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Should I ask if my son would like to send him mum a Mother’s Day Card?

8 replies

malgrat78 · 11/03/2020 11:54

I am back again for some more advice please. I have posted several times now asking for advice concerning my 12 year old son who is soon to be 13. My Son is now living with me full time as his mother started a relationship with a drug addict & moved him in. My son took an instant dislike to him. Social services had an anonymous report regarding my son’s wellbeing at which point I started having my son stay with me more & more importantly this is what my son wanted. His stuff started going missing, there were drug dealers going to the house & his mum was trying to emotionally blackmail him to stay at hers more for what I now believe was for financial reasons. It was a total mess what happened. His mum tried to get my son to like this guy & to hug him. I was originally told that the boyfriend was on a methadone treatment plan & I then found out he had been admitted to hospital after smoking crack cocaine & he admitted to smoking it every day as well as Heroin. His mum also told her elder Daughter that he did smoke crack but not in the house. All the conversations I had with his mum was full of lies & how she was so hard done by & nothing was her fault but everyone else’s. It was a really stressful end to last year for everyone concerned.

I am now been told by her family that she is also on drugs, has been seen begging & to keep my Son away from her house. My son doesn’t want anything to do with her & blocked her number a couple of months ago. He has not seen his mum since Christmas Eve & has not spoken to her in about 2 months since he blocked her number. She has my house phone number & mobile, but she hasn’t tried contacting me. She has an older Daughter who also hasn’t heard anything from her in a while & the last thing she heard was that her mum had told a family member that she just wants to be left alone with her boyfriend.

I arranged to see my doctor a couple of weeks ago to see if he thought my son could benefit from counselling. He gave me 2 organisations who I have contacted & one has accepted my Son & I am waiting for the first assessment. My son is generally doing good. He has just had 100% attendance at school over the last term which is amazing as it used to be down in the 80% range. He rarely speaks about his mum & as I say he appears to be dealing with things ok, but I would like him to talk to someone more qualified than me. I do sit down regularly with him & talk about how he currently feels & reminding him that what has happened has nothing to do with, he didn’t cause any of it.

The reason I am posting is because I have realised Mothers day is coming up & I am not sure how to deal with this as I think it maybe a difficult time for him. Someone at work has suggested that maybe ask him if he wants to send his mum a Mother’s day card. Personally, I don’t this would be a good idea. Things are good as they are & I think if he did this it might push her into communicating with him & until she is clean, I don’t this would be in his best interest.

Should I at least ask him if he would like to? However, knowing my son the danger in doing this would be that he would then feel guilty if he didn’t.

I have no idea what to do for the best?

OP posts:
Batqueen · 11/03/2020 12:09

Could you suggest that if he wants to he writes her one but holds it back and then gives it to her when (if) she is sober? Then he can feel that he has done something and will be able to show that she was in his thoughts on the day but doesn’t risk her getting in touch as it isn’t sent until she has earnt the right to have contact again - if she ever does.

malgrat78 · 11/03/2020 12:23

@batqueen

Could you suggest that if he wants to he writes her one but holds it back and then gives it to her when (if) she is sober? Then he can feel that he has done something and will be able to show that she was in his thoughts on the day but doesn’t risk her getting in touch as it isn’t sent until she has earnt the right to have contact again - if she ever does.

Yes this could be a good idea thanks.

OP posts:
purpleboy · 11/03/2020 13:15

I'd agree with Batqueen. Do you think she is likely to get in touch around Mother's Day anyway?

Goingtobeoldearly · 11/03/2020 13:36

At this age I'm sure he will know it's mothers day...does he open up to you? Would he feel comfortable and know that he could mention his mum to you? I'm saying this because he most likey will know and maybe you should wait for him to bring it up? He will probably have a range of emotions when he thinks about her, including anger and sadness and he may even feel guilt for the way he is at the moment. Maybe let him take the lead?

malgrat78 · 11/03/2020 13:48

@Goingtobeoldearly

At this age I'm sure he will know it's mothers day...does he open up to you? Would he feel comfortable and know that he could mention his mum to you? I'm saying this because he most likey will know and maybe you should wait for him to bring it up? He will probably have a range of emotions when he thinks about her, including anger and sadness and he may even feel guilt for the way he is at the moment. Maybe let him take the lead?

We have a very good relationship & he opens up to me about everything or at least it appears that he does. I always know when there's something on his mind & I will then sit down & ask him to open up & he does. He definitely knows that it is Mothers day soon as we have walked past the cards already on display in Asda. I get the feeling that he just wants the day to pass without fuss so maybe you're right & it would be best to wait for him to bring it up which he would if he felt like he needed to. This was my original thinking before someone suggested that he may want to get his mum a card.

OP posts:
malgrat78 · 11/03/2020 13:53

@purpleboy

I'd agree with Batqueen. Do you think she is likely to get in touch around Mother's Day anyway?

She is very self cantered & she blamed my son for me limiting him staying over at her house. She used to say that his behaviour made her feel suicidal so I honestly wouldn't be surprised if she didn't get in touch. She truly believes that everyone else is to blame including my son for her actions.

OP posts:
purpleboy · 11/03/2020 14:05

Follow his lead then, you know him best. You've done a great job in protecting him so far. Trust your instincts they seem to have done you well.

malgrat78 · 11/03/2020 14:17

@purpleboy

Follow his lead then, you know him best. You've done a great job in protecting him so far. Trust your instincts they seem to have done you well.

Thank you & yes I think that's the most sensible way. He may feel different next year but for this year I think it's best to follow his lead & let him bring the subject up if he wishes.

OP posts:
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