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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:
Chichimcgee · 29/07/2023 00:09

He’s an adult, tell him he has 6 months to find a job and a flat and leave.

TRexTara · 29/07/2023 00:10

What mental health support is available in her location? Will he listen to anything she has to say that might actually help him? What vocation study programs are available?

Because if he absolutely won't listen to her or cooperate then she doesn't have much choice than to kick him out.

MustWeDoThis · 29/07/2023 01:00

This is not normal behaviour.

Either something happened at University he is suppressing, and/or he's clinically depressed.

Either way, his lack of care over consequences, actions, and self respect can also be a borderline personality disorder. This isn't normal. Your son needs an intervention before it's too late. He needs to see a Doctor, ASAP.

Lovetoplan · 29/07/2023 06:14

'A tough love approach' would be insane given that he is showing clear signs of mental health difficulties. I would try to get him in to therapy but in the meantime reduce stress not increase it by putting more pressure on him.

doorstopper123 · 29/07/2023 07:19

He sounds depressed to be honest

tell him he needs to go back to uni, join the forces or get a job or he can leave.

doorstopper123 · 29/07/2023 07:21

I think id probably blitz the room now. Go in daily and clean up. I couldn’t have that smell
in my home

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 29/07/2023 07:26

Lovetoplan · 29/07/2023 06:14

'A tough love approach' would be insane given that he is showing clear signs of mental health difficulties. I would try to get him in to therapy but in the meantime reduce stress not increase it by putting more pressure on him.

Many adults have mental health problems and still manage to be clean, considerate of others and self-supporting.

readbooksdrinktea · 29/07/2023 07:33

doorstopper123 · 29/07/2023 07:21

I think id probably blitz the room now. Go in daily and clean up. I couldn’t have that smell
in my home

The only thing that will achieve is the knowledge that mum picks up after him.

Lovetoplan · 29/07/2023 07:33

And many do not. It really depends on the nature an extent of the mental health issues. Telling a person with serious mental health challenges will have zero beneficial effect and can drive them to worse situations. Professional help is required.

CantFindMyMarbles · 29/07/2023 08:18

I’d give him 2 months to change or tell him he’ll be evicted. First priority is a job

endofthelinefinally · 29/07/2023 08:27

He is addicted to gaming.
Just like any other addiction you need to remove the source of the drug (internet) and look for rehab.
You won't get any help on the NHS.
The strategies are the same as for drugs and alcohol or gambling.
There may be organisations that can help. Gaming addiction is an increasing problem.

truthhurts23 · 29/07/2023 08:39

JudgeRinderonTinder · 27/07/2023 18:21

Well I bet he is glad you’re not his mum then. A lot of this stuff resonates with me as a teen. I was severely depressed and have ADHD. Kicking someone out does absolutely no good in these circumstances. It doesn’t ‘’teach them a lesson’’ what actually happens is they end up on a downward spiral, even turning to drugs.

No happy and contented person acts like the OP’s son, some people are naturally lazy I accept, but no one chooses to live like that to that extent

Yes and that’s why they call it sink or swim,
when they start being disrespectful and not appreciating mum and dads generosity, you need to kick them out
they will either pull themselves together because they realise shits getting real or they will try to run away from their responsibilities and make things worse for themselves

what you’re saying would be correct, if the son was neurodiverse or mentally Ill,
I would agree with you, he would need to be treated and supported
but OP hasn’t mentioned any of this information, so I’m assuming that he’s just realised he doesn’t want to be in higher education and thinks he can stay at home and play games
nope , he is an adult not a child, he needs a job

Overnightoats1 · 29/07/2023 08:56

It sounds like he may have a gaming addiction and or depressed-sadly it's a lot more common and a big reason why many kids -especially boys/young men are failing /dropping out of university.. I bet if you ask him -when he was there -instead of studying he was staying up all night playing. It can affect all aspects of someone's life. He needs some help/strict boundaries and should be contributing to the household

Clumsyvolcano · 29/07/2023 08:59

truthhurts23 · 29/07/2023 08:39

Yes and that’s why they call it sink or swim,
when they start being disrespectful and not appreciating mum and dads generosity, you need to kick them out
they will either pull themselves together because they realise shits getting real or they will try to run away from their responsibilities and make things worse for themselves

what you’re saying would be correct, if the son was neurodiverse or mentally Ill,
I would agree with you, he would need to be treated and supported
but OP hasn’t mentioned any of this information, so I’m assuming that he’s just realised he doesn’t want to be in higher education and thinks he can stay at home and play games
nope , he is an adult not a child, he needs a job

The OP didn’t mention any of those things because she didn’t know about them. She asked for others advice.

