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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

20 year old lazy, dirty son

532 replies

PissedOff2020 · 27/07/2023 14:10

Really at my wits end. Sorry this is a lengthily one.

We have 4 boys, eldest is 20 & dropped out of Uni after the first term - well over 18 months ago now. He didn’t tell us of course, had 5 weeks off over xmas and made no attempt to look for work. When we eventually found out and asked why the hell he hadn’t been looking for work he said he ‘wanted to chill and have the xmas break’. He was 19 then.

Mu husband eventually found him a job 2 months later, as ds’s effort was non existent. Zero hours contract and all good at first. His room was a dirty,dirty hovel with a smell coming out (think plates, food, rubbish etc all over floor). Carpet ruined, walls filthy.. clothes all over floor - can’t even open door there is that much shit. Anyway, that’s been a constant cause of arguments in house - just clean it ffs! He’s just got worse with that, we are quite house proud and I resent the smell upstairs- it’s a joke. He never contributes to household chores, despite countless conversations about it. Just does the bare minimum to get by.
Faat forward to now, his zero hours is currently working out at 8 hours a week. Been like that for 3 months and he’s not bothered to look for a job. We’ve told him he needs full time job, job hunted for him, sent him linked to apply - he does nothing. He sleeps all the time and games all night, sat in his filth.
Took him abroad last month, in the hope to speak to him away from the augments at home and also let him see life outside his bedroom. He slept all day, total waste of money. When I spoke to him about it he couldn’t see any issue with staying in his hotel room all day.
Over the last 2 months he’s got even worse, doesn’t even speak to us. Literally walks in a room and ignores us - we say hello, he has headphones on and so can’t hear anything, but makes no effort to acknowledge us etc. He eats meals if we cook, otherwise lives off sandwiches and cereal.
I have had enough, it’s intolerable. Constant tension and frustration in the house over it. Spoke to him and said I felt like he was treating us like doormats and he has no gratitude for what he has and enough was enough. Told him, the atmosphere in the house with him ignoring us was awful, just made us feel like he doesn’t give a shit about us. Asked why he wasn’t applying for jobs, he shrugged his shoulders. Told him we are not working our arses off, both working full time, for him to work a day a week and sleep all day. Then do not a thing around the house and blank us in the process.
Eventually it finished in a huge row after he snarled he’d apply for jobs but we shouldn’t speak to him at all anymore. Genuinely like he was angry we expected him to work. To add, even before his hours were really slashed he’s only ever worked around 25-30 hours per week at best. He’s had it so easily but he hasn’t a single bit of appreciation. We’ve spoken to him a year ago when he said he was unhappy at work - suggested all sorts, he was going to look into things but he never did.
I just don’t know what to try next. Explained to him over and over before yesterday this is his chance to build his career, we are supporting him whilst he does that. He’s not though, he is quite happy to do nothing and wait until it’s at breaking point - which is where I am at.
Anyone been here? Any advice from any others?

OP posts:
JudgeRinderonTinder · 28/07/2023 21:16

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way2serious · 28/07/2023 21:20

Been through slightly similar and it has taken two years of a boring bar job for him to now have been accepted on a graduate scheme ( due to start in the autumn). It has been a long and stressful journey. At one point in the autumn he gave up his job so he could watch the World Cup!!! He appeared unmotivated and laid back but he eventually opened up and said he was stressed and didn’t know what to do with his life. He had finished uni and completed his degree which helped to give him access and choices.

I think lots of young men end up on courses that they don’t like / don’t lead anywhere and don’t know what they want to do. We were lucky we didn’t have too much bad attitude but his bedroom is still a mess and causes nagging. We have also made him
pay ‘rent’ and he has a car he has to run.

He has been a different person since being accept for his new job and his attitude has improved so much. I think he feels better about himself and has even agreed to come on holiday with us which he hasn’t done for a few years.

There is light at the end of the tunnel but it has been a long haul!!

Nobu · 28/07/2023 21:34

At his age I was living in rented accommodation, working full time and doing part time collevr and paying my way. He's an adult.
Either he's ill -> GP
Or
Sort himself out
Or
Ship out

itsmylife7 · 28/07/2023 21:45

Why oh why, do people assume "adhd..depression etc"
why not accept the fact some people just like living in squalor!

It doesn't bother them they don't have an issue with it....just like living in their filth.

I'd imagine he's always been "lazy " and got away with far too much,because he could.

