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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be so upset and raging at DS (1)?

233 replies

Crazyladee · 27/12/2018 09:56

Sorry this will probably be long but I just need to vent about my incredibly selfish 23 year old son.

For context he has always been young for his age and a bit immature. DH and I have quietly talked about the possibility there is a very mild, undiagnosed learning disability there as he tends to be very slow and socially awkward. There are other examples of this but I don't want this thread to turn into an essay.

However he has a full time job and earns an average wage.

He has recently met a girl and we advised him to take it slow as he tends to get very serious very soon and has had his fingers burned in the past. However he seems to have ignored our advice and has thrown himself into this relationship very quickly. He still lives at home and she has her own place and he has semi moved in with her all in a matter of weeks. We've spoken to him several times about having the decency to let us know if he will be home that evening and therefore wanting a meal etc which he has promised he will do but this hasn't happened. So basically the last few weeks he has come and gone as he pleases without communicating with us at all.

Christmas plans were discussed and we were told that new girlfriend was spending Xmas with her family 300 miles away so DS would be home with from Xmas eve onwards. Xmas day would be spent with the rest of the family and then afternoon onwards at my sister's as she was hosting. Boxing day we all planned to travel 2 hours away at my in laws.

For Xmas I was asked what I wanted from my boys and I asked for a particular popular board game that we could all play on Xmas day. The board game was about £15 and I sent him an Amazon link weeks ago. My other son is at college and so it was arranged that DS1 would buy it.
Xmas day morning came and no sign of DS. He sent my youngest son a text saying he had had too much to drink on Xmas eve to drive so would be staying at GF house but assured him he would come back first thing Xmas day.

Basically he ended up sheepishly turning up at 2.30pm on Xmas day. I had tried calling him but his phone was switched off. We were due to go to my sister's at 3pm so he missed all the morning traditions at home (stockings breakfast etc) He handed me a cheap bottle of prosecco and said he couldn't get the game for me as he couldn't find it..and stood in the doorway looking sheepish at DH.

When everyone had left the room, He quietly opened the envelope in his stocking containing cash (which he asked for) and left all the other presents i had bought for him under the tree.
At my sister's he had a face like a wet weekend and spoke to hardly anyone. I was so embarrassed. Meanwhile someone spotted a fb post from his gf saying something about being alone. Turns out she didn't spend Xmas day with her family after all. And so DS had spent up to 2.30pm xmas day with her.

He spent the rest of xmas day quiet and sulky while DH and I seethed.
Boxing day morning we were due to travel to my in laws but while no one else was around, he scooped up all the rest of his presents under the tree and took them to his room and opened them in his room. He took to his bedroom and locked his door saying he wasn't coming with us to my in laws. I've not had a thank you or kiss my arse off him even though I've spent at least £100 on presents on him plus the cash.

We've had to face the in laws who were all puzzled at the absence of DS and I have another pile of presents for him here from cousins who are similar age to him but thoughtfully bought him gifts.

I feel so upset that I have a 23 yr old who clearly doesn't give a shit about his family and has his priorities all messed up. It has spoiled my Xmas even though I've tried to not let it bother me. DH is raging with him too but is better at not dwelling on stuff.

Sorry this is so long but I just had to vent.

OP posts:
neveradullmoment99 · 27/12/2018 13:43

A bit harsh @Lazy.

homegrownmumma · 27/12/2018 13:43

Well that's a lovely way to talk about your possible future daughter in laws , maybe give his girlfriend a little more respect ?

neveradullmoment99 · 27/12/2018 13:44

These things are still important and significant for many many 23-year-olds.

Not for many and in my experience certainly not my sons. You may get exceptions and maybe gender may play a part I don't know.

Rachelle3211 · 27/12/2018 13:45

Why is he living at home? He has a job. It sounds like he is caught between adulthood and childhood, and needs to be forced into his independence. You are talking about his taste in women being bad, but he doesn't exactly sound like a catch at the moment. He is 23 living at home. What sort of girls do you think he's going to attract while living with you and being bad with finances. He might be immature because you allow him to be.

Fairylea · 27/12/2018 13:46

I would be very, very careful that your ds and his girlfriend don’t pick up what you really think about her. Otherwise you’ll be back here in a few years saying how they don’t let you have much of a relationship with the grandchildren and you can’t posisbly understand why.....!

Iloveacurry · 27/12/2018 13:47

He’s been incredibly rude, being late, not going to the ILs as promised. And taking his presents to his room and opening them by himself, well obviously he knows he’s been unreasonable. I’d be very angry and upset too.

lazymare · 27/12/2018 13:49

What's a bit harsh? That he should move out at 23? Or that a you d adult who has told his mother he wanted to participate in something might want to do it?

My brothers are in their 20s and our Christmas traditions are still a huge deal.

yoyo1234 · 27/12/2018 13:50

Hmmmmm I agree with other posters that OPs latest post was rather derogatory about her DS's choice in girlfriends. I hope they do not pick up on your attitude.

Confusedbeetle · 27/12/2018 13:51

Its time he moved out

abacucat · 27/12/2018 13:53

You say he is attracted to lame ducks? I don't know if this is the case, but I have noticed that people who seem to be attracted to needy people at this age, do tend to have dominating parent/s. I wonder if it is a way to ensure that you never feel dominated by your partner?

Also OP, I know it is frustrating, but young adults need to make their own mistakes. I would never have listened to relationship advice from my parents as a young adult.

