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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To except DS21 to share a room with his sister? *edited by MNHQ*

189 replies

DasDrummer · 01/10/2025 16:20

I'm a mum to 4 DC, DS21, DD15, and DS15, DD5

My eldest was born a girl but ill use DS for this thread as it's his argument for why he can't share a room. He is on testosterone and to a lot of people he “passes” as a man.

He barely finished school, he didn't take his GCSEs as it was in 2020, he briefly started a catering course at college but he dropped out after a few months. In 2019 I split with their dad and he started sharing a room with DD and has done since. I had to downsize and there was nothing I could do. They have the biggest room and DS15 has the box room. It isn't possible for me to sleep on the sofa and give one of them my room. DD5 is in with me (in her own bed though)

Anyway, he got a job at 17 (he turned 18 later that year) it was at the supermarket. He ended up buying tickets to see an artist he liked as they were going on tour and the manager said no he couldn't have it off, he ended up quitting. He got his trust fund at 18 and wasted it to go travelling around Europe to different shows for said artist. He basically said he could do what he wanted

He was gone for most of 2023, he came back and didn't get a job, he stayed in bed all day on his phone. He also met a girl that lived in Germany and spent Christmas 2023 with her (this was with him getting UC and buying cheap flights), he finally got a job early last year, the gf came here to visit him and DD had to share a bed with me for the week. I don't know why I allowed him to dictate but I regret it.

Anyway, they split up and he started saying he was depressed and he’d stay in bed all day etc. He ended up quitting the job in Feb/March and again he’d just stay in bed constantly. He did end up going to the GP and was given antidepressants and he's had 1 session of therapy.

He got a boyfriend in the summer and he was out with him a lot, he'd come over but honestly it was too much too soon. I never let him stay over apart from agreeing to when me and my younger DC were away (they broke up before this happened though). When they broke up the behaviour was the same, in bed most the time. He only eats one meal a day because I don't cook for him, he usually ends up ordering though.

He does go out drinking a few times a week, he gets UC and that mostly goes on nights out (and quickly), he sometimes disturbs us getting in drunk, but other times he stays out. The artist had announced another tour and he's been complaining he has no money to see him more than once which is his own fault tbh.

Anyway, to the point: he is saying he shouldn't have to share with DD15, he's an adult and if he should share with anyone it would be DS as he's not a woman and feels uncomfortable sharing with DD, this led to an argument over me not accepting him, he called me transphobic and I basically told him if he doesn't Iike it he should move out. He stormed out and hasn't replied to my messages, this was last night.

To add: they did used to share bunk beds but now they have their own single bed and the room is slightly partitioned with shelves but he still complains about her and sharing.

AIBU?

OP posts:
MousseMousse · 01/10/2025 16:27

What would his siblings like to do?
Surely they get a say

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 01/10/2025 16:28

I would say he should move out and get his own place!

Seems unfair for dd to be sharing with him, esp with her important school years coming up.

TheGrimSqueakersFlea · 01/10/2025 16:28

It's time they moved out. Why have you put up with all that shit?

Simbaonedaythiswillallbeyours · 01/10/2025 16:30

He is an adult. If he doesn't like the rules of your home, he can move out. Time to grow up.

Fuck knows why you have put up with this job hopping, dictating, irresponsible individual, child of yours or not.

Gizlotsmum · 01/10/2025 16:31

He’s an adult. What is his proposal over how the rooms should be split? I would check what the other siblings wanted and then give him a take it or move out solution. He gets UC he can go into a house share if home life isn’t working for him. Does he contribute anything to the household expenses?

sesquipedalian · 01/10/2025 16:32

It seems to me that their behaviour is very unfair on you and the rest of the household. If your DC thinks they are an adult, they need to behave like it, and find somewhere else to live.

Cindyyyy · 01/10/2025 16:33

Your eldest child is an adult. Time to move out. Can your ex offer a place?

TheatricalLife · 01/10/2025 16:35

I'm assuming no rent is being paid seeing as the job situation is on and off? If you don't contribute towards the household as an adult, then you don't get to boss everyone around with regards to rooms and who stays where. Dont like it? Move out. I'm sure your DD doesn't exactly relish sharing with a miserable, moaning layabout either.

Mischance · 01/10/2025 16:36

You must not let him walk all over you. You are not a doormat. Does he not understand about things like fairness and taking responsibility and consideration for others?

If not, then out he goes ........

backatchababy · 01/10/2025 16:37

Oh bless you this sounds really messy but kindly, it’s time to get him out. I know from experience sadly that this is so hard, and the that worry if u kick him will be the end of your relationship, but actually he needs to grow up and learn to fend for himself. Frame it as he’s clearly not happy living here and practically it just doesn’t work so you will help him to become more independent and find his own place. Offer to Help with the deposit, go and look at some flats tell him you hope he’ll still come over for Sunday lunch etc but do make it clear that by X date he needs to move out.

If he doesn’t already pay a reasonable rent, that would be a very good starting point.

Delatron · 01/10/2025 16:41

Is he not disturbing your other child he shares a room with when he comes home late? Seems so unfair on them.

He’ll have no incentive to get a job if he is staying home for free. He’s 21 - time to find his own place. Otherwise start charging him lots of rent so moving in with friends is more appealing - and getting a job.

DasDrummer · 01/10/2025 16:43

Their dad was emotionally abusive towards me, and doesn't know where we live, has no contact with me or the DC.

