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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Not coping with adult child being back home

164 replies

movienights · 10/05/2024 10:51

Ds has moved back home after 3 years living with his ex.
He's 25 and he does absolutely nothing around the house or garden, if he's asked to do something he'll do such a poor job that it will need doing again, he can't wash up properly and leaves frying pans and pots grease stained and dirty so dh or I have now said leave the washing up so we can do it properly, the washing up he accumulates is only his packed lunch he cooks salmon or chops to take and rice or potatoes late at night so we have to wake up and clean up.
I cook his main meal with the family which I'm happy to do as I would anyway and one more portion is nothing.
He has all his washing done for him because he's so heavy handed with the buttons and broke the last machine, he peels his clothes off and puts them in the laundry basket inside out, even socks, he treads down so hard on the pedal bin we're on about our 3rd this year, he's broken the front and back door and his bedroom door just by being heavy handed yanking the handle, he leaves the bathroom soaked through every day and his towel on the floor because no amount of asking him to open window sinks in, he leaves black marks all over the house from his dirty hands, (he works in a filthy factory) it cleans off but is extra work, he makes so much mess and work for me and does nothing, or puts such little effort into reluctantly doing what's asked that I have to do it again anyway.
He has no life outside of work, no friends and no hobbies never leaves the house which he seems happy with, he works the same hours as us so is in his room all night every night a thin wall away so our sex life has nose dived.

He's now informed us he's going to go back to college and then do an apprenticeship after, which I admire anyone who wants to better themselves but this just screams I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.
He lies to us constantly, he's also very unsociable and keeps his life very private so even having a conversation or exchanging pleasantries is awkward because he doesn't like questions so even how was your day is a one word answer so not to give anything away.
I make allowances for him because he is possibly autistic or has ADHD but refuses to get assessed as he feels he's just the way he is and doesn't want a diagnosis or medication.

I am I constantly arguing with dh about something else he's done because dh moans to me as ds won't be spoken to about anything, it's like living with a teenager who just storms off at the first sign of criticism or he'll shout and argue back and then nothing changes except the atmosphere.

I feel completely snowed under with the situation, our marriage is at breaking point and there's nothing I can do about it because he's likely going to be here for the foreseeable future if not forever.

OP posts:
Codlingmoths · 19/05/2024 14:48

I think it’s time he goes and finds some new flatmates to impress with his domestic skills, you did have a go.
’<son> you don’t seem to want to live with us , since you have been pretty angry about our every suggestion that you participate like an adult in our home. You say we can’t text us, you don’t know how to wash a dish and get mad at us when we point that out, and you screw up a load of washing. I can only imagine intentionally as I know you are capable of these tasks. This isn’t working. You’ll need to move out, I think we will all like each other better once you live somewhere else.

Beautiful3 · 19/05/2024 14:53

He needs to go.

rainbowxlight · 19/05/2024 14:55

movienights · 19/05/2024 14:14

I've also sent him a text because I'm unable to get anything from him and he didn't respond but when I saw him he said I'm not going to have texts like that.
Dh has put the washing machine on the right setting and added detergent and it's finished but there's a pen in there and either tissue or paper that was in his pocket and it's made everything fluffy, all he can say is well I didn't know it was in there.
It's hopeless, he can't be bothered with it and just walks off.
I was in the garden pulling some weeds and ivy he came out to ask me something grabs some ivy from the fence and yanks it pulling part of the fence down before tutting and saying everything I touch goes wrong.
This is why everything is done for him because we want a nice home.

Honestly, he sounds depressed.

Eggplant44 · 19/05/2024 15:10

rainbowxlight · 19/05/2024 14:55

Honestly, he sounds depressed.

No, he sounds like an asshole.

rainbowxlight · 19/05/2024 15:12

Eggplant44 · 19/05/2024 15:10

No, he sounds like an asshole.

