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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell DS it's up to him now.

325 replies

hotsocks27 · 16/08/2026 15:51

Ds just finished school, A-level results disappointing to say the least. He managed to get himself a really good apprenticeship place which he's now lost because he missed a required grade by 2 marks. (Paper has been sent for review, but not holding out much hope that the grade will change). The plan now is for him to find himself another apprenticeship place, though it will have to be at a lower level.

But after DS was rude to me yesterday, I've decided that now is the time for me to step back and stop doing so much for him. I found him the original apprenticeship, because he was told to look but didn't bother. I helped him with the psychometric testing, the video interviews. Put loads of effort into trying to get him to revise when school told us he was probably going to fail. The moment he was left to his own devices he watched videos on you tube and insisted that was enough revision. You get the idea. He's failed his driving test 3 times, only goes out to practise if I tell him we are going.

All of this makes DH very stressed. His way of dealing with this is to tell me a list of things DS needs to be doing. I've realised that I've been babying DS in order to calm DH's anxiety and I just can't do it any more. It hasn't worked, I've put my own life on hold for months, and I'm exhausted.

Ds has spent the day in his room allegedly applying for an apprenticeship. I have said, if you want help, you know where I am and left it at that. DH is in a foul mood, foul tempered, stress farting, saying every 10 minutes 'what is DS doing? We need to look at what he's doing. He can't just be left to do it. Why is it taking so long? What has he been doing all day? He's got to write his answers in a word doc and run them through chat gpt.'Etc etc. he hasn't actually gone to Ds and said let me help, he's just dumped his stress on me but I have not budged. I know DH wants me to take over and just write the application. It is obviously driving him up that wall that I have said it is up to DS now.

Aibu?

OP posts:
Billender · 21/08/2026 08:47

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Blades2 · 22/08/2026 11:12

Softcream · 16/08/2026 15:55

If DH thinks DS needs help, why doesn't he help him?

Because as always it’s easier to be left to mum. Inconsiderate prick her dh sounds like.

hotsocks27 · 22/08/2026 18:38

An update for the many people who were really kind and helpful on this thread:
My son's grade went up as a result of the paper review, so he's got his apprenticeship place, and he's booked an appointment to talk to someone about being assessed for ADHD. Thank you to everyone who suggested looking into it.

OP posts:
BruFord · 22/08/2026 18:43

He has his original apprenticeship @hotsocks27? That's brilliant news!

Your DH needs to address his approach to stressful situations now; his behavior wasn't helpful at all.

Puffalicious · 22/08/2026 18:46

A brilliant update OP, such good news for your son 👏.

I do think the assessment is a good move. Diagnosis & meds for my DS at 18 have been all kinds of helpful: he's now at uni at home & doing well.

Ragatha · 22/08/2026 20:45

Fantastic news OP!

Crumpetring · 22/08/2026 20:50

hotsocks27 · 22/08/2026 18:38

An update for the many people who were really kind and helpful on this thread:
My son's grade went up as a result of the paper review, so he's got his apprenticeship place, and he's booked an appointment to talk to someone about being assessed for ADHD. Thank you to everyone who suggested looking into it.

Amazing! Great news OP

TheSunBeatsDown · 22/08/2026 20:50

Well done OP and well done your son for persisting and applying elsewhere too.

Eclipseydo · 22/08/2026 21:35

Absolutely brilliant news.
OP, look at diet and supplements that may be of help with AdHD.
My friends daughter hated medication as it dulled everything for her, but has responded so well to diet and supplements.
Well worth looking into.
Good luck.

Moreholidaysthanjudithchalmers · 23/08/2026 04:09

What a great up and good luck to him.

grinandslothit · 23/08/2026 04:51

Unfortunately your household sounds quite dysfunctional have you thought about getting family therapy?

When boys get too much help and their parents do
everything for them they do become quite idle
They don't build that resilience that makes for work ethic and figuring things out for themselves

Since you are a cashed up family maybe get the son into some type of occupational therapy or executive function coach

user1492757084 · 23/08/2026 05:16

Congratulations to your son!!
Regardless of whether he is on a spectrum, make some appropriate plans to help him become independent.

Help him make a time table for his room...
Large visible three month white board.

Work schedule for apprenticeship.
Homework and study blocks.
Regularly driving with you and DH.
Chores - cooking, yard work, washing and cleaning.
Sport, hobby
Friends

Outsource him learning how to budget finance, and time. DH can pay for sessions from a professional.
Assess whether DS needs a mentor through out his apprenticeship but do not be that mentor.

