I'd appreciate opinions on this if possible please. Have name changed in case identifiable. Boy known well to me, just turned 16- doing National 5s (equivalent of GCSEs in Scotland). Has an older brother who is now off to uni.
The DM works and is a single parent, the father not on the scene. The DM works 9-5, and spends all evenings away from the home- with live-out boyfriend mostly. The DS 16 eating alone every evening, very demotivated with revision etc. The mother is not back until late. It is similar at the weekend, the DM engaged in various hobbies, the son spending almost all of his time outside of school alone. I believe this isn't the son's choice. The family live rurally, so the DS can't really engage in any hobbies etc with others within any walking distance/no trains/buses nearby.
The DM has voiced that she no longer sees her son as a priority and feels he should use his own time to study. Son failed prelim (mock) examinations earlier in the year however, his mother was angry about this- but didn't offer anything really in way of support.
Son is an intelligent, though now demotivated boy. He has had mental health difficulties as a younger child, though seems to have recovered from these- though is obviously at risk of things recurring again. He has voiced to me that he 'hardly ever' sees his mother. He seems happier actually when we can have him for a weekend- though obviously this isn't a long term solution.
I get a sense he feels his mother doesn't care about him.... and to be honest, I can't see much to actually counter this. She refers to her parenting days being over now.
I have voiced this to the mother before and she is very defensive- I can also hear her shouting at the DS as a result, so really don't know what to do.
AIBU to be concerned about this? Any ideas on what I could do to change the situation?