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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?

263 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:
AnyDayNowChuckJacksonNSoul · 12/07/2026 18:53

Husaria · 12/07/2026 18:08

Don't give him any money.
Yes, grandchildren will be disappointed, but that's because their parents didn't think about them in the first place. If they were old enough to have a child, they should be responsible enough to provide for them. It's not your job to fund your grandkids' holidays, when they have parents who should be thinking about it.

The children are 2 and 5.
The oh it's for the kids blah blah blah emotional blackmail from two feckless fuckers.
He's playing at being a man and a crystal ball ain't required to see it will end in tears and the mum will weaponise the grandchild .
Apologies I see you also wrote don't give him.the money.

IonianNerveGrip · 12/07/2026 19:01

Whaleandsnail6 · 12/07/2026 18:28

I can't believe what I am reading...a 15 year old was groomed by a 21 year old into having a sexual relationship, and social services, school and the police did nothing?

Surely a 15 year old cannot consent to have sex with a 21/22 year old? How was she not prosecuted?

I feel sorry for this lad. He's been abused by this woman and now there is a poor baby in the whole mess.

I doubt most 21 year olds who have sex with 15 year olds are prosecuted.

SweatySpider321 · 12/07/2026 19:02

Hard no from me. They need to both grow up and work. What is the need / indulgence to have children but not work?! Interesting they can “afford” to go on holiday but not pay bills. Don’t feed into their fecklessness

She does sound like she groomed him. Imagine if the boot was on the other foot and he was female?

Housebashing · 12/07/2026 19:23

IonianNerveGrip · 12/07/2026 19:01

I doubt most 21 year olds who have sex with 15 year olds are prosecuted.

Not forgetting an unsupportive mother

Elsvieta · 12/07/2026 20:19

AnyDayNowChuckJacksonNSoul · 12/07/2026 16:04

@Elsvieta don't think it's a case of girlfriend not tolerating him not working it's a case of if on paper he was living there it would change things universal credit wise so it's a benefit fraud tactic not declaring

Oh yeah, I get that. But if mum chucked him out and he had to live there and she couldn't claim the benefits any more, then she'd get tough about him working, surely?

IonianNerveGrip · 12/07/2026 20:24

Elsvieta · 12/07/2026 20:19

Oh yeah, I get that. But if mum chucked him out and he had to live there and she couldn't claim the benefits any more, then she'd get tough about him working, surely?

Or not let him move in.

fundamentallyauthentic · 12/07/2026 20:28

IonianNerveGrip · 12/07/2026 20:24

Or not let him move in.

That’s the more likely option for these two piss takers.

RoseOliviaAu · 12/07/2026 20:40

chocoluv · 12/07/2026 18:12

I feel really sorry for your DS.
It sounds like he’s trying but he just struggles.
School is not for everyone.
Apprenticeships can also be incredibly tough, especially for those who also struggle academically.

Does he want to continue with an apprenticeship?
Can he change into doing something different?
I would be helping him try and get another one more suited to him, or even going back to college.

I would not be lending him the full amount as you don’t want the gf to think you’re made of money.

However, she does need money for his child and the children are suffering because he’s lost his apprenticeship.

I would tell him you can’t afford the full amount but can lend him £500.

He’s tried school and apprenticeships. Time for an actual job.

AnyDayNowChuckJacksonNSoul · 12/07/2026 20:40

Elsvieta · 12/07/2026 20:19

Oh yeah, I get that. But if mum chucked him out and he had to live there and she couldn't claim the benefits any more, then she'd get tough about him working, surely?

We would both like to think so but I bet she knows the benefits system and how to work it.
I ain't no benefits basher I'm on UC and carer for my wife who works PT due to progressive disability and she's in receipt of ADP.
She's worked 42 yes in a manual job
I worked for years in a job made redundant once you hit a certain age no one wants you.
So I do bit of volunteering to give something back.

Mix56 · 12/07/2026 20:43

Do not lend (give, you’ll never get it back) him the money, it’s a lie, they want a new tv or some other shite. Or they will spend it on ice creams.
This child may not be your grandchild anyway.
if he weaponises the child to get your money. Its best to make a stand now, if not it will never ever stop.
Their relationship will end, she will then say its not his baby. He will have to grow up, & then, maybe, you can try & help him.
Have you said, I have nothing spare, & what I have I have had to work for, you need to do the same

chocoluv · 12/07/2026 21:20

RoseOliviaAu · 12/07/2026 20:40

He’s tried school and apprenticeships. Time for an actual job.

He is applying for jobs but without any qualifications he’s going to struggle to get anything with a decent pay.

