Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My teenage son and his attitude to my relationship

212 replies

creatorcure · Yesterday 20:40

I live an hour away from
my partner of a year. We see one another overnight once per week for 24-36 hours and then have a coffee/ walk on an evening midweek .
My 16 year old child has an issue with this. He refuses to engage in any activity outside the home except for walking the dog. Doesn’t meet friends , just wants me around all the time and has just accused me f being a shit mother essentially and asked why I had kids when’
im always gone’. My
other kids are thrilled for me . I’ve solo
parented all my life .. even when married but have done it completely on my own for the last eight years where I was fully
committed to my children and my work to support them.
I am sick to death of this child trying to control my life. I have so so little going on outside my home and I have probably finally met the live of my life where I am treated with such kindness, respect and love and my son kicks off.. again!!
Im emotional tonight as I’ve just received another tirade of verbal abuse but am I being unreasonable here???

OP posts:
Anonanonay · Today 00:21

Gottaquestion · Today 00:04

The son is abusive. He's already losing relationships with his siblings because of it. He may not have so many friends to hang out with because of it.

At 16 he's not quite an adult, but he's certainly old enough to know better, behave better and manage better. All the posters supporting him, encouraging OP to curtail her life and allow him to get what he wants by these abusive behaviours - it's really not healthy. Imagine what that teaches him about relationships and how to behave in the future. Yes, he's likely very unhappy and possibly has absorbed some trauma etc from his father. But she's done her best and by now he's too old to insist he goes to therapy and engages with it, so if he's not willing to change, then kind but firm parenting is IMO by far better than pandering to his abusive and controlling behaviours.

You are doing absolutely nothing wrong, @creatorcure , and I hope you are able to continue the loving relationship you've found.

Yup. Coercive control in the making. The kid doesn't like another man having his mum's attention, decides it's okay to make everyone miserable.

Calliopespa · Today 00:28

I'm just going to be honest op: I would have hated this when I was 16.

OneWarmHazelQuail · Today 00:31

creatorcure · Yesterday 20:40

I live an hour away from
my partner of a year. We see one another overnight once per week for 24-36 hours and then have a coffee/ walk on an evening midweek .
My 16 year old child has an issue with this. He refuses to engage in any activity outside the home except for walking the dog. Doesn’t meet friends , just wants me around all the time and has just accused me f being a shit mother essentially and asked why I had kids when’
im always gone’. My
other kids are thrilled for me . I’ve solo
parented all my life .. even when married but have done it completely on my own for the last eight years where I was fully
committed to my children and my work to support them.
I am sick to death of this child trying to control my life. I have so so little going on outside my home and I have probably finally met the live of my life where I am treated with such kindness, respect and love and my son kicks off.. again!!
Im emotional tonight as I’ve just received another tirade of verbal abuse but am I being unreasonable here???

24 to 36 hours at the weekend, along with 1 weekday is in reality quite a lot. He's 16 but sounds immature for his age...perhaps he needs more support than he's getting at the moment.

If he's not going out, he might be going through something? Having a sibling around is very different from the support offered by a parent.

Anyahyacinth · Today 01:02

I don't think it's controlling to want your parent to be around. I'd feel odd if this had been my childhood..my mother disappearing for days to be with her fella.

I'd look around and not see that happening in other families and feel all sorts of wrong and unlovable.

This is your obligation OP, it's not your DS' role to give your new relationship a special path and acceptance...you are his parent he isn’t your pal

sittingonabeach · Today 01:21

You say he is awful to his siblings but then expect them to look after him when you go to your partner’s

Firefly1987 · Today 01:58

hootingowls · Yesterday 22:21

I can’t believe some of these replies, he’s 16 not 6.
I moved out at 16 and became a mother myself.
Stop infantilising him and let him grow up and stop letting him dictate your life.

Times change. My friends dated 22 year old men at 16, we wouldn't say that was ok now. Having a baby in your teens isn't great either yet everyone who did it on MN is strangely proud of it and thinks it shows how "mature" they were.

