Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Parents of adult children

Wondering how to stop worrying about your grown child? Speak to others in our Parents of Adult Children forum.

He always blames me

10 replies

Kemco · 25/01/2024 15:40

I have an adult son, as a child he was so loving & brought up well & with so much respect. I suffer with ptsd after losing my father. My son has never spent Xmas day with me for years always puts others before his mum. Xmas just gone my card was posted though my door on New Year’s Eve with money in it. The verse on the card was in no way how he cares for me, as he just dosnt careless especially with his new girlfriend. I messaged him thanks for card but still no reply. I’ve sat and thought about his behavior as I keep thinking what have I done too be treated like this. When I do see him he has a go at me calling me & pulling me down. Telling me I’m an embarrassment too him. No I’ve thought this is narcissistic behaviour but now I’m thinking is this coercive control. I need advice as this is making me sick he’s not the som I raised up alone & his new girlfriend is very ignorant. I cannot blame her for the way he’s treating me, but he’s definitely changed even for the worst since they’ve been together. One day he said he’s got people watching me & call him when they see me. Certainly not right this is controlling behaviour. Can someone relate too this 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
CakedUpHigh · 25/01/2024 16:41

Sounds difficult. Does your son usually give you money as a gift? That's quite unusual. Did you send him a card and gift for Christmas?

Burntouted · 07/02/2024 13:36

Based on this post, I don't see any issues with how he's treating you. However, it seems like you may come off as entitled, demanding, ungrateful, and you might want to have most of his attention. It would be helpful to have more examples for better understanding.

Receiving a card with money in the mail is not unusual. It's possible that he sent it on time, but it arrived late, which happens frequently. You seem upset about the card not being what you would choose for yourself or how you would send it. What kind of response were you expecting after thanking him for the card? He thought of you by sending a card and money, yet you feel he doesn't care.

It appears that you may not be the parent you thought you were, and this could be why he responds to you in a certain way. He may only be able to handle you in small amounts because of this.

It's possible that you are difficult to deal with, and your behavior might embarrass him. When he visits, it seems like you possibly act out and are not appropriate.

To be honest, you come across as controlling and manipulative. Instead of trying to guilt trip or argue with him, listen to him and ask questions to understand why he treats you the way he does. Reflect on your own actions. Avoid making everything about yourself.

He is no longer a young boy under your guidance; he is an adult with his own life. He is his own person. If you are insulting him or telling him that he is not the person you raised, stop doing that.

Perhaps he is exactly who you raised him to be.

Sometimes parents receive the treatment they deserve from their children. Parents can often contribute to the problem.

If you don't have any hobbies, friends, interests, or goals, I would suggest finding some.

Theunamedcat · 07/02/2024 13:38

So he degrades you calls you an embarrassment and tells you he has people watching you and you think your the problem?

You need therapy

HollyJollyHolidays · 07/02/2024 13:38

Burntouted · 07/02/2024 13:36

Based on this post, I don't see any issues with how he's treating you. However, it seems like you may come off as entitled, demanding, ungrateful, and you might want to have most of his attention. It would be helpful to have more examples for better understanding.

Receiving a card with money in the mail is not unusual. It's possible that he sent it on time, but it arrived late, which happens frequently. You seem upset about the card not being what you would choose for yourself or how you would send it. What kind of response were you expecting after thanking him for the card? He thought of you by sending a card and money, yet you feel he doesn't care.

It appears that you may not be the parent you thought you were, and this could be why he responds to you in a certain way. He may only be able to handle you in small amounts because of this.

It's possible that you are difficult to deal with, and your behavior might embarrass him. When he visits, it seems like you possibly act out and are not appropriate.

To be honest, you come across as controlling and manipulative. Instead of trying to guilt trip or argue with him, listen to him and ask questions to understand why he treats you the way he does. Reflect on your own actions. Avoid making everything about yourself.

He is no longer a young boy under your guidance; he is an adult with his own life. He is his own person. If you are insulting him or telling him that he is not the person you raised, stop doing that.

Perhaps he is exactly who you raised him to be.

Sometimes parents receive the treatment they deserve from their children. Parents can often contribute to the problem.

If you don't have any hobbies, friends, interests, or goals, I would suggest finding some.

How did you arrive at all this from the op’s post?

Dexterrolledoffthesofa · 07/02/2024 13:55

Burntouted · 07/02/2024 13:36

Based on this post, I don't see any issues with how he's treating you. However, it seems like you may come off as entitled, demanding, ungrateful, and you might want to have most of his attention. It would be helpful to have more examples for better understanding.

Receiving a card with money in the mail is not unusual. It's possible that he sent it on time, but it arrived late, which happens frequently. You seem upset about the card not being what you would choose for yourself or how you would send it. What kind of response were you expecting after thanking him for the card? He thought of you by sending a card and money, yet you feel he doesn't care.

