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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My 16yo DS and his girlfriend (Part 2)

1000 replies

workworkworkugh · 19/04/2021 13:22

Just opening a new thread as I believe the other one is getting full.
Will try and link the old one

OP posts:
Sssloou · 11/05/2021 07:44

I think that it is not helpful to see the latest developments as being so dramatic, so catastrophic, so final or so black or white as you describe. I think that tough love or cutting him off is a very dangerous approach.

All of that just plays to the invented delusional narrative of the unstable histrionic teenage girl and her enabling mother. Don’t give it the credibility or power of triggering you emotionally.

They have been rattling your cage, provoking you and exasperating you until you are done.

Step back and step up.

Step back from your initial triggered emotional reactions which inadvertently contribute directly to the drama and step up into a professionally informed emotionally strategic approach.

Your DS seems to be absorbing, mimicking and mirroring and then transferring her BDP traits - the histrionics, conflict, blaming, pushing you to abandonment - directly on to you rather than it rattling back between the two of them which is where it needs to stay to erode the relationship - but somehow you have become a their “target of blame” which is a central and mutual energy in this highly strung RS system.

Take yourself and this energy out of their RS - but DO NOT take yourself out of your DS life - instead read the book mentioned earlier and employ the detached love tactics which involves you dialling down the emotional heat - stepping out of their drama triangle and instead being cool but firm and ensuring boundaries are CALMLY and consistently enforced with usual actions and consequences.

You and your family need to be the contrast to his life with her not another version of intense emotion, scrutiny and over reaction that has him ricocheting hurt, confused and distracted between you both.

So reframe it all - you are not chasing him out of there but you are instead attracting him back with balance, peace, calm, mental space, freedom and fun.

You personally should NOT front these activities, but be responsible for planning them behind the scenes - it has to be friends, family, siblings etc who are the centre of the invites - plan simple fun things that you know he would like to join in where he isn’t the centre of attention. You are trying to bring him back to experiences of balance, light hearted fun stuff.

And he is just away for a few days - imagine like a school trip - there is absolutely no version that this is a permanent pattern or move and this will be discussed and negotiated with him in time after the emotion has died down when things are calmer. That is where the calm firm expectations of him come in.

It’s like a long game of chess. Take the emotion out of it and play it strategically with skill.

Get professional support and believe that by the end of the year all will be fine.

BlueStargazer · 11/05/2021 09:35

Fantastic advice from @Sssloou Good luck OP.

Rejoiningperson · 11/05/2021 09:35

Personally I wouldn’t let my son aged 16 go like this yet, I think 16 is young to be dropped out of parenting especially when they are experiencing a high level of manipulation. Boundaries yes, ‘letting go’? No I wouldn’t. However I think I”m in the minority and the OP seems to want a different approach which is totally their right of course.

workworkworkugh · 11/05/2021 09:43

We're not 'letting go' of him, just grey-rocking the whole situation.

His grandparents called him to see if he was ok today and he messaged us. DH asked if he would like to come home and we can work things out but he's ignored us.
We know that GF would blow up if he chose to come home so he won't.
He spoke to one of his grandparents before this happened and their opinion from what he said was that he is scared of GF and what she might do if they were to break up and he said he is 'too invested'.

He has stated he wants to leave school and so we have been trying since October to get him work experience etc to support that but he refuses to take any steps towards that, he knows she won't like it.

OP posts:
Peridot1 · 11/05/2021 10:39

Hmm. Something odd going on. @workworkworkugh has posted at 09.43 which is showing on my Threads I’m on and if you click to see all her posts but it’s not showing on the thread for me. Very strange.

Peridot1 · 11/05/2021 10:40

Ignore me. It’s there now. Very odd.

Peridot1 · 11/05/2021 10:45

I think grey rock is probably best at this stage. He is definitely terrified of her reactions and what she might do. It does make me wonder if she is holding something over him.

I think you said he won’t see a counsellor but I wonder if grandparents might be listed to if they suggested it. A safe space for him to talk to someone completely objective. If they phrased it that they know you and your Dh and too close to the situation and obviously the gf too so a third party might help him to offload.

ForwardRanger · 11/05/2021 10:52

OP you're doing so well. I know it's immensely painful but you are doing everything you can - and that is enough.

I said it before but will you consider counselling for yourself? It's amazing how having space and an impartial ear can help.
Hang in there.

VenusTiger · 11/05/2021 11:20

I simply do not understand how any of this is 'allowed' to carry on - OP, I feel so desperately sad for you and your DH - reading your updates makes me so frustated on your behalf. I understand your son is old enough to leave home etc. but my god, he's your adult-child - it just feels reading this, on the outside, that ALL the parents are enablers. I'm sorry if that's harsh, I am not placing any blame on you at all, it just seems so utterly absurd that your son IS A VICTIM of abuse and NO-ONE can save him from it.
The police are bloody USELESS!!! what the hell does it take for them to step in? a death threat which isn't serious enough? what if she hits him, will that get the police interested - it's absolutely outrageous this is. I'm so sorry for you OP.
There must be someone who can put an end to this abuse.
Have you, in all this time, suggested to the parents how they'd feel if your DS was doing all this abuse to their daughter??