Pagwatch · 27/12/2018 13:54

There’s an irony in the number of posters saying
‘Stop treating him like a teenager -he’s 23!’ and then listing shitty teenage behaviour like not sticking to plans, not telling people you’ll be late, being selfish about presents as things he should get away with.

Lots of women out there equating make maturity with being a selfish twat Confused

Crazyladee · 27/12/2018 13:58

Hairydogsfeet

Extremely harsh comment from you, thank you even though you are sat behind your keyboard with absolutely no idea what has gone on in the past relating to his past girlfriends. One of them was so toxic and vindictive she nearly cost me my job, even though we supported her, helped her financially and allowed her to move in as she had no where else to live as her family had disowned her.

And yes, I believe I am delightful thank you

OP posts:
missyB1 · 27/12/2018 14:03

I have a 23 year old ds - you have my full sympathy! He is at Uni but home for Xmas holidays, for some unknown reason he reverts back to being 15 when he comes home! It really is hard work.

Time for your ds to start thinking about moving out really. Can you afford to put his rent aside to save for a deposit for him on a rental?

calamitycake · 27/12/2018 14:07

Have you met the latest girlfriend?

Crazyladee · 27/12/2018 14:10

Yes. She has been round for dinner twice. Once for a Sunday roast with all the trimmings and once on a Saturday evening. She's also stayed over twice so he didn't have to drive her home. They've known each other for a month.

OP posts:
dorisdog · 27/12/2018 14:10

I can see why it's all been hurtful. It's hard when you're children don't stick to plans, and do inconsiderate things.

What I find uncomfortable about your posts, is the way you talk about his girlfriends. Even if he has had some disastrous relationships (who hasn't!?) it's not really ok to assume all his relationships will be like this.

I'm left wondering why you didn't tell him to invite his gf round, once you knew she was nearby and away from her family for Christmas? Seems like that would have been the normal-ish thing to do with a 23 yr old.

SassitudeandSparkle · 27/12/2018 14:14

He hasn't ditched you though - he missed Christmas morning but was with you the rest of the time apart from visiting family. He's missed a few evening meals. From what you've said on here you have it out of proportion, OP.

As a PP said, assume he's not coming home and if he does turn up he can make himself some food. These 'lame ducks' you describe are obviously giving him something if he keeps finding them - perhaps he likes the feeling of being the big protector or provider if they see him as capable.

SassitudeandSparkle · 27/12/2018 14:15

Cross post there - it's only been a month, if he'd been there every night he hasn't missed that much. Completely out of proportion, OP, sorry!

Crazyladee · 27/12/2018 14:16

Missyb1

I honestly don't know how he could afford to live on his own even if we saved up his deposit. Hes saddled with a relatively large HP car agreement that's watertight plus he has a large overdraft (racked up by ex girl friends spending sprees) not too long ago out of the blue he handed me his bank card and begged me to help him "sort out his shit" which I did but then he took control of his finances again and got into a mess.

I do agree with the posters saying he needs to move out. He has a lovely caring family and extended family and cousins all similar age who are nothing like him (unthoughtful and uncommunicative) which is another reason why I've been so upset and hurt. But maybe being away from us will make him appreciate his family?

OP posts:
Roussette · 27/12/2018 14:17

I think the OP sounds lovely. And normal. And down to earth. Some of you on here are truly odd with your assumptions.

I've heard it all now as far as 'controlling'. Son says 'Mum, what would you like for Christmas?'

Mum replies ' There is a board game that's great fun, maybe we could play it at Christmas, I'll send a link if you like...'

How controlling!

FWIW we between us bought 3 board games to play at Christmas all with accompanying Amazon links!

If this was my DS and how he behaved over Christmas, I would feel exactly the same as the OP. It's about courtesy, manners and general consideration for others. And if he had form for hooking up with GFs that take him for a ride, I'd be thinking 'oh hell, here we go again...'

I can only assume that some on here don't have adult DCs and basically don't know how difficult it is sometimes to do the right thing. Just because they're 18 you don't stop wondering and worrying.

abacucat · 27/12/2018 14:19

pagwatch Except many adult men continue to behave like selfish teenagers if they can get away with it. I would treat him like an adult with appropriate consequences. So can't tell me if you want to be home for a meal, I don't cook for you. Behave badly, I ask you to move out. Appropriate consequences still matter.

Weezol · 27/12/2018 14:19

You did nothing wrong OP. He’s 23 not sixteen. At that age, you don’t make plans for XYZ and then do whatever you like without letting anyone know, not contacting anyone and then turning up amd doing what you like.
This isn’t about apron strings it’s about him being bloody inconsiderate! He’s 23 not 3!

Exactly. If he manages to get to work on time each day, he's clearly capable of keeping to arrangements to be elsewhere as planned.

His behaviour has been, at best, inconsiderate. It shows no respect for you, your household or wider family.

It's also pretty crap towards his girlfriend. I'm sure if he'd told you she was going to be on her own you'd have either invited her along or said he should spend the day with her.

Time to sit down and talk to him fairly bluntly about his attitude towards the people around him.

abacucat · 27/12/2018 14:21

OP do you mean a deposit for a room in a shared house? He is nit mature enough to buy anywhere even if he could afford it. I would say he has to love out by Easter and if you need to, give him the deposit for a shared room in a house. He needs to grow up.

Charley50 · 27/12/2018 14:21

He's clearly going to prefer shagging his girlfriend to opening a stocking

This!! SmileGrin

Crazyladee · 27/12/2018 14:29

Thank you roussette

OP posts:
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