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Stepson ready to be discharged from hospital but nowhere to go

177 replies

Burnterni · 27/09/2025 21:46

This may be all over the place so sorry in advance. I have a DS, he’s 27, A step daughter, who's now 31 and a stepson who's 22. I've been in step children’s life since they were 1 & 10, and my son was 3. their mum passed away a few months after SS was born. My sons dad was never in his life so my now late husband was a father figure to him as well.

I was always close to my stepchildren growing up and I am still close to SD. SS was difficult as soon as he hit his teens, he was permanently excluded from his private school, he got into drugs, shoplifted and we probably did let too much slide. When he was about 15 my late husband walked in on him in bed with another boy, DH didn't handle it the best. I think he was shocked and he ended up calling him disgusting etc, he did end up apologising but I think that ruined their relationship. He also has never gotten along with my DS, he always said he was everyones favourite and he was really cruel to him a lot of the time, my DS really tried to make an effort but he didn't care. In reality, it probably looked like stepson was the favourite because as I said we let him get away with a lot and perhaps we shouldn't have but DH would make excuses for him because his mum died when he was just a few months.

Anyway, the my DS being the favourite allegations wasn't helped by the fact when DH died (5 years ago) he left his business to my son, my son was already working there and had been since he was a teen and knew the trade. Stepson had no interest and frankly, I don't think my DH trusted him (his death was also unexpected so it could've changed if he didn't passed away then). SS didn't go to the funeral which was his choice and while I've been trying with him we don't have a relationship at all really.

He thinks he's above everyone in his attitude, he pushes everyone away because he gets angry with them and says horrible things to them (he has done this even with SD over text) no matter what someone has done for him, he often paints them as the villain and as he's the saint. He wouldn't leave my son and his gf alone, he lied to DS that his gf cheated on him and then at the same time lied to his gf about DS cheating on her for no reason whatsoever. My DS and his gf now don't want anything to do with him.

He barely has a relationship with SD, he was staying with her for a bit when he left here but in the end she told him to leave, I don't know the full story but he caused problems for her and her partner and wasn't appreciative of anything.

He doesn't work, he worked one shift at a supermarket and quit because he thinks he's above it. He stays in a hotel atm because he has no friends to stay with anymore. He has no friends. Most other family have fallen out with him and have blocked him. He's quite manipulative

Now the issue: he was rushed to hospital earlier this week and needed emergency surgery as his appendix had ruptured. A random person phoned the ambulance but if it had been left any longer he would've died, anyway he's in hospital and recovering and he's likely to be discharged tomorrow but due to the surgery and it not being a simple surgery for appendicitis they can't discharge him to stay on his own, it will be a complicated recovery so he will need help with things. The issue is he doesn't want to come and stay with me, his reasons are that DS will visit and act smug toward him, which he won't do. Just because they don't have a relationship doesn't mean he doesn't care, he's been asking me how he is. I've told him this but he still doesn't want to stay at mine, he's adamant he'll be fine on his own “because that’s how it's always been” (his words). But due to the hospitals duty of care they won't discharge him

What do I do?!

OP posts:
FlippityFlippityFlop · 27/09/2025 21:50

There's not a lot you can do. You have to let him make his own choices.

Beamur · 27/09/2025 21:51

What can you do?
Presumably your DSS has refused to stay at yours, the hospital will have protocols for people who need support on discharge who have none. Community hospital or rehab of some kind.
The back story adds context but basically your adult DSS has refused to stay with you post op. Hospital will have to consider other options.

Croakymccroakyvoice · 27/09/2025 21:53

There's nothing you can do. He is an adult and has made his choice. I understand why you feel conflicted, but this one isn't on you.

Londonrach1 · 27/09/2025 21:56

He doesn't want to come to you and you don't want him. He is an adult. Answer nothing....id let an adult decide what's right for them.

EchoedSilence · 27/09/2025 21:57

it sounds like he feels pushed out in favour of your DS. Sad all round really. I can understand him feeling resentful.

UsernamePain · 27/09/2025 21:57

Depending on the area the hospital will refer to the local councils housing team- if he is unable to be discharged from hospital due to having no fixed address they would most likely have to offer some sort of temporary accommodation while he recovers.

Octavia64 · 27/09/2025 21:58

Nothing.

hospital won’t discharge him until he has someone to stay with and/or they get fed up of him taking up a bed.

so either he’ll get fed up with hospital and work out someone to stay with (you or a,n. Other) or they’ll decide that he does have someone to stay with he’s just being a muppet and discharge him anyway.

KimHwn · 27/09/2025 21:59

You say, OK DSS, all the best and get well soon. He is probably enjoying the fact that you're trying to convince him; it gives him a sense of power and control. He sounds like he's addicted to drama in his interpersonal relationships and it's not doing him any good.

Aligirlbear · 27/09/2025 22:02

Nothing you can do if he has refused to come to you. He is an adult and is able to make the decision. It’s for the hospital to liaise with Adult Services and he either goes into temporary accommodation or possibly to a rehab unit if they have a spare bed.