He could well be neurodiverse, depressed or both. Just because he hasn’t been diagnosed yet, you can’t just ‘’assume’’ he’s lazy.

OP is thankfully going to heed advice and support him. The post screams that this is not just normal laziness.

Rosejasmine · 29/07/2023 09:32

Obviously not normal behaviour. Have you considered he might be suffering from clinical depression?

truthhurts23 · 29/07/2023 09:35

Clumsyvolcano · 29/07/2023 08:59

The OP didn’t mention any of those things because she didn’t know about them. She asked for others advice.

He could well be neurodiverse, depressed or both. Just because he hasn’t been diagnosed yet, you can’t just ‘’assume’’ he’s lazy.

OP is thankfully going to heed advice and support him. The post screams that this is not just normal laziness.

we are all assuming things based on what OP has written ,
some of what she has described could be neurodiverse behaviour but it can also just be a young man taking advantage of his parents generosity and freeloading , you can also be neurodiverse and have behaviours that negatively effect your family and friends

supporting him does not mean they should allow him to continue living there , only for him to be disrespectful to his parents and their house ,
supporting him could mean finding supported accommodation , getting him to a therapist or on some drugs

if he wants to be a boy instead of a man they should turn off the internet so he can’t play the games and stop him from taking food into his room

endofthelinefinally · 29/07/2023 09:37

As he is over 18, you may find that nobody will talk to you about helping him. You would need to get him to sign a letter of permission for you to advocate on his behalf.
Addiction goes hand in hand with depression and it can be difficult to identify which came first.
I suggest you read as much as you can about addictive personality in general and gaming addiction in particular. There may be charities or support groups that can offer advice.

Taylorswiftly23 · 29/07/2023 09:47

Clumsyvolcano · 29/07/2023 08:59

The OP didn’t mention any of those things because she didn’t know about them. She asked for others advice.

He could well be neurodiverse, depressed or both. Just because he hasn’t been diagnosed yet, you can’t just ‘’assume’’ he’s lazy.

OP is thankfully going to heed advice and support him. The post screams that this is not just normal laziness.

Have you even READ the OPs follow up posrs?

Clumsyvolcano · 29/07/2023 10:07

I have. I haven’t changed my opinion. OP said his moods are up and down and that he doesn’t speak to people/ shuts down? That’s how it is. That’s what depression is like. People still have some periods they don’t feel as bad, just that they feel hopeless and unhappy more than half of the time. She also said she had never considered ADHD but will consider/look into it. Have I missed something?

Taylorswiftly23 · 29/07/2023 10:24

Clumsyvolcano · 29/07/2023 10:07

I have. I haven’t changed my opinion. OP said his moods are up and down and that he doesn’t speak to people/ shuts down? That’s how it is. That’s what depression is like. People still have some periods they don’t feel as bad, just that they feel hopeless and unhappy more than half of the time. She also said she had never considered ADHD but will consider/look into it. Have I missed something?

The bit where you said the OP hasn’t mentioned any of those things? 🙄

Clumsyvolcano · 29/07/2023 10:28

Taylorswiftly23 · 29/07/2023 10:24

The bit where you said the OP hasn’t mentioned any of those things? 🙄

I was replying to the previous poster who was the one who said they hadn’t been mentioned. OP hadn’t mentioned depression or any ND in her opening post, and in a follow up said she had dismissed depression because he was up and down.

Why so rude and condescending?

Lovetoplan · 29/07/2023 10:29

This is not necessarily a gaming addiction. Gaming can be a very helpful safe place for neuro diverse kids to regulate. Remove that and you remove a key tool for them to manage. As this kid is obviously barely managing that would be crazy.

FuppingEll · 29/07/2023 11:14

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 29/07/2023 07:26

Many adults have mental health problems and still manage to be clean, considerate of others and self-supporting.

And lots don't. I don't understand what point you are making?

Clumsyvolcano · 29/07/2023 11:40

FuppingEll · 29/07/2023 11:14

And lots don't. I don't understand what point you are making?

The point she appears to think she’s making is that other people manage so everybody should. The lack of compassion on here is unbelievable. This is MN, there is no such thing as nuance. I’m done with people thinking they are superior. If it was that easy, no one would be mentally ill in the first place 🙄