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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Son’s GF following him on his University year abroad, AIBU to advise against this?

375 replies

Mumwithsons · 24/08/2022 17:03

My son, 19 is on a University course which has a year abroad, it’s a great opportunity and I’m really excited for him. He’s been living at home whilst going to Uni (normal for my region) so great to be a bit more independent.

He had a girlfriend from the start of summer, who was working here as a waitress, she’s told him last month that she has a job in a restaurant in the city to where he’s going next year. I’ve helped him with finances, and he turned down the really good University accommodation last month, which had loads of social events also, for a small flat quite far from the University. I could not understand why he was adamant that he wanted a flat, but now I realise this must be to do with his girlfriend. She is also very exclusive, doesn’t like any of his friends at Uni.

He is supposed to be spending time with his family and friends in this last week, and his girlfriend was back in her home country, but she’s come down at the last minute before he leaves.

I feel really uncomfortable. I spoke to my son and he’s quite defensive. I suggested meeting up with both of them this week and might speak up about my concerns. I know it wont’ change much, but I feel sad as this all seems very much driven by the girlfriend. AIBU to speak up?

OP posts:
everywoman682 · 26/08/2022 14:18

Probably too late and you're already out meeting the gf for coffee but I really think it's a bad idea.

She may twist what you say, which could turn your ds away from you. Or she'll say say your ds is perfectly happy with her plan to go abroad too, in which case what can you say?

You're putting yourself in the middle of all this which isn't a pleasant place to be.

Mumwithsons · 26/08/2022 14:48

Yes already thinking this is a bad idea. Got to coffee shop and DS messages me to say she’s going to be 2 hours late…

OP posts:
5128gap · 26/08/2022 14:52

Mumwithsons · 26/08/2022 14:48

Yes already thinking this is a bad idea. Got to coffee shop and DS messages me to say she’s going to be 2 hours late…

Then take your opportunity to cancel.
Honestly, you've dodged a bullet here.

Justmuddlingalong · 26/08/2022 14:54

Tell him you'll just leave it then. And don't reschedule.

CuriousMama · 26/08/2022 14:57

She sounds a total controlling nightmare. I'd be gutted if it was one of my sons.

IrisVersicolor · 26/08/2022 15:13

Mumwithsons · 26/08/2022 14:48

Yes already thinking this is a bad idea. Got to coffee shop and DS messages me to say she’s going to be 2 hours late…

Go home now.

BlueSuffragette · 26/08/2022 15:20

I'd text and say shame, sorry but you can't wait that long. You've shown willing but now have a reason not to have to meet her alone. Just keep it light, maybe she can pop round with DS to your house sometime.
Ps think it's rude of her to expect you to wait 2 hours.

W0tnow · 26/08/2022 15:23

CuriousMama · 26/08/2022 14:57

She sounds a total controlling nightmare. I'd be gutted if it was one of my sons.

Me too!

you don’t get these uni years back! They were the best years of my life in many ways. The BEST!

BeanieTeen · 26/08/2022 15:49

You don’t say you’re going to be 2 hours late for coffee. You just cancel. Seriously, this girl is weird. Go home obviously.

PinkFrogss · 26/08/2022 15:57

Call me cynical but I wonder if she doesn’t actually want to meet you, she was just hoping you would say no and she would use it to try and cause issues between you and DS

Mumwithsons · 26/08/2022 15:58

I was going to cancel, but DS said she was already on her way, traffic etc, so agreed to wait. Probably the wrong thing to do but pot committed now.

OP posts:
PinkFrogss · 26/08/2022 16:00

How far is she having to travel for this coffee that it’s an over 2 hour journey!

BeanieTeen · 26/08/2022 16:05

I was going to cancel, but DS said she was already on her way, traffic etc, so agreed to wait. Probably the wrong thing to do but pot committed now.

Well no, not really, you can and still should go home. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound horrible but your DS sounds like a right pushover and I can start to see where he gets it from. You both need to establish some better personal boundaries. Some teenage girl says ‘jump’ and you both go ‘how high?’ I don’t think either of you can be helped anymore here. Good luck with it all anyway.