DS often blames me for his issues and maybe I am at fault. He does pay a small amount when he gets his UC but then often complains and asks for it back because he has no money and I never buy food he likes.

I've not asked the other DC what they think but he isn't close to DD and the main issue is she wakes him up when she gets up for school because she turns the light on (poor him 🙄) and she plays her music/YouTube without headphones. But they never do anything together, they were watching the exact same show at the time in the same room but separate. He's less close to DS.

He often doesn't sleep until 4/5/6am (he's admitted this himself) and sleeps all day, he was given tablets to help with the sleep but he still spends most of his time in bed on his laptop/phone.

OP posts:
Delatron · 01/10/2025 16:48

It doesn’t sound fair on your DD sharing a room with a 21 year old who comes home late

I’m sorry you had such a tough time with your Ex but that is not your fault. You are doing amazing bringing up 4 kids. Are you scared to ask him to leave?

AnneLovesGilbert · 01/10/2025 16:52

The children who are still children and at school deserve better than their childhoods being blighted by a confused, angry, jobless, feckless, selfish, adult causing drama in their home and sapping resources that they can benefit from. Stop tolerating all of this ridiculous messing around and tell your adult offspring to get a fucking job and stand on their own two feet. The testosterone will be the cause of a lot of issues but you seem to have supported that so it’s done now. You’ve done your best. Be done with being a doormat and prioritise your younger kids. Don’t give in to threats, abuse or blackmail.

Poirot1983 · 01/10/2025 16:58

Aside from the question of unreasonableness, it doesn't read like you like him much. Or at least you don't have anything positive to say about him.

He's 21, young adult children are often still at home now into their mid-late 20's.

Travelling is not a 'waste' of money.

Sounds like the touring was a great experience for him. Not sure why the negativity about it.

Yes, he could - and should - get a job between tours/travels.

Why wouldn't he have a bedroom and you could sleep in the living room? My parents would do that.

Algen · 01/10/2025 17:07

Why wouldn't he have a bedroom and you could sleep in the living room? My parents would do that.

OP is already sharing a bedroom with her 5 year old.

Britanniarulesthewaves · 01/10/2025 17:08

You can’t put DS 15 with your adult daughter!! Regardless of her gender identity, your daughter could be at risk of sexual assault, and it would be extremely uncomfortable for DS too. Absolutely not.
There’s no magical wand that will ever make her a man, she always has been and will be female. She shares with her sister. Or she can move out and get a room in a houseshare if she doesn’t like it!!

Frogs88 · 01/10/2025 17:08

I would ask your DS15 and DD15 their opinion on it. I don’t think it’s fair that your daughter has to share with an adult that’s transitioning and up all night when she has school. I’d say the best solution would be for him start looking into moving out into a flatshare with adults his age.

Poirot1983 · 01/10/2025 17:10

Algen · 01/10/2025 17:07

Why wouldn't he have a bedroom and you could sleep in the living room? My parents would do that.

OP is already sharing a bedroom with her 5 year old.

Sorry, I meant 'most' parents.

Why do people have so many children and not enough rooms for them?!

NAMECHANGE87554 · 01/10/2025 17:11

AnneLovesGilbert · 01/10/2025 16:52

The children who are still children and at school deserve better than their childhoods being blighted by a confused, angry, jobless, feckless, selfish, adult causing drama in their home and sapping resources that they can benefit from. Stop tolerating all of this ridiculous messing around and tell your adult offspring to get a fucking job and stand on their own two feet. The testosterone will be the cause of a lot of issues but you seem to have supported that so it’s done now. You’ve done your best. Be done with being a doormat and prioritise your younger kids. Don’t give in to threats, abuse or blackmail.

This, most young adults would do whatever it takes to avoid living at Mum's house if that meant sharing with a school age sibling. Your eldest needs to pull thier socks up and get a life.

Algen · 01/10/2025 17:15

Poirot1983 · 01/10/2025 17:10

Sorry, I meant 'most' parents.

Why do people have so many children and not enough rooms for them?!

Have you read anything OP has said? She split from an abusive man and needed to downsize.

Also, children have shared rooms for years. It’s hardly child abuse.

Honestly, at this stage I’d be telling the eldest to move out if they don’t like their current arrangements.

Anywherebuthere · 01/10/2025 17:16

Poirot1983 · 01/10/2025 16:58

Aside from the question of unreasonableness, it doesn't read like you like him much. Or at least you don't have anything positive to say about him.

He's 21, young adult children are often still at home now into their mid-late 20's.

Travelling is not a 'waste' of money.

Sounds like the touring was a great experience for him. Not sure why the negativity about it.

Yes, he could - and should - get a job between tours/travels.

Why wouldn't he have a bedroom and you could sleep in the living room? My parents would do that.

And where should the 5 year old go? It's better for them to be with a stable parent than a angry confused sibling.

I would say its time for the adult sibling to move out.

Poirot1983 · 01/10/2025 17:17

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

itsmeits · 01/10/2025 17:18

Anyway, to the point: he is saying he shouldn't have to share with DD15, he's an adult and if he should share

I completely agree with them. They shouldn't have to share. However unlike your DD15 they have the ability to move out. So they adult up and move out!

If they cant adult up they need to shut up and get on with it.

Sound like you are doing your best, in the situation you are in.

cestlavielife · 01/10/2025 17:19

They need to move out.

Claim whatever housing benefit for wn room rental in shared house

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