I’d be encouraging him to get a different apprenticeship and making sure he gets the right support.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 12/07/2026 22:53

Do not give him any money

Ilovelifeverymuch · 12/07/2026 23:52

Housebashing · 12/07/2026 14:07

It’s £1200 £100 a month versus not having a relationship with your son and your grandchildren ? I spend more than that getting my nails done and you probably waste 100 quid quite happily on another stuff that you don’t need. Just give the kid the money.

If he wants to play daddy then her needs to grow up and step up. Borrowing him the money will set a precedent with an immature couple who don't work yet think they are entitled to holidays and whatever they want.

And the reaction of if you don't give me money when I want it I will keep your grandchild away from you says a lot about him and his GF. He can throw his tantrum all he wants.

JHound · Yesterday 02:29

He’s irresponsible so any money you lend him you will never see again. He’s also a pisstaker. He can cancel his holiday and use that money for his emergencies.

gardeningrocker · Yesterday 16:36

Oh wow, where to begin?
You would not be doing your son any favours by lending( giving , because you won’t be repaid) this money. He is still very young but he has made some stupid choices and this is when he needs to see consequences if you are hoping for a change in his behaviour.
He has time on his side to go back to college/ training but he has to see the need for that and he won’t if you bail him out constantly. As a father he should be wanting to better his life to contribute to his child’s upbringing.
My youngest put her trust money towards gap year travelling which we fully endorsed, but she has not got a child and worked part time whilst studying to fund the trip and got decent exam results.
Basically he needs to grow up and start making better choices or he will be another young person who thinks the rest of us tax payers should fund his life!

Marieb19 · Yesterday 16:47

You are being abused and coerced by your own son. Traits he may have learned from his sexually abusive, scrounging girl friend. Time for some tough love for your own sake and his. Absolutely no way do you give him and her money. If they want money, they can earn it and he should pay you rent if he lives with you.

Monty36 · Yesterday 17:01

I suspect the money is for the holiday.
You would be giving him the money if you do. You won’t see it again. So not a loan. If you give him the money he will ask again. It will be something else. Another bill. Not that you will ever have sight of the bill. Or their finances.

Emotional blackmail is a nasty thing. And your son and his girlfriend are dishing it up to you.

If he ever asks you to pay a bill ask to know who it is to be paid to directly, get the details and pay them. Never just give the cash or money to him. No sight of a bill or invoice, no payment.

If it is for the holiday then ask for sight of the invoice, booking, anything so you can pay them directly. That is if you choose to pay this one time only. And make sure you know he will ask again, and that the answer will be no.

Never just give him a load of money. A bill, a payment - who does it go to ?

Breadbutterandjam · Yesterday 17:14

Op I wouldn’t be giving him the money either. He won’t be the last person having to cancel a holiday and telling children there is no holiday. When he booked the holiday did he start saving for spending money straight away?

I wouldn’t be having anyone holding me over a barrel. Give in once, and he will be blackmailing you again and again

riceuten · Yesterday 17:58

If you do it, it won’t be the last time, and if you get the money back, it will be a miracle. If any of this makes you struggle, then you need to say a hard no.

Lollipop81 · Yesterday 18:11

So a 22 year old woman was sleeping with a 15 year old boy, not great is it. If it was a man sleeping with a girl and got her pregnant I can imagine there would be plenty of comments about it but so far I haven’t seen a single comment about this.
if it was me I would make sure they had food etc but I can’t imagine why she would need £1200, how has she managed to get into that much debt. It doesn’t ring true does it, is it spending money for the holiday? If they are really desperate she could get a crisis loan. I would definitely want more info on what it is for.

Colcupcake1 · Yesterday 18:18

Don’t lend him any money. You’ll never see it again from either of them!! Chances are this relationship won’t last anyway. It would have been cheaper for him to have bought a packet of condoms rather than have a baby that he clearly can’t support

EmeraldShamrock000 · Yesterday 18:21

Not a chance. I’m a total softie as a mother and give my children far too much of me, time, money etc but I draw the line at this.
Nope. If he wants to act like a grown man then he can provide like one.

LouiseK93 · Yesterday 18:23

Dont lend him the money.
Report the sex offender (which she is!!) To the police.

TooHotToBoogie · Yesterday 18:40

Housebashing · 12/07/2026 14:07

It’s £1200 £100 a month versus not having a relationship with your son and your grandchildren ? I spend more than that getting my nails done and you probably waste 100 quid quite happily on another stuff that you don’t need. Just give the kid the money.

How the hell do you know the OP wastes money on stuff she doesn't need?!?!?!? Give your head a little wobble luv

Hankunamatata · Yesterday 18:42

No i wouldnt lend money

They can cancel holiday, lose deposit and use rest for bills. They are grown up enough to play happy families then they are gown up enough to manage their money