Agapornis · Today 02:40

It's annoying how many posters have clearly not read your updates about years of abuse, bad behaviour (perhaps a personality disorder if it started age 2?) and attempts at support and therapy. I hope he's engaging in school and planning to go to uni so you can move on from the years of shit.

If he respects/tries to have a relationship with your eldest daughter, perhaps therapy for the two of them together would make him engage? Though it's obviously not her job to fix him.

StMarie4me · Today 02:50

creatorcure · Yesterday 21:23

To answer some questions .. he lashes out if he doesn’t get his own way, if I spend time With my other children / friends/ colleagues . He tries to control where I go, what I watch on tv, what i drink, where I socialise, what time I come home, when intake my annual leave , what inspemdy
money on ,
where we go on holidays , when we book holidays, our family shop , the list goes on and on . His father was so eerily similar .
When he is asked to go with a friend, his godmothers or cousins , he leaves without a backward
glance and has the best time but when I’m away, he texts and rings continuously .
TBH Im sure this romantic relationship will
fall apart as it’s not worth the stress and trouble he brings to all the different relationships I have with family and friends so I expect a romantic one, will
send him and
me over the edge eventually

Well you should have started parenting him much sooner than this, and sorted out who is the parent and who is the child! How on earth are you at the point where he thinks he can control what you spend your money on? Or is this all hyperbole like your last sentence?

Bibiddi · Today 03:12

36 hours is a long time to be away from your child (yes he is a child) every week just so you can rendezvous with your boyfriend.
if it was a once off or special occasion sure 💯 go for it.. but to go MIA every weekend is not normal.
He is also at an age where he is very aware and very uncomfortable with what these weekends really are.

Everyone constantly telling him how much he like his father in such an unflattering way, particularly considering the history with his dad. Is extremely damaging to his sense of self and development. I think this may be the underlying issue here and it is triggering you.

I’m sorry you have had such a rough time but you need to work through your issues with your ex and see your son as his own person

AmusedMoose · Today 03:53

DrinkFeckArseBrick · Yesterday 22:35

Hi OP

I think you should delete your post and start a new one with all the details in as people will just reply to the first without reading your updates.

This isn't about a boy who is worried about his mum dating. This is about a boy who is showing abusive and controlling behaviour towards you and your family, who needs help but is refusing to engage, and his behaviour around you staying out for the night is a symptom of this rather than the cause

Agreed

Bigcat25 · Today 03:57

It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Maybe make it 8 or 10 hrs including driving, and or do an overnight every third weekend or so. What you describe is 24 hrs, but 36 is obviously even longer. Can you lower the intensity unitl he's 2-3 years older?

NoisyViewer · Today 04:12

You need to stick to your guns but I would also make special effort to spend time with him to. Stop giving oxygen to his control. He doesn’t get to pick family holidays if you’re paying for it that decision is yours and your kids are at an age they can choose to go on it or not. My 21 & 16yo have never been asked where they’d like to go. Unless it was my oldest 18th and 21st where the gift we gave was a weekend away.

dontcookwontcook · Today 04:13

creatorcure · Yesterday 22:12

He has controlled my
life since the age of two. I think you’ve missed the entire point @narsa

Poor kid
do u have anything nice to say about him at all

Cardamomandlemons · Today 04:18

creatorcure · Yesterday 21:40

I don’t want a man in
my children’s home or indeed my
Home while
my children are there .

I think this is contradictory
If he is old enough to be left alone, he is also old enough to meet your long term partner once a week. I'm not saying to send them camping unsupervised! But you're always around and your 16 year old can certainly look out for himself...

FizzyPopLove · Today 04:27

creatorcure · Yesterday 20:59

It does sound awful that I am sick of him
trying to control my
life but this is just another area of my
life that my son tries to control and im
exhausted from it and feel completely controlled and drained from his behaviour. He wants everything in the home on his terms including being abusive to us all and the. When I give in and don’t go to my partners because he wants me literally sitting beside him for the day and night , he may decide to go out and meet friends .

