AIBU? DSS goes through what can only be described as phases of not wanting to be with us. Generally after not being the centre of attention or being mildly told off. Was at an event at the weekend, lots of kids, fun fireworks etc He ripped a can in half (out of boredom) DH told him to stop playing with it and put it in bin. Queue him laying face down on the picnic blanket not talking to anyone. DH pulled him to one side and basically told him to sort him self out. Queue the usual response of wanting to speak to his mum. He asked if he could get picked us as he wanted to go home. DH said no, but that he could call his mum in the morning. He then seemed to snap out of it and seemingly snapped out of it and enjoyed the night. Morning came and he called his mum, arranged to get picked up and won't give us an explanation why. He was due to be with us til mid week. This happens every so often that he struggles to be with us for more than 1-2 nights at a time. We have a big holiday planned, 4 weeks to the other side of the world. I am now getting nervous at it and tempted to pull the pin. If DSS won't stay with us for a couple of nights he won't cope being away. We need to go as we both have ageing parents and haven't seen them in 3 years. Any ideas on what we can do? The minute DSS isn't on centre stage he isn't interested. So he goes running back to his mum where he knows he'll get the attention. DSS is 11.