Depression can lead to some real asshole-y behaviours. I'm no expert though. Sounds like the family need to haya serious discussion in any case

WannabeMathematician · 19/05/2024 15:16

rainbowxlight · 19/05/2024 14:55

Honestly, he sounds depressed.

So? I really would like a break down of the practical steps OP is supposed to do in this situation. OP shouldn’t have to set herself on fire to keep her son warm. He’s an adult, you can’t make adults go to the doctors, you can’t hide meds in his food and it already sounds like OP has given a lot of slack to her son so there isn’t anymore to give.

WhereYouLeftIt · 19/05/2024 15:20

He needs to go. You know that. Now put it into words, and TELL him!

rainbowxlight · 20/05/2024 14:25

WannabeMathematician · 19/05/2024 15:16

So? I really would like a break down of the practical steps OP is supposed to do in this situation. OP shouldn’t have to set herself on fire to keep her son warm. He’s an adult, you can’t make adults go to the doctors, you can’t hide meds in his food and it already sounds like OP has given a lot of slack to her son so there isn’t anymore to give.

I'm not suggesting that nothing be done. I'm just offering an additional perspective. The guy is clearly suffering (and causing suffering) and it sounds like he's reverted back to being a 12-year-old, which can sometimes happen when we are around our parents. I doubt OP wants to completely ruin her relationship with her son by forcibly kicking him out. She's still the more experienced adult in the equation.

OP, I think instead of a piecemeal, reactive approach, you and your husband have to schedule in some kind of structured discussion with your son to 1) Find out what's going on with him 2) express the negative impact it's having and 3) Set some very clear boundaries and expectations (including "You can stay here for X amount of time, then you need to find a flatshare" or whatever).

WiddlinDiddlin · 20/05/2024 16:16

Make him pay for, repair or clean up every. single. thing. he damages/mucks up/trashes.

Every time.

If he doesn't like it, if he's unpleasant about it, tell him to piss off and move out.

This has nothing to do with AuDHD, and everything to do with being an inconsiderate arsehole.

Therealjudgejudy · 20/05/2024 16:24

Good grief woman, stop being such a mug and kick him out already!

Hartleyjr · 01/08/2024 15:18

Straycats · 10/05/2024 14:43

Well am sorry to say you both failed spectacularly as parents, he should have been helping to clean up as a child to also help around the house. I had three daughters then a son, ALL were expected to do their rooms and help in communal areas. Being heavy handed he'd have learnt to not if he had to buy replacements.
My son has a girlfriend who I like and I'd always wanted to be on good terms with girlfriends and potential wife, by not creating a lazy good for nothing layabout!

Tell us you've never experienced children with extreme neurodivergency without telling us that you've never experienced children with extreme neurodivergency...

Aligirlbear · 01/08/2024 15:30

movienights · 19/05/2024 14:14

I've also sent him a text because I'm unable to get anything from him and he didn't respond but when I saw him he said I'm not going to have texts like that.
Dh has put the washing machine on the right setting and added detergent and it's finished but there's a pen in there and either tissue or paper that was in his pocket and it's made everything fluffy, all he can say is well I didn't know it was in there.
It's hopeless, he can't be bothered with it and just walks off.
I was in the garden pulling some weeds and ivy he came out to ask me something grabs some ivy from the fence and yanks it pulling part of the fence down before tutting and saying everything I touch goes wrong.
This is why everything is done for him because we want a nice home.

At this point I’m afraid it’s time to pack his bag and send him off to find a bed sit / house share. He clearly has no respect for you or your DH despite you being his parents so time for him to find his own way.

You absolutely shouldn’t have to put up with this behaviour in your own home or indeed carry on being his domestic staff so he can behave like a stroppy moody teenager and mess up / damage your home.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 01/08/2024 15:48

@movienights

Is he still living with you ?

Mintypig · 18/08/2024 20:06

Give him two weeks to improve or he is out. Simple as that. It’s funny how quick they start being able to do things….

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