Tough love needed OP. Easy to say but not do...I know.

porridgeisbae · 28/07/2023 21:45

He's had the chance to go to university and chosen to drop out.

@Yellowlegobrick Uni isn't something people lose chance of forever if they don't have a good year or aren't on the right course for them the first time. It's not uncommon at all for that to happen to someone and then when the time's right for them, they have another go and are really successful. That's why if people are eligible for student loan they can get it for four years if necessary.

Outliers · 28/07/2023 21:47

Time for him to pay rent and/or move out.

Taylorswiftly23 · 28/07/2023 21:47

Hibiscrubbed · 28/07/2023 21:00

Did you mean to aim that at me?

No I agree with every word you’ve written.

JudgeRinderonTinder · 28/07/2023 21:49

itsmylife7 · 28/07/2023 21:45

Why oh why, do people assume "adhd..depression etc"
why not accept the fact some people just like living in squalor!

It doesn't bother them they don't have an issue with it....just like living in their filth.

I'd imagine he's always been "lazy " and got away with far too much,because he could.

Tough love needed OP. Easy to say but not do...I know.

Maybe people have a lot of experience of what MH and neurodivergencies present like and are trying to fight this lads corner amongst the shitload of vile abuse people are throwing his way, acting like it’s easy to just change. It’s making me angry because I have lived experience of it and people are so clueless and cruel.

Mumofthreeteenagers · 28/07/2023 21:58

My 20yo is similar re dirt and crockery. But he works, gyms, socialises.
He sounds very out of sorts. Computer games 24/7 will affect his perceptions and mental health. He may think he cant get a job, his dad got that one. He needs life skills. There are places that can help him if you cant.
Dont overwhelm him with all the stuff to be sorted at once. Give him different dates for each area that needs to be sorted.
Is he nt? Does he gave an underlying/undiagnosed ND issue?
I would try and get him to the dr but thats his choice as he is an adult.

Make sure he knows you love him but be clear you dont like his current behaviour. I would make sure he knows why and that you love him. Please dont throw him out. He will end up homeless and worse, hopeless.
I would put a curfew on the wifi. I do and it helps everyone to sleep.
I really feel for you both. Your son needs you right now.

itsmylife7 · 28/07/2023 21:59

JudgeRinderonTinder · 28/07/2023 21:49

Maybe people have a lot of experience of what MH and neurodivergencies present like and are trying to fight this lads corner amongst the shitload of vile abuse people are throwing his way, acting like it’s easy to just change. It’s making me angry because I have lived experience of it and people are so clueless and cruel.

I too have lived experience.

JudgeRinderonTinder · 28/07/2023 22:00

itsmylife7 · 28/07/2023 21:59

I too have lived experience.

And it went okay for you? Congratulations. It doesn’t work out the same way for everyone, funnily enough.

Taylorswiftly23 · 28/07/2023 22:01

JudgeRinderonTinder · 28/07/2023 21:49

Maybe people have a lot of experience of what MH and neurodivergencies present like and are trying to fight this lads corner amongst the shitload of vile abuse people are throwing his way, acting like it’s easy to just change. It’s making me angry because I have lived experience of it and people are so clueless and cruel.

You’ve decided you’re the only person with lived experience whose opinion is relevant?

JudgeRinderonTinder · 28/07/2023 22:04

Taylorswiftly23 · 28/07/2023 22:01

You’ve decided you’re the only person with lived experience whose opinion is relevant?

No, I haven’t decided I’m the only person, plenty of people here have defended him. But plenty here are in their ivory towers thinking it went ok for them so no one else has an excuse. Have some empathy, not everyone deals with things the same way are has the same outcomes. Some people need more support or different kinds of support. People are proven to have poorer outcomes when their parents are too strict or give up on them. There has to be a balance.

Hibiscrubbed · 28/07/2023 22:10

JudgeRinderonTinder · 28/07/2023 21:49

Maybe people have a lot of experience of what MH and neurodivergencies present like and are trying to fight this lads corner amongst the shitload of vile abuse people are throwing his way, acting like it’s easy to just change. It’s making me angry because I have lived experience of it and people are so clueless and cruel.

Yes. I also have experience. So so many people on here. I haven’t read any ‘vile abuse’.

JudgeRinderonTinder · 28/07/2023 22:14

Hibiscrubbed · 28/07/2023 22:10

Yes. I also have experience. So so many people on here. I haven’t read any ‘vile abuse’.