CuriousMama · 26/08/2022 16:10

BeanieTeen · 26/08/2022 16:05

I was going to cancel, but DS said she was already on her way, traffic etc, so agreed to wait. Probably the wrong thing to do but pot committed now.

Well no, not really, you can and still should go home. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound horrible but your DS sounds like a right pushover and I can start to see where he gets it from. You both need to establish some better personal boundaries. Some teenage girl says ‘jump’ and you both go ‘how high?’ I don’t think either of you can be helped anymore here. Good luck with it all anyway.

My thoughts too.

billy1966 · 26/08/2022 16:16

Bloody hell OP, she's running rings around you, as is your son.

Of course she is moving in with him.
I wouldn't waitbtwo hours for coffee for anyone.
What are you doing?

I really don't want to be harsh but this is a real clusterfxxk and you are being utterly passive.

This girl he doesn't know from adam is controlling you all.

This is really unbelievable and I can tell you that I can't think of a single parent who wouldn't be absolutely furious at this.

ImAvingOops · 26/08/2022 16:20

Being 2 hours late is a power play. I'd tell DS that I will contribute whatever the halls would have cost but if he wants to play house with his gf, he's going to have to finance it himself and make up the difference.

Lunabun · 26/08/2022 16:21

@ImAvingOops I also thought it seemed like a power play, mostly because unless something drastic has happened how on Earth do you accidentally end up running two hours late?! And I say that as someone not renowned for particularly good timekeeping!

yikesanotherbooboo · 26/08/2022 16:23

It probably isn't ideal unless it turns out that they are lifetime partners but you cannot say anything unless you are asked for your advice.Doing so will only have negative consequences.

somethingischasingme · 26/08/2022 16:39

30 years ago I went on my year abroad and my boyfriend joined me. He and I made brilliant friends that we are still in touch with now. He is now my dh by the way and we have 2 dc. He learned the language while we were there too. Our parents were probably not that pleased tbh at the time but they didn't say anything. Just a different point of view.

Justmuddlingalong · 26/08/2022 16:39

I think you've lost the argument with your DS about not allowing her to ride roughshod over him or take the piss.

Rodion · 26/08/2022 17:26

2 hours late and expexting you to stay is downright weird.

Is there any chance he could postpone his year abroad to next year, meaning he gets another shot at halls and the whole experience? I don't know if that would mean re-ordering the years of his course or having to take a year out but I'd say it's worth considering (assuming that a. university says yes and b. he realises how prroblematic his situation is and is open to delaying).

My experience is that universities can be pretty good at supporting students through social issues that have affected their studies and making accommodations. A controlling relationship that has impacted his ability to carry out his year abroad properly might fall under that if explained properly.

bellac11 · 26/08/2022 17:49

I think if he wasnt really into this girl as people have suggested, then it would have been the easiest excuse for him to say 'my mum wont give me the deposit for a flat, only halls of residence so we cant live together' and then just give her the brush off over time (even if it wasnt true that mum wouldnt pay for it)

But he went to the lengths OP has set out to get the flat, lying to his mum. So Im not convinced that he's just going along with it and actually wants out at all.

But in any case totally weird and over enmeshed situation. Almost like the drama is being built up and enjoyed.

5foot5 · 26/08/2022 18:07

Mumwithsons · 26/08/2022 14:48

Yes already thinking this is a bad idea. Got to coffee shop and DS messages me to say she’s going to be 2 hours late…

Cheeky madam! Who the hell thinks it is OK to be 2 hours late and expect the other person to wait for them.

Even if I was sympathetic to this person I would have gone right off by now.

IrisVersicolor · 26/08/2022 18:22

Mumwithsons · 26/08/2022 15:58

I was going to cancel, but DS said she was already on her way, traffic etc, so agreed to wait. Probably the wrong thing to do but pot committed now.

For goodness sake OP, you just say “sorry to hear she’s already left but I don’t have time to wait”.

Two hours journey, really? 🧐

Mix56 · 26/08/2022 19:09

Ridiculous being 2 hours late... I would have said, "I'm not sitting here for 2 hours, if she wanted to meet me which I was already dubious about she should have made an effort to be on time."
So what does your son think of this performance?