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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Teen son being secretive

31 replies

UndertheCedartree · 12/04/2021 19:38

My 13yo (almost 14) was packing yesterday as he was staying with his best friend at their caravan next week. Anyway I was helping him take his bags downstairs - there was a bag I thought he hadn't used for packing but it looked very full so I opened it to see if it had his clothes in. On opening I saw a floral pattern and in the moment thought it was an item of his sister's clothing and took it out as it shouldn't have been in there. But it turned out to be a women's dress. So I put it back in there and closed the bag. I then came downstairs and explained to my son why I'd looked in the bag and asked him pleasantly "what were all those clothes in there?'. He looked very uncomfortable and seemed to not know what to say and then said something very vague like they belong to a friend. He then went upstairs and later when I was in the room I saw he had 'hidden' the bag in his wardrobe. It wasn't well hidden - I didn't search for it - when I went to close the wardrobe doors I saw it on a shelf with a hoodie over it.

I'm really stuck on if I should do something or just leave it. Of course he is of the age where he should be given privacy. But I thought I'd brought him up to be able to tell me anything but obviously that's not the case. I just feel worried about why he is being secretive with me and if he can't talk to me about something as little as some clothes what else will he keep secret from me? He is my eldest so this is my first experience of teen behaviour and I'd appreciate some advice! Should I just leave it or try to have a chat to him about it?
YABU - just leave it
YANBU - try to have a chat about it

OP posts:
InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 12/04/2021 20:47

Leave it!! Just apologise breezily for accidentally looking through his things. For Gods sake don't make a big deal of it! Put on a big smile and tell him you're not bothered, whatever the clothes are for.

UndertheCedartree · 12/04/2021 20:51

@InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream - thank you! I definitely don't want to make a big deal of it! I have to say I am quite curious, though!

OP posts:
idontlikealdi · 12/04/2021 21:01

Oh my god just leave it.

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 12/04/2021 21:03

Well, there could be an innocent explanation. But the fact that he acted uncomfortable would point more towards some sort of experimenting ie dressing up, which, let's face it, he's probably not going to come running to you to tell you about. So I would probably err towards a big apology for embarrassing him whilst keeping it light and making it v clear you aren't worried about anything. Difficult I know. Good luck Thanks

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 12/04/2021 21:04

You may have brought him up so he can tell you anything, but its extremely unrealistic that he will tell you everything.

You didn't find drugs, its just some clothes.

Don't push the subject or he will start keeping things from you.

Daphnise · 12/04/2021 21:05

Why are mothers always looking through their teenage children's possessions? And reading letters, checking phones etc?

It was one of the best things about leaving home to not have this happening any more!

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 12/04/2021 21:09

@Daphnise

Why are mothers always looking through their teenage children's possessions? And reading letters, checking phones etc?

It was one of the best things about leaving home to not have this happening any more!

That's not fair, she wasn't snooping- it was an accident!
ItsAllBlahBlahBlah · 12/04/2021 21:14

I'd agree with PP and leave it OP but I would admit I would find it hard to not think about. My boys are only tiny (3 and 1). I have alot of toughening up to do before they are thay age!!

JesusIsAnyNameFree · 12/04/2021 21:23

Leave it. As PP said, you didn't find drugs, you found clothes. Casually say sorry you looked in his bag and tell him it will not happen again and remind him you love him lots.

If he ever wants to tell you what he does with the clothes he will, but I'm guessing most boys wouldn't really want to tell their mum they are experimenting with cross dressing (or whatever it is he does).

goodbyeyellowbrick · 13/04/2021 00:05

He probably stole it for a girl he likes or something. I doubt he's dressing up in it.

prawntoastie · 13/04/2021 00:07

Leave it he will come to you when he’s ready

UndertheCedartree · 13/04/2021 00:11

@InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream - thank you
@DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult - yes, that makes sense. I think I need to learn to let go as he is getting older. Not easy!

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 13/04/2021 00:15

@Daphnise - I'm pretty sure all mothers aren't! I'm certainly not! I just thought he might have packed clothes in that bag and we were bringing them down. I've never looked at his phone or read his letters. Not sure I'm that had he'll be moving out anytime soon. I think you're projecting!

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 13/04/2021 00:17

@ItsAllBlahBlahBlah - ah, it seems 5 min ago he was 3! It doesn't come easy to let him go even though I know I need to. All I want to do is what is best for him and sometimes it is really hard to know what that is!

OP posts:
HunkyPunk · 13/04/2021 00:19

He probably stole it for a girl he likes or something. I doubt he's dressing up in it.

Well, that'll be a relief Grin

UndertheCedartree · 13/04/2021 00:24

@JesusIsAnyNameFree - yes, I will do that. He has a couple of friends that are girls but dress as and identify as boys. He knows I have no issue with that. The dress in question would be way too big for him which makes me think it is one of his friends. But either way - he can wear what he likes and it's none of my business. I feel like I want him to know I wouldn't care if it was him or indeed a friend - he has no need to feel uncomfortable about it! But I think for now me broaching it will just make him uncomfortable. So yes, I'll just reinforce his right to privacy, let him know I'm here if he wants to talk.

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 13/04/2021 00:26

@goodbyeyellowbrick - I suppose that's a possibility! 😂

OP posts:
Shelddd · 13/04/2021 00:31

If you truly don't care then not sure why you even posted.

Personally I would be quite alarmed and wouldn't worry about being politically correct and would get to the bottom of it. Just trying to be a good person and appease the current political narrative around genders could screw up your child for life.

Ijustknowitstimetogo · 13/04/2021 00:33

He probably stole it for a girl he likes or something. I doubt he's dressing up in it.

So thief, not cross dresser then. Phew.

MissKaren83 · 13/04/2021 00:36

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

UndertheCedartree · 13/04/2021 00:51

@Shelddd - I explained in my OP what I was concerned about. My son wearing whatever he chooses is not something I care about. It's not being 'politically correct' or anything to do with 'gender'. I don't really understand - what could screw up my DC's life for good?

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 13/04/2021 00:52

@MissKaren83 - what makes you say that?

OP posts:
AnniesAmazingEyebrows · 13/04/2021 01:11

[quote UndertheCedartree]@MissKaren83 - what makes you say that?[/quote]
Ignore missKaren.

They're trolling all over the place tonight. There's a thread on night watch about them and they'll be deleted soon.

joystir59 · 13/04/2021 05:23

You found a bag full of clothes including a dress? Not class A drugs, not alcohol, but a dress? Nicer problems to have!

UndertheCedartree · 13/04/2021 09:09

@AnniesAmazingEyebrows - oh, thank you! I was worried there was something I'd missed!

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