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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:
ButchyRestingFace · 22/04/2018 18:42

Bloody hell, OP, coiled spring or what?

I'd get this thread taken down and repost when you're feeling a bit more measured. Anyone inclined to offer you advice will probably not bother for fear of getting their head snapped off at the moment.

PookieDo · 22/04/2018 18:47

I do want to help even if I am thick Grin

I would be interested to hear a recount of the actual conversation where today was agreed?

Son: ‘oh mum on Sunday, let’s all go to X!

Or did it go like:

Mum: what you up to this weekend
Son: hmm not sure yet
Mum: well me and sis are making plans do you fancy doing anything
Son: ok... like what were you thinking?
Mum: you choose!
Son: I wouldn’t mind going to X
Mum: makes plans for it all immediately
Son: well I will text you...

Schmoozer · 22/04/2018 18:55

Yabu
You sound moody ! 😮

Storminateapot · 22/04/2018 18:58

If your moods with him are anything like the way you are talking to complete strangers who are trying to respond to your question here, then I think you might have an indication as to why he is reticent to actually spend time with you.

I have read everything you have written, you are expecting us all to be mind-readers and know the ins and outs of exactly what has been done and said when you initially did not make it clear at all. You may think you did, but I'm sorry you really didn't and my first reading of this was that you were being more demanding of his time than he is able/wants to commit.

I see he is actually the instigator of plans then is flaky when it comes down to it. There could be a number of reasons for that, we can only speculate, but I suspect most people don't want to now because you are calling everyone 'thick' and 'stupid' when they try.

I do understand you are very angry with him and feeling let down but please try to calm yourself down for a rational discussion or this is just not going to be productive for you.

MrsOprah · 22/04/2018 19:02

@PookieDo
Your first two replies were spot on!

(Odd that OP saw it as a direct comparison when you were perhaps trying to add a different perspective.)

OP I sympathised, until your replies were weirdly aggressive and extremely rude!

rabbitsitter · 22/04/2018 19:03

Simple, just say (once plans are made) "I will wait for you x long and if you're not there by then I'll be out doing something else (and have another possibility planned).

If he turns up late and you're not there it will teach him a lesson to not be late and if he doesn't come at all then you haven't wasted any time.

He is an adult now and you need to treat him like one (would you continually wait for any other person who doesn't turn up?)

PookieDo · 22/04/2018 19:10

I agree with everyone saying he shouldnt be waited for but I also think at the same time it’s also valuable to really listen to people when they speak to you. Usually if you take a moment you can work out from their body language or intonation, or the words they use whether they are genuinely interested in making plans.
Also it is impossible to tell whether 18 months ago he met anyone romantically and is all infatuated with them, hence big distraction.

idontknowhowtodoit · 22/04/2018 19:14

Don't know why the OP is getting so much stick here?!!! Anyone would feel pissed off if someone kept asking them to do things together and then bailing out. It's fn RUDE!!!

DontCallMeCharlotte · 22/04/2018 19:16

I'm sorry but I've only read page 1 as my phone is taking forever to download so I realise things may have moved on. I was a bit confused by your OP but nevertheless can I suggest telling your son what you've told us?

fc301 · 22/04/2018 19:19

The OP is getting stick because she was fucking rude.
I am stunned anyone still feels motivated to offer her any advice.

KeepServingTheDrinks · 22/04/2018 19:37

OP, your hurt and pain and anger are quite palpable. As others have said, you have been very rude to other posters, who are all trying to help. I'm sorry if it's not been what you wanted, but you only get a certain amount of information from an OP, and readers need to fill in the blanks.

And, fwiw, being insulting to posters isn't going to endear you to those people who are reading your thread. There might very well be people reading who aren't going to risk incurring your wrath by posting on your thread, and that's a shame when you want help.