This is drip feeding.

Is he controlling your life because he wants his mum around?

Why don’t you try it for a few weeks? Be around all the time. Don’t go away.

Why is it you that’s always away over night and not your partner away from him home visiting you?

NoisyViewer · Today 04:28

creatorcure · Yesterday 21:40

I don’t want a man in
my children’s home or indeed my
Home while
my children are there .

Why? If this man is a serious partner. Do you not trust him? This is odd and makes me wonder if you have trust issues or you think something is off with your partner. if it’s the former I’m starting to see where your sons issues may come from. It’s weird you wouldn’t want a man you’re serious about in your home. Your son is struggling and being left with siblings he doesn’t get on with (who’s at fault for that is irrelevant) you associate your son with your ex. Does he look like the ex, have you subconsciously treated him differently because of certain traits. If I was you I wouldn’t reduce the time spent with your partner but I would take it in turns of where you stay. If he stays at yours the weekend then I’d go to him in the week for your meal and walk. Your son isn’t hostile to your partner he gets on with him. Show you’re listiening and compromising

FizzyPopLove · Today 04:29

StMarie4me · Today 02:50

Well you should have started parenting him much sooner than this, and sorted out who is the parent and who is the child! How on earth are you at the point where he thinks he can control what you spend your money on? Or is this all hyperbole like your last sentence?

Very simplistic response.

What is the point of shoulda woulda coulda? Really really unhelpful.

Zanatdy · Today 04:36

This is a much bigger problem that the first post suggests. It is not normal he is trying to control every aspect of your life. I wouldn’t stop the visits completely, but maybe reduce and have the bf come over to you. It’s not right or normal that your son is trying to control every aspect of your life. He needs to be socialising more with kids his own age and be less reliant on you.

Whilst I think 16 is fine to be left alone, my DD is 18 and doesn’t go out much and I wouldn’t leave her on her own half the weekend every weekend. I wouldn’t enjoy myself as i’d feel bad. Yes it has meant putting my own life on hold, as i’d have thought by 18 she would have her own life etc, but she’s a real home bod and relies on me for company.

Imisschampagne · Today 04:53

tomorrowfollowstoday · Yesterday 20:53

It is not positive parenting to leave a 16yo every week to spend time at your boyfriend's, no.

Children know when they are being appropriately prioritised. If you had to leave him for work he'd understand.

Appropriately prioritised … I mean. OP won’t have her kids around forever. She can’t stop all her life for the kids. She is not only a mother and martyr but a woman too.

thr son is not alone, his siblings are around.

reading the posts I’m shocked. Here they would absolutely advise you for a therapist. What was when he was smaller? With 16 I would still try to get him into a program. If not, I honestly would try to get him out. OP, that’s not fair to your other kids as well if he’s abusing them too. You can’t give up your own life and make your other kids suffer because of your sons deeply disturbing and antisocial behavior.

was he ever evaluated by a child psychologist? Have you contacted organisations who specialise in such cases?

Imisschampagne · Today 05:01

Can’t edit anymore - but this maybe: https://www.respectyps.org.uk/services/directory

I would contact organizations and get more info and support. This qualifies as violent and abusive behavior towards you and your other kids. If you say your husband was the same - he was abusive. Have your children gone to therapy after the separation?

Directory | Respect Young People's Service

National Child/Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA) Service Directory from Respect Young People's Service

https://www.respectyps.org.uk/services/directory

PollyBell · Today 05:09

Imisschampagne · Today 04:53

Appropriately prioritised … I mean. OP won’t have her kids around forever. She can’t stop all her life for the kids. She is not only a mother and martyr but a woman too.

thr son is not alone, his siblings are around.

reading the posts I’m shocked. Here they would absolutely advise you for a therapist. What was when he was smaller? With 16 I would still try to get him into a program. If not, I honestly would try to get him out. OP, that’s not fair to your other kids as well if he’s abusing them too. You can’t give up your own life and make your other kids suffer because of your sons deeply disturbing and antisocial behavior.

was he ever evaluated by a child psychologist? Have you contacted organisations who specialise in such cases?

