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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

For approaching alienated teen DS

31 replies

SlinkyMalinkyy · 19/05/2026 17:48

My teen son has been alienated from me after I separated from his Dad, I still see him for short periods but things are difficult.

Just saw him in our local supermarket with his mates and I made the mistake of approaching him to say hi. I said - hello, DS, what you up to? I said do you need any money for sweets etc. It was awful. He froze, backed away and told me to go away twice. I backed right off and said speak to you soon and quickly left the supermarket. I feel like such a fool for approaching him, especially in front of his friends, I feel like I showed him up and I’ve made a bad situation much worse. I’ll never approach him if I see him in public again, I feel like such an idiot 😔

OP posts:
VividPinkTraybake · 21/05/2026 01:09

Eenameenadeeka · 19/05/2026 23:36

You're not an idiot, I don't think you've done anything wrong. This is so sad though I hope your situation improves and he comes back to you as he grows up a bit more.

So irresponsible to say based on nothing

SlinkyMalinkyy · 21/05/2026 07:06

VividPinkTraybake · 21/05/2026 01:09

So irresponsible to say based on nothing

What do you mean?

OP posts:
CooCooCachoo · 21/05/2026 07:16

I agree with this. How disrespectful to not even acknowledge you in a polite and civil way, group of friends or not. We wouldn’t expect that from adults so why accept it from teens. Edited to add I have 14 (soon 15) year old and he and his friends know how to speak with other people outside of their immediate group whether us adults or their younger siblings. Sad for you OP.

Suzjspik · 22/05/2026 14:23

Its normal, my son doesn't like me saying hi to him in front of mates, hes 15, its just the age.

KilkennyCats · 22/05/2026 14:32

Suzjspik · 22/05/2026 14:23

Its normal, my son doesn't like me saying hi to him in front of mates, hes 15, its just the age.

No, it’s not just the age.

MovedByFanciesThatAreCurled · 22/05/2026 22:38

ToKittyornottoKitty · 20/05/2026 23:52

This thread isn’t about your son though, it’s about OPs who doesn’t like her right now. And it’s incredibly common for teens to feel embarrassed if a parent approaches them in a shop with their friends and offers a few pounds for sweets. This didn’t happen purely because of the alienation, it happened because he’s 14 and was embarrassed.

that’s literally why I said ‘I know this thread is different’. I was responding to the people saying that completely ignoring your Mum/14 year old child is normal. It’s not.

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