I don't have anything to add to what other posters have said, other than your hurt/anger are really leaping out of the screen to me, so I hope you're ok. Try and calm down a bit before you come back to posting on here. And, as one or two have suggested, maybe think about getting some counselling? Getting some professional support might really help you, if you can afford it.

I hope you get to a happier place with your son soon.

applesisapple5 · 22/04/2018 20:21

OP, many have 'misread' your post in your opinion, but go back and read it; it's not clear that your son was instigating a visit this weekend, it reads like he said he would come round because your daughter wasn't going round, i.e. your kids are used to having regular contact with you, they're NOT relying by on you for it and you're not relying on them for it either. That's fine, but it does read like it's a loose arrangement that you both sort of agreed to.

You can be as annoyed with your son, or MN, as you like, for as long a son you like, this looks like an average weekend's loose arrangement that never came to anything to me. Shame your son wasted your time.

perroy · 22/04/2018 20:30

Why not just ask him why he acts this way.
And tell him clearly you don't like it.
That's what I would do and if my son wanted to get upset
Then that would be his problem not mine

HoarseMackerel · 22/04/2018 20:44

I realised that I'd not made it clear that he had instigated it, so I went back and updated a few times to clarify.
I also made it clear that I work, go out and have other interests but obviously want to see my son too.
It's not that difficult.
He said 'what are you doing Sunday mum?' He also said 'let's go and do x' and I said ok but don't forget I'm out later so will need to be back by 6ish.
Rather than rereading my posts, why don't you go back and reread the continual repetition of points I'd already clarified over and over!
I was trying to find the balance between keeping a relationship with my son and not letting him walk all over me.
I was rude to people here based on how they couldn't see the difference between how I speak to my son and how bloody annoyed I am when people insinuate things or relate the issue to something I've already posted hasn't happened.
If you haven't read it, don't make a comment. With your own version of events.
I even had comments saying he's enjoying his new found freedom. He left home years ago. I hadn't once said he recently left home!

OP posts:
jamoncrumpets · 22/04/2018 20:45

I think you ought to leave it OP, this clearly isn't for you

PookieDo · 22/04/2018 21:22

It is impossible to judge everything from a few hundred words. It was totally unreasonable for you to behave like that even if people were getting it wrong.

Want to know why he does it - ask him. It seems a lot of contact in my own opinion, which is all any of us can provide you. If you want a more in depth discussion then talk to someone who knows both of you in real life. Us lot are only able to offer you advice, personal experience, comparisons and assumptions.

Storminateapot · 22/04/2018 21:25

Ok now you've successfully shut everyone down I'm not quite sure what you expect anyone to say now OP.

PookieDo · 22/04/2018 21:31

Picking apart everyone else’s comments is very constructive. I wish you the best of luck with your saga

OnTheRise · 22/04/2018 21:42

Mackerel, you don't seem to realise how badly you're coming across in this thread.

If I were you I'd back off. Give your children some room. And be nice to them when or if they do eventually call you.

NorthernKnickers · 22/04/2018 21:52

😮

Smurfy23 · 22/04/2018 22:01

OP I was sympathetic (having read your initial message and by virtue of not being stupid)....but then you became unnecessarily rude to posters on here. There are ways of dealing with people who haven't fully read your post or who disagree with you without resorting to name calling.

I would talk to your son. But not like youve spoken to people on here- unless you want him to get lost permanently, in which case....crack on.

applesisapple5 · 22/04/2018 22:07

i dunno PookieDo, maybe the OP is right, and it's all of us that are wrong ¯\(ツ)/¯

FASH84 · 22/04/2018 22:09

You are very aggressive and rude, no wonder he cancels on you when he can. I would. He might be instigate contact out of duty and because he doesn't want the kind of reaction you've given posters who don't say what you want them to. Time to grow up and stop throwing tantrums.

goose1964 · 22/04/2018 22:16

my eldest son only comes home for special dates and expects a good meal

fc301 · 22/04/2018 22:18

Ahh! So it's OUR fault that you were rude to us. My mistake 🤔

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