Edited

How is someone having children a martyr, it is a choice and doesn't stop when they don't meet your needs anymore so anyone who thinks that should really put their violin away

BobTheTeckel · Today 05:16

I think your romance is a secondary issue here. If you had a partner who behaved like DS, there'd be a chorus of LTB. He is controlling and that cannot be allowed to continue.

Fleurdavril · Today 05:24

It's a bit late in the day as your son has clearly established himself as The Authority controlling you and your every movement, but... time to seriously start pushing back against his coercive control and interference in your life. It's not healthy for him or anyone around him to be allowed to continue in this manner.

Gently but firmly, bit by bit, stop acceding to his commands and demands. Maybe start by insisting on your choice of TV program. If that involves buying a new TV for your bedroom, do so. Tell him that you'll book the holiday when you're ready to. Small decisions that you stick to. Prepare for tantrums; stay firm and calm.

If there is some way you can get him to a therapist, please do. He sounds as though he needs outside professional support to deal with his feelings, whether they stem from insecurity, need to dominate, eruptive anger impulses or all combined.

Do you have any leverage, things he really wants to do for example, which you could use as a privilege which can be withdrawn? Some bargaining might be in order.

Please talk to your GP about your son's behaviour and see if you can be referred for free sessions with a counsellor to get support for yourself in developing strategies (CBT possibly?). Or if you can afford it, pay for sessions if the NHS is not viable (eg too long a wait).

Left to continue like this, your son will continue dominating you for many years to come and possibly escalate; if / when he does eventually find his own relationship, he'll likely be abusing and coercively controlling his partner.

If possible, get your other two DC on board with refusing to be abused and dominated by youngest DS. They must be pretty exhausted and fed up with his abusive behaviour. And is it remotely possible that he could spend some time with his father?

As for your new partner, do not be bullied into giving up that area of your life. It sounds as though your DC3 is seething with rage at your having any private life; but all parents deserve private lives - they are not slaves to their children. You do not have to be at his beck and call. If you give in and give up, your son will view it as a win. He'll repeat the behaviour again.

Switch off your phone when away. You can contact your other children by text from your partner's phone if you feel the need to check in. Just one or two check-i calls to DC3 should suffice while you are away. Your son needs encouragement to develop his own social life and to separate from you.

I think perhaps mixing up the times you and partner see one another might be a good idea so that your son doesn't develop a weekly build-up of rage as he waits for the weekend to come round. Perhaps invite your partner over more frequently during the week to have dinner, watch a show; or spend the evening out with him but be home to say goodnight to your DC3. Have him over for Sunday breakfast, for example. Make your partner a more integrated, fluid part of your life. Let your DC3 know he is not in charge and your partner is here to stay. That you are entitled to and seizing with both hands a private life and some adult pleasure.

Wishing you luck in this.

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · Today 05:25

Sorry to hear things are tough. With kindness, I don’t leave my 16 year old over night yet. I like to be around as feel they’re still quite needy, especially boys. I went to a funeral for the day last weekend and felt quite guilty. Mine were genuinely happy to happy us home after one long day.

You could maybe tell him you have overlooked how he might feel and want to make him feel more secure. Could your partner come to you?

You can sort this. 16 is still just a baby. He wants his mum around. He misses you. Don’t push him away.x

tomorrowfollowstoday · Today 05:25

isthisnormal1971 · Yesterday 22:39

Only on mums net. The woman has been solo parenting for years and goes away 1 night . Parents I know are away more every week working in London and leaving kids with grand parents or Nannie’s. Get a grip

Leaving children with a nanny or grandparents would be different - that is organised childcare.

BUT there have been many major drip feeds on the thread since I posted so I am not sure posts from the beginning of the discussion are even relevant now.

Swipe left for the next trending thread