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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To refuse to lend DS £1,200 when he's still booked to go on holiday?

262 replies

Jaxonus · 12/07/2026 13:25

I don't know what to do for the best as whatever I do frrls wrong
It's been a nightmare few years (probably 4) with DS and I thought we were through the other side but now I don't know

It's too long to list but something changed and he didn't care about his behaviour or school, he wasn't ever academic and was much better at practical type lessons but he was well behaved up until then but he seemed to enjoy being the class cleon and no matter what punishment he got he didn't care and in fact found it funny. He was also fixated on girls and I spoke to him multiple times about how he was treating them but that didn't go in either

When he was 16 announced he had a gf and she was pregnant but was cagy and defensive about other details and told me to stop questioning him. In the end it turned out he was lying and on a dating app and his gf was 22, she apparently knew his real age and didn't mind which I didn't believe but it later turned our that it was true.

She already had a child and ds seemed to have taken on the father role for both children. I know people will judge me especially because of the age gap but I didn't know what to do and if I went all in with anger and disapproval it would have just pushed him away when we didn't have the best relationship as it was. He’d just turned 16 and I found out about 2 months before she gave birth and he would have been 15 when baby was conceived and I did call his school and tried to speak to safeguarding as he was under the age of consent but nothing really was done and he ended up failing his gcses

He spent a year doing nothing pretty much apart from the bare minimum at college but his attendance was atrocious, he gave up rugby and he spent most of his time with her and if not in his room

Then last year he got an apprenticeship in carpentry and he seemed to enjoy it and I thought great, I bought him decent boots, gave him lifts on the odd few occasions he needed me to if the buses were unreliable due to the weather or something, lend him money if he was short until payday etc. And it was going great but he ended up losing it a few weeks ago die to health and safety, there wasn't a huge incident it was a bunch of things and his bosses were probably more patient than some would've been but he threw it back into their faces

He’d been spoken to multiple times about not having the right gear, taking shortcuts, climbing where he shouldn't, stupid little things that he shouldve known better for. According to him everyone else did it but whether they did or not is here nor there as they kept warning him until they'd had enough. He's convinced they just wanted rid of him and are using this as an excuse

Since then, he says he's applied for a few jobs but then circles back and says there's no jobs anyway. He's back to spending most his time in his room or with his gf even during weekdays when the children are at school or nursery as his gf doesn't work dur to a health condition. I've always been polite to her for my grandchild's sake but I don't agree with the choices they make

He still lives here officially and came home yesterday and asked me to lend him money, apparently £1,200 for his gf as she needs it for bills and there's some issue with child maintenance for the older child's dad, he kept saying it was only temporary and he/she would pay me back, I said no and he's turned it on me saying I don't care and he's weaponsing contact with the grandchildren now

The thing is, I could potentially do it but i’d be stretched but the reason I said no was because in a few weeks he's booked to go to Italy with her and the children, he booked it using his government trust fund he got at 18, which I told him to be careful with but no he knows best and booked a holiday

I mentioned it yesterday and he said it's different as it's already been booked and the children are excited and I can't tell him to upset a 5 and 2 year old by csncelling and they'd lose some money anyway. They've never been abroad and want to make memories etc (which they could do here and go next year or when they have more money)

I'm not made of money but I'm careful because I have to be and I do have money put away for emergencies like car repairs or things like that. He's barely spoken to me and apparently I'm unsupportive. I've mentioned jobs again and he said he'll look properly after their holiday but repeated there's no jobs anywhere

If he'd actually been looking and cancelled id maybe I wouldn't have hesitated but he isn't helping himself or anyone But he's accused of me making the children suffer but I don't see how I am

AIBU for refusing?

OP posts:
JanBlues2026 · 12/07/2026 13:28

Don’t lend him the money

BitterTits · 12/07/2026 13:28

YANBU and frankly you wouldn't be unreasonable to have done with your son. I know that sounds cold but he's making choices here and none of them seem to show love or respect for you.

Vaxtable · 12/07/2026 13:32

YANBU and the reality is they won’t repay you anyway

Just keep reiterating you don’t have the money, point his to Citizens advice for help, or they speak to whoever they owe the money to. He also needs to get a job

SowWhatNow · 12/07/2026 13:32

JanBlues2026 · 12/07/2026 13:28

Don’t lend him the money

Totally. You won't see it again.

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 12/07/2026 13:32

If he’s still living with you officially speaking, does that mean they are claiming benefits as though he isn’t there? Because that’s another issue that will bite him on the bum.

Whorulestheroost1 · 12/07/2026 13:34

Tough love OP. Hell would freeze over before I gave them the money.

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 12/07/2026 13:37

I think you are still treating him as a child, which is fine but also he needs to learn to grow up.

