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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My 16yo DS and his girlfriend (and her mum)

995 replies

workworkworkugh · 26/12/2020 06:57

I'm going to write this in point form, I just want to get some other unbiased opinions on my son and his gf of 5 months.
Our point of view is that the relationship is not a healthy one.
We understand that at this age teens start to move away from the family unit but we feel this is above the realms of 'normal'

*she gets mad at him if she doesn't have his full attention.
*she gets mad at him if he hangs out with his mates, so he hasn't hung out with them for 3+ months.
*last time he did she dumped him.
*she cries if he's not at school
*she gets mad at him for playing his Xbox (and not answering her call on the first ring)
*he got a new Xbox for Xmas and she's already making noises about him playing it too much, also about his sport that he loves playing is starting up again soon and she's getting sad about that.
*he spends every single day with her, anywhere from 6-14hours
*it's like he feels guilty if he spends time with us so has to make it up to her
*he can't spend a full day with us as a family, not even Xmas day
*we invite her to our house and to things we're going to but she refuses
*at one point he didn't eat dinner with us for over two weeks as he was with her
*they send literal pages of gushing to each other every single day about how much they love each other and the kids they're going to have 😳
*her mum seems to encourage it (the intensity) which doesn't help
*the Mum, who is 50yo, has texted him (in reply to his messages) "thank you my beautiful James Arthur, you're so adorable" along with a kissy face emoji (not his real name obviously)

We're happy for him to spend time with her and don't stop him much, but it's getting to be too much. We miss him and sometimes want to see him too.
He seems to know it's not right but 'loves her', and I remember young love, we're only in our 30's, so we're happy to be flexible but it still feels very unhealthy to us.
We also don't want to alienate him.

So AIBU and how to we put some boundaries in place, because he clearly doesn't know how to!

OP posts:
BeverlyHa · 30/04/2021 17:45

gosh, thank you for the updates: many thought you are creating Romeo and Juliette story, but now she is asking your son to kill you.....oh dear. Misplaces words, God bless the girl and hopefully she will gently reprimanded and explained how this world works.

BeverlyHa · 30/04/2021 17:48

she will be gently reprimanded and explained how this world works

NoraEphronsNeck · 09/05/2021 18:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

motherofgrumpyteenager · 12/05/2021 14:22

Hi

my 13yo DD is having block orthodontic braces fitted next week, she is at the age where she is self conscious about everything...

What are the main issues with new block braces?
Anything we need to know about and how to deal with it? We've read the leaflet that the dentist provided but feel there is more that we need to know...

All advice will be appreciated!

motherofgrumpyteenager · 12/05/2021 14:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Marni83 · 05/09/2021 12:14

** she gets mad at him for playing his Xbox (and not answering her call on the first ring)
he got a new Xbox for Xmas and she's already making noises about him playing it too much*

But now he’s allowed to play them all day with his mates?

workworkworkugh · 05/09/2021 12:23

@Marni83 yes. I've seen the messages and seen my DS reaction when she's threatened to dump him for playing the Xbox with his mates.
She's admitted these things to my face.
She's "ok with it now as she's gotten used to it".
Just like she "lets him" see certain friends now, but only when she's at work and only certain friends.

OP posts:
Marni83 · 05/09/2021 12:26

So she threatened to dump him
But he carried on playing
And now she’s used to it

Correct?

Bad behaviour from her. But he was obviously fine with saying - that’s not on. I’m carrying on

Marni83 · 05/09/2021 12:26

Did you name change?

Marni83 · 05/09/2021 13:19

Sorry got confused as not highlighted

Cyberattack · 05/09/2021 13:35

Are they still together? I remember you started this thread months ago @workworkworkugh?

2bazookas · 05/09/2021 14:08

Just from experience;

Sometimes teenagers out of their depth LONG for their parents to rescue them from deep water by launching a rescue boat and "forcing" them to put on a life-jacket / get hauled on board .

Then they can tell their friend/peers

"I JUST CAN'T because my parents JUST WON'T LET me" .

DS clearly needs backup and a safety net . " Mum says no" is the excuse/ gift you have to keep on giving.