I have, ‘’kick him out’’, ‘’lazy man baby’’ etc etc, loads of it. I dunno, it makes me sad for him. There is no point in this anymore as we are not going to agree so I’ll move on. I’m a woman and I’ve been through it and I’m sure many women have. So it isn’t about letting ‘’men’’ get away with it. This about a person and who happens to be a man who is struggling with things.

I’m forever grateful my parents didn’t give up on me or treated me harshly as God knows where I’d be now.

Unknownuser25 · 28/07/2023 22:19

This is a really sad situation, personally I have to disagree with majority of replies as I wouldn't not have it in me to put my child on the street no matter how they was behaving. Your son seems like he needs help, there must be something underlying that is causing this type of behaviour, he's in the prime of his life so there has to be something going on internally. Could be anything from bullying, self acceptance, to depression but surely a lad of his age to be completely lacklustre theres a root to the cause. Sounds like you've exhausted all options so perhaps ask for outside help. Could you maybe ask him to self refer to mental health therapy? If things have been tense within the family, a fresh set of eyes who he could learn to trust Could find a way to help him. Very best of luck to you and your son, it's not a great quality of life for any of you knowing it's natural to want to support your children as much as humanly possible.

Flidina · 28/07/2023 22:27

I'd be telling him to leave, no way would I tolerate this behavior, he's not a child, it's time he grew up. You've gone above and beyond trying to help him, and he doesn't appreciate it. If he wants to live his life like that, then let him... Just not under your roof.

Stomacharmeleon · 28/07/2023 22:37

Twenty fours later still being obsessional and harping on about 'vile abuse'
This thread has firmly become about you... your need to dominate the thread and the way it pans out and your 'lived experience' @JudgeRinderonTinder

silverspider05 · 28/07/2023 22:38

This sounds very much like severe depression to me. My brother did the same thing. His self esteem was so so low and his confidence would get knocked every time he applied for a job and was rejected, he would see his friends with jobs and careers and girlfriends and so on and feel left behind. He would take it out on my parents, not talk to anyone entering rooms, creating an atmosphere, get angry, sleep all day and game all night, leave plates and dirty clothes etc everywhere. He eventually with much support from my parents went to see his GP and was put on medication and saw a cognitive behavioural therapist, started volunteering and he is much happier now. He still has tough times, but he is doing so much better.

JudgeRinderonTinder · 28/07/2023 22:41

Stomacharmeleon · 28/07/2023 22:37

Twenty fours later still being obsessional and harping on about 'vile abuse'
This thread has firmly become about you... your need to dominate the thread and the way it pans out and your 'lived experience' @JudgeRinderonTinder

I haven’t been on here the whole time you know. I get notifications and find it hard to read things that are so harsh on the lad when I can empathise with him and there’s so much intolerance in the world. Is there a way to hide this thread?

TRexTara · 28/07/2023 23:44

The thing is, people like myself are saying that it sounds like the son has mental health issues. Then other people are saying that English people are too cold etc, but it's perfectly possible to have empathy for the son and let the OP know that he might be mentally struggling, without judging the OP! I spoke about my step son earlier, but when he had his psychotic break he had to go, even he understood that.

I completely understand the stress that OP is going through and she shouldn't have to live like this. It's totally understandable that she has just had enough of her son being uncommunicative and fed up with his room being the gateway to hell in her house, whilst still letting her know that the son might not be quite right in the head.

If he also refuses help, she has no option but to kick him out. I understand because of what I went through with my stepson.

TRexTara · 28/07/2023 23:46

It took three people and three days to clear up my stepsons room. People need to think, could they live with it? And for how long?

Mamanyt · 28/07/2023 23:47

It may be time to set hard and fast ruIes. "You have X amount of time to find a fuII-time job, and X amount of time to save your money and move out. If you do not, you wiII be moving out, anyway." It sounds harsh, but it aIso sounds necessary. Right now, he has no reaI incentive to do anything. Remember, you teach peopIe how to treat you. So Iong as he has everything done for him, he is unIikeIy to make a move to do for himseIf.

tidalway · 29/07/2023 00:00

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TRexTara · 29/07/2023 00:07

I think it's about giving the OP advice that is useful. Although she might be at the end of her tether.

All these arguments in the thread are understandable, but none of it is practical advice to the OP.