Allwokedup · 11/05/2021 11:25

@workworkworkugh you sound like a really good mum. I’m so sorry that you’ve been put through the wringer. Hopefully he will see through he soon.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 11/05/2021 11:29

"The police are bloody USELESS!!! what the hell does it take for them to step in? a death threat which isn't serious enough? what if she hits him, will that get the police interested"

Doubtful. The police here are, with exceptions, still pretty misogynistic for one, and very backward in their treatment of DV situations. Even if this were the other way around, they still only respond reactively rather than proactively. I have a friend here who was throttled by her exH in front of 2 of their children, and the police still took 2 hours to come out. She survived, but when he was released, he wasn't prevented from coming back to the house. Maybe if she'd ended up hospitalised for a long time, they might have had to do a bit more, but I doubt it - they'd sooner wait til she's actually dead and then arrest him.

And then he'd get out after a few years for "good behaviour" - because they don't seem to realise that the chances of recividism in a male-only prison are next to none, whereas once they're out, the rates are pretty high.

The system is just as fucked up here as everywhere else.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 11/05/2021 11:30

*recidivism - fat fingers!

BlueVelvetStars · 11/05/2021 12:29

OP how did you get on with the Doctors, your anxiety must be high, did he suggest anything. 🌺

BettyBotter · 11/05/2021 12:35

I really don't know what people think the police would do. These are 2 teenagers who are by all accounts 'safe' and with the capacity to make their own choices. The police in the UK wouldn't be any different. The death threats wouldn't be taken seriously because they'd be seen as teenage melodrama. (Ds had a 'joke' death threat text as a teen. We reported to the police and their sum total of action was to try and ring back the texter. Not surprisingly there was no answer and no further action was taken.)

@Sssloou 's advice is excellent. Your ds may not know it right now but he needs you to be his place of stability, common sense and happiness that he knows he can return to.

Now what do you need? It's time to look after yourselves and have a break from the drama. You deserve and need kindness and love too, so do some nice things for yourselves. Keep in touch with ds in a grey rock/ non judgemental way even if he doesn't answer and let him know you love him and accept his choices. You're doing great.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 11/05/2021 13:08
Flowers
workworkworkugh · 11/05/2021 13:18

Thanks everyone. It has been so helpful for me to just get everything out here even if I don't agree with what some posters say, I'm still open to hearing it all.

The doctor was great and I have a number to call to book me (and DH) in for some counselling to help us navigate through this.

The parents sent us another msg tonight but we are not responding.

OP posts:
PopperUppleton · 11/05/2021 13:34

Excellent. Grey rock. Don't respond to the parents or the girlfriend, just to your son.

RandomMess · 11/05/2021 13:39
Thanks

I'm going through a rough time with some of my teens at the mo, it's heartbreaking and soul destroying. What We're going through is like a walk in the park in comparison.

More Thanks

BlueVelvetStars · 11/05/2021 14:01

Good.. not responding is good. 🌺🌸

Glad the Doctor was good and positive for you guys too 🌼

JamieFrasersAuntie · 11/05/2021 14:35

His grandparents called him to see if he was ok today and he messaged us. DH asked if he would like to come home and we can work things out but he's ignored us.
We know that GF would blow up if he chose to come home so he won't.
He spoke to one of his grandparents before this happened and their opinion from what he said was that he is scared of GF and what she might do if they were to break up and he said he is 'too invested"

I don't think it's helpful to view this as a hostage situation because it isn't.You've got to stop blaming gf for your sons actions because it's unhealthy and it infantilises him. Of course he can message you back if he wants to. He's ignoring you like he has many times because there has been an ongoing pattern of disrespect from him that has not been addressed. Generally he ignores you and nothing happens and you carry on being his personal taxi.

At a push he could message you from the bathroom if he wanted to, couldn't he?

Quite simply he's going to prefer being there because it sounds like there are no rules. He can probably stay up late and drink/ smoke and share a bed with his girlfriend. It's every teenagers dream.

I think you need to be prepared for requests for financial support from the parents. It's a tricky one but your decision must be made on facts and not guilt induced emotions. I foolishly provided financial support which I regret.

Whatever you decide, neither they or your son should financially profit from the situation.

I think it's really positive you didn't reply to them.

LoudestCat14 · 11/05/2021 14:44

Good to hear you and your DH are getting external support, OP. Out of interest, what did the parents message you about? I just wonder if it's dawning on them that their meddling has given them each another mouth to feed...

Toothpaste123 · 11/05/2021 15:35

Op I'm sorry you're having to go through this. The relationship sounds very similar to what my SIL has had with her now EXH. I've witnessed my MIL trying to break the pair up for over 20 years now and it's just one drama after another. Even now that they're divorced, she still gets manipulated by him and his mother. Sadly the have 2 dc in the mix.
From what I've witnessed, trying to break them up will lead them wanting to be together even more. I'm glad you've decided to detach yourself from the situation somewhat. Make sure he knows you live him and that he can always come back. But otherwise, enjoy your life with the rest of your family, and do not support him financially unless he comes back home.

Rejoiningperson · 11/05/2021 16:01

We're not 'letting go' of him, just grey-rocking the whole situation. I don’t think letting him live half or more of the time with GF is wise, that is what I meant.

deste · 11/05/2021 16:17

I would be asking the son to speak to her parents about who to send the school fees to.

SunglassesSeventy · 11/05/2021 18:12

Sorry to read all this OP, sounds like a nightmare, hope your DS sees sense eventually.

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