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my abusive son

9 replies

MyWitzEnd · 18/06/2019 08:59

Firstly, apologies, I didn't know which section to put this. I have 3 sons, and the middle one who is 32 moved back into my home around 4 years ago. Now the issue is, I told him he could move back to get himself on his feet, but failed to give him a time to do so. I believe he has mental health issues, depression at least. He also has a drink issue and anger management issues. The worst thing about him though is that he refuses to take any responsibility for anything that happens around him. He thinks things happen TO him, not because of him.

In the last year he has lost 3 well paid (£45k a year) jobs, because the line managers were incompetent (yeah right). He usually ends up having a strop and getting angry at the wrong person. If he doesn't feel like going to work, he stays in bed. The last job, he had a week off three weeks in. He didn't tell me he was sacked - but I will come back to that.

He has also lost 2 girlfriends this year, both due to anger. I went on holiday with him at Christmas, and experienced his rage. He actually screamed at me in the street because I flapped over a wasp (I have an Epipen and didn't fancy Christmas in a Tenerife hospital). Anyway, I knew then of the rage, and how it was unprovoked. He was apologetic the next day, not that that helped much.

He couldn't get a proper job from early December until May, so did some care work. In that time, due to zero hours contracts, and low pay, I didn't take any board. Then he got a new job, and for a few weeks paid £150 a week. I didn't know that he had lost this job (a month in), as we keep different hours, and he does shifts, so it is hard to know.

He came home last night really drunk. I asked if he had been to work, and he said he had gone back to the care work, as the manager at the new job was unreasonable, and refused to give him a CO2 monitor or something like that. Again, not his fault, never is, and we are all supposed to ride the pity train. I told him that he couldn't keep on losing jobs, or nobody would employ him, and besides, I couldn't keep him for nothing.

He went mad, and said it was my fault, as I had given birth to him. He then said that he would be dead by morning, and was going to flip his car on the motorway. He threw his phone down, and took off in his car (yes I know I should have phoned the police, I didn't, and don't need judging as I was completely screwed up thinking he had threatened suicide, and had a plan how and that took up all of my head space).

About ten minutes later he came back, and began screaming at me again, saying that I had MADE him drive his car drunk and angry, and that was unforgivable of me, and he was done with me for that. Oddly, he began crashing round the kitchen making himself some tea. I sat here with my partner, both of us terrified. I knew that calling the police at that point would have made the situation a whole lot worse, as he would have been arrested and charged. He was up on a DV charge last year, but got acquitted as his g/f didn't show for court.

I messaged his dad, who said that he had walked on eggshells for years and hadn't seen him since an anger episode at his house bbq a few weeks back. His advice was kick him out. My older son's advice is the same.

I am meant to be at work today, but have had to ring in as I've had no sleep. He is upstairs sleeping like a baby.

I think he needs medical help, the AA, and a bedsit / flat of his own. I am scared though that if I push him to this, he will commit suicide. Threatening it last night and taking off, where he could have also killed innocent people on the road was unforgivable. I know I have enabled his behaviour, I don't need to be told that. I really need some advice on what to do next. I think he is due at the care job around 11, then is going for a bike ride (there is another thing, no money to pay board, but paid out £4k on a fancy bike).

Should I wait till he goes out, black bag him, change all the locks and hope he doesn't smash my house up (he doesn't have form for that) OR give him until the weekend, OR give him a month? Or something else?

Thank you for reading and sticking with this.

OP posts:
Gazelda · 18/06/2019 09:30

I wouldn't bag his things up.
Tell him he scared you and you deserve to feel safe in your home.
I'd tell him he has 1 month to find alternative accommodation.
In the meantime, you'll help him explore any sources of help - medication for his erratic mood, counselling for his anger, job coach to find a career that fulfils him.
But the very first sign of abusive behaviour will result in his bags bring packed.
You love him, but he makes home an unhappy place. He seems unhappy and you want him to build a better life for himself.

dearohdearohdear9 · 18/06/2019 09:37

Im sure that others with more knowledge than I will be along soon, until then pop over to

www.outofthefog.net/forum/index.php

Personally I would pack up his bags and change the locks. Perhaps even put a deposit down on a bedsit for him if your financial circumstances are up to it.