So in this situation, I’d give him the money, not loan, but also say it’s time he moved out. He can apply for benefits and they can live as a family, not in your house. He needs to be registered to vote etc from her house, she wanted a child for a baby father she’s got it.

the Italy holiday, I might mention the children will need passports, the older child’s father might need to give permission etc, but otherwise leave them to make mistakes now.

It’s tough but I do think you need to step right back and then just let him grow up fast.

Pinkissmart · 12/07/2026 13:39

I wouldn’t loan it either, but I would do a food shop for them.

It would be completely different if he had been responsible, working hard and trying to be an actual father.

stillhiding1990 · 12/07/2026 13:42

I would offer he came home, gets a job, dna test and pays his way if the child is his.

HandPulledNoodles · 12/07/2026 13:43

You should not in any way facilitate his current trajectory in life.

If he weaponises your GC say "well thats your decision to not give them a relationship with their grandma'

You have to dash the fantasy that he can do what he likes. He sounds vile.

sesquipedalian · 12/07/2026 13:44

OP, YANBU not to bankroll your feckless son who would rather spend his own money going on holiday and then freeload off you. He needs to move in with his GF and learn what fatherhood is all about.

Vanillaicelatte · 12/07/2026 13:45

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 12/07/2026 13:32

If he’s still living with you officially speaking, does that mean they are claiming benefits as though he isn’t there? Because that’s another issue that will bite him on the bum.

Nah it will bite the woman on the bum

its most likely her claim so her making the false declaration not him if he is living there and she’s not informed dwp

fundamentallyauthentic · 12/07/2026 13:45

No way would I be giving or lending the money and he should be living with them, not you.

I’m curious why he’s not living with her and his child? Could it be because she gets more benefits because he’s not listed as living there?

AxolotlEars · 12/07/2026 13:45

I wouldn't lend it unless I was prepared to lose it. I would only be prepared to lose it, if I wouldn't be bitter about it. I would buy them food, if I was able to.

Octavia64 · 12/07/2026 13:45

I wouldn’t be lending or giving money.

i’d offer to pay for food shops and similar.

does he/do they live with you?

Harrietsaunt · 12/07/2026 13:47

You will never see that money again…

Meadowfinch · 12/07/2026 13:53

No, money needs to be earned and he hasn't. End of.

ActuallyComfortable · 12/07/2026 13:53

The holiday is a separate issue unless they've booked something completely and unconditionally refundable, which sounds unlikely given they don't seem to be cautious people!

You probably aren't unreasonable not to lend the money - it sounds quite sketchy and you certainly won't get it back, it would be a gift. I'd just keep the holiday separate in your mind as it's unlikely cancelling would get them the money back.

Sparrowsandbudgies · 12/07/2026 13:54

Absolutely DO NOT give him the money, or any more money. He wants to be an adult, he needs to behave like one.

Tamtim · 12/07/2026 13:54

It doesn’t sound like you can afford to lose that money anyway but you absolutely should not be giving him any money at this point. He’s now an adult with a two year old and he should be busting a gut to find work to support his child and himself. Time to show some tough love. If he continues to be disrespectful and weaponising, he can move out. He sounds quite unpleasant.

MrFluffyDogIsMyBestFriend · 12/07/2026 13:58

Ignore people going on about benefits. It would be totally unfair on the GF to lose all her benefits when your DS isn't earning anything. She shouldn't be relying on an 18 year old and they'd both combust from the stress of it. Especially as it will be based on his earnings from last year even though he now earns nothing. So he needs to stay living with you.

He's still a child and she doesn't sound very mature either so you need to tread gently. Risking being cut off is not going to do anyone any favours. Remember that a lot of the posters on here don't have older kids. It's like when you have a baby and you think 3 year old toddlers are evil menaces, not just slightly older babies.

Personally I would agree to give him some of the money. However, he needs to understand that you won't have any more to give him. He also needs a lecture about emotional blackmail (and you can emotionally blackmail him into listening by using the money as an incentive;). It's really important to make young people aware of any toxic behaviour and nip it in the bud because this sort of thing ruins any future relationships. My DS actually thanked me for that recently!

AFigureWalks · 12/07/2026 13:59

We have a son of a similar age, behaving worse than yours and we realise the we have been too soft and enabling him. You know your son, I don’t, but just my two Penneth.

dogproblems1 · 12/07/2026 14:00

Do not give him the money

BMW58 · 12/07/2026 14:00

Do the right thing for your son - DO NOT GIVE HIM A SINGLE PENNY

It's high time he grew up

FinallyHere · 12/07/2026 14:00

Is it possible that he doesn’t consider that at least some his attraction in this situation is that he might appear to have your financial backing. Learning him money would entrench that appearance.

Let’s see him earn his own way.