 18:17

Are you as rude to him as you are to the posters that have replied to You?
Step back and if he wants to see you he will come to you I imagine.

HoarseMackerel · 22/04/2018 18:17

Well there's only so much you can take of the continual repetition of hobbies and interests when I've already mentioned my own situation!
I wasn't really prepared for how stupid some people are and then someone trying to justify their poor treatment of a parent was the last straw.
I was moody with my son and deciding how much to pull back without damaging our relationship.
I've never once ever said to my children anything about what I've done for them, so not sure where that has come from?!
I was just saying I was a reliable parent.
The weekly pop in for tea (1 hour max) has always been instigated by him (just in case anyone missed it the last 500 times I explained!)

OP posts:
PookieDo · 22/04/2018 18:18

people telling children to appreciate their parents while they have them really grates on me. None of us really know what people’s childhoods were like, so they cannot assume that anyone will regret not spending more time with a parent. I’m sorry for anyone who has lost a beloved parent but not all children have as close relationships, and as parents we don’t always really realise what things we may have done to/around our children to make them feel this way. Children without present fathers can often feel quite burdened with responsibility for caring for their mother/siblings - WHETHER IT IS EXPECTED OR NOT - it can happen. So when you leave home you can unfortunately experience a bit of a disassociation with this emotional responsibility and want some freedom and space.
He will change as he matures, I honestly think you should just leave him to it

PookieDo · 22/04/2018 18:20

Hoarse I am just reading (believe it or not) what you write and basing it on that.
Being moody with him is a bloody mother fucking guilt trip FFS
Really ask yourself deep inside whether you are in fact guilty of some passive aggressive guilt tripping behaviour. It’s not always a nice thing to face up to

HoarseMackerel · 22/04/2018 18:22

Omg, again! The reason I kept the day free was because he wanted to do something that took a day!!!!!
If he had turned up, why would I have said 'thanks for showing up for this day activity. However, I've only pencilled in an hour!
Surely no one here is thick enough to not differentiate between me being gob smacked by some of the stupid comments and the way I am with my son?!
He's a bright lad which is more than I can say about some!

OP posts:
kissthealderman · 22/04/2018 18:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HoarseMackerel · 22/04/2018 18:25

PookieDoo no I'm not guilty at all. Today was the first time I've got really cross. He instigated it and then can't get his shit together to get here.
It would have been a good day I'm sure.
I made a conscious decision to never be that parent despite the circumstances I mentioned before could have easily made me that parent and worse!

OP posts:
PookieDo · 22/04/2018 18:27

He’s calling you hourly and you are ignoring him and posting on here about him instead

You admit being moody with him

Your feelings are of rejection. You don’t understand why he keeps making plans and breaking them. He only saw you on Thursday and it’s now Sunday and he is busy but still invited you round his house

If you focus on all the things you have done for him, alone, this is stopping you looking at how things are now. How things could improve. What behaviours and habits you have fallen into.

Other than that you could have a confrontation with him about what an annoying sod he is, bring up how it makes you feel and try to find out why he is doing it. I don’t really advise doing that

HoarseMackerel · 22/04/2018 18:27

For balance, my daughter is here because we've arranged something that we've both looked forward to.
She gets mad with her brother too!

OP posts:
DamsonOnThisDress · 22/04/2018 18:29

So he's unreliable. Understand your frustration.

I'd say he's either busy, scatty or flaky.

I'm a bit like that - I tell people I'm busy but I'm really just a big old flake BlushGrin (although not quite as inconsiderate as your DS).

Don't arrange stuff. Or if he's arranging stuff just breezily say "OK sounds good, we'll see if we're both still free nearer the time; I know you're busy and sometimes can't make it."

Don't go out of your way to keep it free. If something else comes up just go - you haven't committed entirely to him so not letting him down and at the same time you aren't arranging your day around him only for him to let you down.

Lowering your expectations might lessen the disappointment when he flakes on you.

And if this approach means you never see him you could invite him to you, say, once a month as a semi-regular thing.

I'm sure you're very annoyed but try not to take it personally.

jamoncrumpets · 22/04/2018 18:29

Your responses are incredibly aggressive, you know. What's up with that? And what's up with all the exclamation marks?

fc301 · 22/04/2018 18:31

I've read every word you have posted OP.

You have been extremely rude, aggressive and insulting.

Why on earth did you ask for advice from a forum? Every opinion has made you more angry.

For reference I am neither thick nor stupid.

PookieDo · 22/04/2018 18:32

I thought you said he was coming round as your daughter was away, which sounded like he knew you would be alone so was making plans (maybe duty, good son) then thought, well actually it’s nice weather and I have XYZ to do today....

I get it’s annoying - constant plan breaking would annoy me but on the other hand he kind of left it as a maybe.

Just stop including him in any plans, don’t wait in for him, do your own thing and if he joins in that’s a bonus.

2andcountingtodate · 22/04/2018 18:33

Maybe you should be a bit more unavailable? If an op posts about continually being let down then the answer is to let that person make that effort and come to you. Just mentioning a meet up isnt an effort, its turning up.

If you ds does feel obligated then he will be grateful for the breathing room and if he is self absorbed and flakey then he will realise you have a life too and cant wait around. And yep, i wouldnt be keeping days free past the time. Id give him a limit of a few days before and tell him to text by then or you assume its not on. Then be unavailable if he decides last minute.

OohMavis · 22/04/2018 18:33

You're awfully angry. Calling posters that have taken the time to respond to your thread (however much you disagree with what they've taken from it) 'thick' and 'stupid' is never going to go down well.

You need to put the ball in his court for a bit. And tell him why.

fc301 · 22/04/2018 18:35

Perhaps he feels you just don't hear what he is trying to say? Just a wild guess 🤣

BeGoodAnnie · 22/04/2018 18:42

This is one of those threads where if people don't see it the way the OP does and people disagree then the OP stamps her feet and shouts and insults people, best left alone.

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