This site has some useful advice too www.empoweringparents.com/article/rules-boundaries-and-older-children-part-ii-in-response-to-questions-about-older-children-living-at-home/

Its soul destroying to live with abuse from your adult child, sending hugs.

newmomof1 · 18/06/2019 09:47

I would try and have a sit down conversation with him - tell him he needs to go but you're happy to give him a month/weeks rent free to enable him to save a deposit on a rental property.

However you must tell him how he's made you feel, and tell him there are conditions.
He must:

  • not drink OR not come anywhere near your home when he's had a drink
  • not raise his voice in your home
  • go and see the doctor and ask for help with his anger
  • help with chores around the house

If he does not agree to any of the conditions, or breaches them, he will be asked to leave the house immediately and, if necessary, the police will be called to remove him.

MyWitzEnd · 18/06/2019 12:35

Thank you for your messages, very much appreciated. I called him down and said he had 2 weeks, and within that time if he came in the house with a drink in him, was abusive, shouting, accusing, or anything disruptive then I would call the police to take him straight out. I told him his suicide threat was the single worst thing I had heard in my life, and he was never ever to do that again. He responded, as he always has by blaming me for making him say it, and making him drive drunk. I gave him my full opinion on how a 31yr old man is responsible for his own actions. Anyway, he agreed to move out and has now gone back to bed. I've a feeling this isn't over.

OP posts:
SnowdropFox · 18/06/2019 19:08

I hope things settling OP, it's a frustrating place to be! You've absolutely done the right thing otherwise you will be stuck in the same cycle of him using and abusing you and your home. You can only sign post and guide him, as you are well aware he's an adult and has to take responsibility for his own actions. You can only be there to pick up the pieces, from afar.

Once he's moved out, I'd organise to meet him for lunch in a cafe or something. Relaxed enough but you will be able to chat and keeps tabs on him, offer advice when needed. But key to this is it would be on neutral ground in public so the second he gets abusive you can walk away. And do that. No matter the threats, get up and walk out "I won't talk to you when you are aggressive like this" and let him cool off.

Please please please if he drink drives report it. How awful would you feel if he kills someone? He is responsible for his own actions and is gutting as it would to do as a parent, you can't allow him to put himself and others in danger.

Good luck! Report back so we know how you're doing and if he does move out!

surreygirl1987 · 18/06/2019 19:42

I am so sorry you are going through this. As someone of a similar age who has anger issues myself (and whom twnds to blame others rather than myself) I would suggest that part of his lashing out is deep resentment of himself and discontent with who he is. Obviously not an excuse but might help you understand what may be part of his depression.
I wouldn't bag all his things and kick him out either but I see you've already called him anyway. I'd reiterate how much you love him, that he really terrified you, that you want to be there for him but he has to treat you with respect, and explain that you will help him to get help.
I have a friend whose sister is behaving in a similar way to your son. It is really rough on the entire family but the parents in particular. I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. I'm also sorry he's in such a bad place.
Finally, you mentioned you have 3 sons... are they close with each other? Do the other two know any more about what he's going though? Would it be worth them having a heart to heart Or do they not have that sortnof relationship?

jelly79 · 19/06/2019 18:22

Oh this sounds awful but sounds like you have handled it really well. I hope your partner, your other sons and his dad will all support you so you are not dealing with this alone?

Aquamarine1029 · 19/06/2019 18:27

Get him out of your home and change the locks before he assaults or kills you. You ARE NOT responsible for him, his behaviour, and his shit choices. Tough love is the only option here.

newmomof1 · 22/06/2019 16:53

Hi OP,

Just checking in to see how you are? Hope things have improved with your son x

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