Costcogroupie · 27/09/2025 22:03

You are not his mother.
You are not responsible for SS health or welfare..
You don't have a relationship with SS.
He doesn't want to stay with you.
Hospital will find him rehab accommodation until he's fit then SS will find him housing if he needs it or he'll go back to wherever he was living.

Step away from the SS. He doesn't want or need you. Don't feel guilty, he's not your responsibility

MeganM3 · 27/09/2025 22:05

Let him know he’s very welcome with you and that he can stay until better, but ultimately he is an adult and it is his choice. He may have relationships you’re unaware of who may offer help.
Offering him the option of coming to you is all you can do.

DanceMumTaxi · 27/09/2025 22:07

You’ve done all you can by offering help and offering to let him stay. If he doesn’t want to you can’t make him. It’s his choice so let him crack on.

Viviennemary · 27/09/2025 22:08

It's not up to you to solve this problem. He has rejected your kind offer of help. Leave him to sort it out on his own.

Bananaandmangosmoothie · 27/09/2025 22:11

The fact that you know all this and it’s been suggested as a possibility suggests you still have a relationship with him and are part of his life?

Really hard. If he’s an adult and doesn’t want to stay you can’t make him.

LasVegass · 27/09/2025 22:13

He’ll have to find something else. You feel hurt because he’s said he was always on his own, but having him is unlikely to change his mind and he’ll likely fall out with you again, as he’s done with others, and feel he was right all along that he’s always on his own. You’ve tried your best but this isn’t working out.

Burnterni · 27/09/2025 22:14

I suspect the hospital will want him to leave quickly as he'll be taking up a bed which isn't really needed and is already being quite difficult.

I worry if I step back he'll paint it as I refused to let him stay and was happy for him to have no where to go whilst he recovered.

He's already told the nurses that I forced him to leave originally and I told him I don't want him back

OP posts:
DoodleLug · 27/09/2025 22:16

I was fully expecting this to be he wants to stay with you but you don't want him. That would be a dilemma.

He doesn't want to stay with you. The hospital won't discharge him if he isn't safe on his own.

It is not your responsibility, ask him what you can do for him. There'll probably be a period where he has to go it alone before fully ready, maybe you can support him then.

DoodleLug · 27/09/2025 22:17

Burnterni · 27/09/2025 22:14

I suspect the hospital will want him to leave quickly as he'll be taking up a bed which isn't really needed and is already being quite difficult.

I worry if I step back he'll paint it as I refused to let him stay and was happy for him to have no where to go whilst he recovered.

He's already told the nurses that I forced him to leave originally and I told him I don't want him back

The nurses may think badly of you. So what?

They will know you have absolutely no requirement to offer him convalescent care.

Sassylovesbooks · 27/09/2025 22:18

The hospital will have to arrange for Adult Social Care to be involved. You can't force him to stay with you, if he doesn't want to. I suspect that he won't be discharged unless someone comes to collect him, so not sure he will be able to lie to the hospital staff. You've given your step-son an option of staying with you, and you've offered to help him with the recovery process. He's refused, so there's nothing else you can do. He's an adult, and it's his choice.

MyPinkTraybake · 27/09/2025 22:22

Does he have some kind of trauma? His reaction seems a bit disproportionate/extreme to be honest.

Heythere55 · 27/09/2025 22:25

Burnterni · 27/09/2025 22:14

I suspect the hospital will want him to leave quickly as he'll be taking up a bed which isn't really needed and is already being quite difficult.

I worry if I step back he'll paint it as I refused to let him stay and was happy for him to have no where to go whilst he recovered.

He's already told the nurses that I forced him to leave originally and I told him I don't want him back

So.... he's going to paint you badly no matter what you do!

You have offered. He has said no.
It's like he wants you to say DS can't visit which you should not pander too.

To be honest, I wouldn't want to be around a manipulative liar.

noctilucentcloud · 27/09/2025 22:26

DoodleLug · 27/09/2025 22:17

The nurses may think badly of you. So what?

They will know you have absolutely no requirement to offer him convalescent care.

I agree with this, I know it might feel uncomfortable or upsetting but it doesn't really matter if the nurses think ill of you. Having said that, I suspect the nurses are pretty good at reading between the lines and if, as you say, he's been awkward on the ward I reckon they'll already know it's not a straight-forward situation.

Your step son is am adult with capacity, you can't force him to accept your help. I think it's actually better for him (as well as you) for him to recieve help from the homeless team. He needs to be independent and this could be a step for him getting more support.

Pices · 27/09/2025 22:29

In this case the OP is the only mother he’s ever known. Both his parents are now dead. Clearly his needs weren’t met in some spectacular way growing up. I don’t think I could just say ‘good luck’ to my own son.

TwinklyNight · 27/09/2025 22:33

Don't worry about it, he isn't.
Let him go where he wants.

EchoedSilence · 27/09/2025 22:33

He's a young lad who clearly has issues with losing both his parents. Plus his own father clearly favoured the OPs son. I'm not surprised he's a bit messed up.

I couldn't just turn my back on him.

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