Back off making decisions so DS makes mistakes, learns when to ask for help and improves skills.

nomoremsniceperson · 23/08/2026 06:22

Great that things worked out OP.

One thing you need to impress upon your DH is this - he needs to trust your DS to take it from here. There's nothing worse for a child's confidence to have their overly perfectionist parent hovering nearby anxiously watching and waiting for them to make a mistake. You both wanted him to send that application - he did what you wanted, and your DH exploded because he didn't do it exactly as he thought he should.

How will your son ever feel like a competent actor in life if his every decision is second-guessed by his father? It's great that he has his apprenticeship now, but this is the time for your DH to back off and get some therapy for his very obvious control issues. Your son will make mistakes, but the good news is that he will learn from them. The crucially important news is that growth and development cannot happen unless he is allowed to make his own mistakes and trusted by his parents to do so.

There is much more to becoming a successful adult than following instructions and asking for help. His own initiative is just as important, and if your DH squashes that by having a temper tantrum when DS does something as innocuous as sending off an application without asking for input, then you will have an eternal child on your hands.

Have faith in your son. He will feel it if you don't, and it will impact his ability to have faith in himself.

nonevernotever · 23/08/2026 06:45

Wonderful news - I am so glad to hear that.

NotEnoughRoom · 23/08/2026 07:11

Oh that is fantastic news.

(another very late diagnosed ADHDer here)

on the driving test front, he's obviously got the basics of driving from the hours of lessons etc.
if he does have ADHD, then the wait time to get a test will not be triggering the “oh shit, I need to get on with practicing” response in his brain”
have you considered one of those intensive courses where you take the test at the end?

LBFseBrom · 23/08/2026 07:11

hotsocks27 · 22/08/2026 18:38

An update for the many people who were really kind and helpful on this thread:
My son's grade went up as a result of the paper review, so he's got his apprenticeship place, and he's booked an appointment to talk to someone about being assessed for ADHD. Thank you to everyone who suggested looking into it.

I am so delighted for you son, hotsocks, and of course for you. I bet your son is pleased. He will grow in confidence.

Good luck to him.

UniversityProblems · 23/08/2026 07:16

hotsocks27 · 22/08/2026 18:38

An update for the many people who were really kind and helpful on this thread:
My son's grade went up as a result of the paper review, so he's got his apprenticeship place, and he's booked an appointment to talk to someone about being assessed for ADHD. Thank you to everyone who suggested looking into it.

Great to read. Congratulations!!! to him.

MadMAGA · 23/08/2026 07:28

That's fantastic OP, what a relief.

WRT driving, is he learning manual or automatic? When we were looking at lessons for DS, the very experienced instructor said some people just cannot manage manual and there's no point trying to make them. Especially with the rise of EVs.

HazelHedgehog · 23/08/2026 07:30

Brilliant news. Well done to all of you. On the driving thing we gave up on manual and son passed in automatic car, simply to make learning easier. Pleased it's all worked out for you.

mrspk · 23/08/2026 07:33

I absolutely sympathise as we are currently realising we have done too much for our 17 year old, but I'm crying with laughing about the stress farting. So pleased to read this far and hear all ended well and so relieved we got clarification on the stress farting

MsPrufrockk · 23/08/2026 08:09

Chefpig · 16/08/2026 15:59

Stress farting? LTB, the dirty pig.

Oh my gosh, stop 😂

Ethelspagetti · 23/08/2026 08:19

hotsocks27 · 22/08/2026 18:38

An update for the many people who were really kind and helpful on this thread:
My son's grade went up as a result of the paper review, so he's got his apprenticeship place, and he's booked an appointment to talk to someone about being assessed for ADHD. Thank you to everyone who suggested looking into it.

Congratulations to your son! Well done for persevering!!

MyTakeIsntYourTake · 23/08/2026 08:21

Been following your threaad.Sounds like a stressful time. Hope it all works ok for your ds.

friedaklein · 23/08/2026 08:23

Great update. Good luck to him.
May I suggest you go away for a nice break or holiday on your own? You deserve it. Take care of yourself. Us mums often forget to do that.

pollyglot · 23/08/2026 09:17

DH, ex -forces, seen action, says stress farting is a thing in battle situations

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