Suzanne999 · 06/12/2021 20:17

@TestingTestingWonTooFree

I wonder whether any domestic abuse charities have resources that would help? You almost need a “am I in a controlling relationship?” questionnaire.
^^ as @TestingTestingWonTooFree Says. My first thought was could you get a counsellor to explain coercive control to your son ? I think it needs a third person, unrelated to either family.
Sitchervice · 06/12/2021 22:39

I can't believe that mumsnet took down OPs other posts saying they weren't helping OP after she said that talking to people was helping her.

PigWhisperer · 06/12/2021 23:21

If you are still here @workworkworkugh I wanted you to know I've followed all your threads and I think about you a great deal and I am sure that lots of others do as well. I thought you were handling it brilliantly. I was extremely disappointed when the last thread was removed as it contained some brilliant, clear and calm advice.

Good luck to you. Keep going.

workworkworkugh · 07/12/2021 01:19

Just adding my update from today here as there have been some new comments Smile

Update:
Thought I better do an update, although it might get lost now on this thread, but I'm a bit wary of starting a new one!

DS and GF are over 🙌🏼
We've been hesitant to celebrate as we thought he would take her back, but he's started his apprenticeship and has been hanging out with his mates regularly and DS tells us it's completely over.

He's told his work mates about her and some of what happened and they've encouraged him not to take her back, his friends have as well and have been so supportive and just great mates to him considering he ditched them for 16months.

DS, while can still be slightly moody, as in normal teenage mood, has been pleasant, starting and having conversations with us, having a joke here and there, spending a little bit more time around us (watching sport with his Dad for example), it's just so so nice to have our 'normal' son back.

We were all worried that when it was over he would be a mess, completely depressed, but he seems ok.
He has been a bit low some days and I think sometimes he's not sure what to do in his down time as he was always with her but otherwise his mental health seems ok.
We've had a bit of a chat and I think he was ready for it to be over but wasn't sure how to go about it, it's like the weight of the world has been lifted from his shoulders, he just seems 'lighter', we've told him this and he agrees.
His mates and even their GF's have even told him he seems so much happier.
I think some of the weird/nasty things the GF did at the end of their relationship helped him to get over it.

We still feel a bit on watch and wait mode, wondering if she will come back in time and keeping an eye on his mental health but also trying not to bombard him, just letting him come to us.
He has reassured us that there will be no new GF for a while tho haha

But for now, we can relax and have a lovely family Xmas without drama.
Sometimes I just watch him standing there having a chat to us and I could cry, we got through it

OP posts:
BlusteringBoobies · 07/12/2021 01:27

OP I have been reading since the first thread and honestly i could also cry reading this!

Absolutely fantastic news for you all and mostly your DS. I really hope this whole experience is behind him and he grows in confidence. And just amazing news also that he still has his mates around him after it all.

I'm mid sleep regression with a toddler but your post has made the wake up worth it!!

PigWhisperer · 07/12/2021 14:03

I am SO thrilled for you! You played the long game and it worked! shedding a little tear here!

justtheonedc · 07/12/2021 14:05

Amazing news! So delighted for you

IntemperateSpirits · 07/12/2021 14:12

It's a Christmas Miracle! I hope he carries onwards and upwards.

HoardingSamphireSaurus · 07/12/2021 14:16

Oh my word!

Great news. I hope he continues to feel all the better for this!

Suzanne999 · 07/12/2021 14:51

I’m so pleased for you and your family. It sounded like a total nightmare.
Wishing you all a wonderful family Christmas ( think of us in the Northern Hemisphere’s rain and greyness ☹️ We’ll think of you in the sunshine!! 😃)

Binglebong · 07/12/2021 14:55

Wonderful news!

muddyboots · 07/12/2021 15:55

Brilliant update! I was worried this would never end (or would end with a baby or a wedding) Phew.

Maray1967 · 07/12/2021 16:15

So pleased to read this. I’ve read all your threads - have boys (well one is 21!) myself. So good to read that he seems to be coming through it ok.
I wish you a very peaceful Christmas
🎄