It appears that you may not be the parent you thought you were, and this could be why he responds to you in a certain way. He may only be able to handle you in small amounts because of this.

It's possible that you are difficult to deal with, and your behavior might embarrass him. When he visits, it seems like you possibly act out and are not appropriate.

To be honest, you come across as controlling and manipulative. Instead of trying to guilt trip or argue with him, listen to him and ask questions to understand why he treats you the way he does. Reflect on your own actions. Avoid making everything about yourself.

He is no longer a young boy under your guidance; he is an adult with his own life. He is his own person. If you are insulting him or telling him that he is not the person you raised, stop doing that.

Perhaps he is exactly who you raised him to be.

Sometimes parents receive the treatment they deserve from their children. Parents can often contribute to the problem.

If you don't have any hobbies, friends, interests, or goals, I would suggest finding some.

I beg your pardon??????

Burntouted · 07/02/2024 14:21

Unless he is threatening op..

Perhaps he is genuinely concerned about op for various reasons and legitimate concerns, and asked others to watch them and alert him if they witness anything call worthy..

Perhaps it isn't as op describes.. op does suffer from Ptsd..and perhaps depression after the lost of their father (condolences)...and maybe he is worried

If he is actually threatening op, the police needs to be involved, and perhaps an alternate residence

Burntouted · 07/02/2024 15:53

I have an adult son, as a child he was so loving & brought up well & with so much respect. I suffer with ptsd after losing my father.

condolences.

My son has never spent Xmas day with me for years

If he visits and calls often during the entire year...

You're not entitled to this.. Would be nice, but perhaps there are reasons why he doesn't. Perhaps he'd rather spend it with others... and maybe spending it with you would be too much on him. Perhaps it would adversely affect his mental health... especially if he's struggling as well.

always puts others before his mum.

In what way?? He sounds like he prioritizes you, perhaps just not in the order, in way you'd hope, in the manner you'd hope. He can prioritize others as well as you. He has other relationships in his life that need nurturing as well. Also, He should prioritize himself and overall, well-being first.

Xmas just gone my card was posted though my door on New Year’s Eve with money in it.

Perhaps he sent it on time, and it just arrived late... What is wrong with him gifting you money?

The verse on the card was in no way how he cares for me,

What did it say? What verse were you hoping for? He thought of you, sent you a card ( verse that wasn't to your liking) and gifted you. is that not showing he cares??

as he just dosnt careless especially with his new girlfriend.

He possibly does. You just are sharing him with others now, and maybe that's upsetting for you... because perhaps it was just the two of you primarily alone for some time. He has become an adult, branched out and is living his life... Perhaps you are suffering from "empty nest" syndrome as well.

I messaged him thanks for card but still no reply.

Did the message include other things, or was it a simple "Thank you'?. if it was just thank you... What reply were you hoping for?? Perhaps he was busy or just didn't feel like conversing with you at that time.

I’ve sat and thought about his behavior as I keep thinking what have I done too be treated like this.

Perhaps therapy would be beneficial and could bring clarity if you're truly unaware... of course, if he is in agreement, he could attend a session with you. Perhaps it could help the both of you.

When I do see him he has a go at me calling me & pulling me down.

How? What happens during these visits?

Telling me I’m an embarrassment too him.

Maybe therapy for the both of you could address this.. it may be some of your behaviors and actions.. Sometimes children see their parents as embarrassments , and are embarrassed by them.. Perhaps he thought you were cool growing up, and is feeling embarrassed some moments now.. Have you asked him what he means by this??

No I’ve thought this is narcissistic behaviour but now I’m thinking is this coercive control.

I need advice as this is making me sick he’s not the som I raised up alone & his new girlfriend is very ignorant.

How is she ignorant??

I cannot blame her for the way he’s treating me, but he’s definitely changed even for the worst since they’ve been together.

Worse how?? Do you define "the worse" as him not spending as much time with you as you'd like??

One day he said he’s got people watching me & call him when they see me.

Perhaps out of concern and worry?? Maybe he's very concerned about you not being well or something.. especially if you're primarily alone, and perhaps if you are a homebody.

Certainly not right this is controlling behaviour. Can someone relate too this

Burntouted · 07/02/2024 16:19

also op... you've never given any context on what he is "always blaming you" for?

MyDarlingWhatIfYouFly · 07/02/2024 17:01

Burntouted · 07/02/2024 13:36

Based on this post, I don't see any issues with how he's treating you. However, it seems like you may come off as entitled, demanding, ungrateful, and you might want to have most of his attention. It would be helpful to have more examples for better understanding.

Receiving a card with money in the mail is not unusual. It's possible that he sent it on time, but it arrived late, which happens frequently. You seem upset about the card not being what you would choose for yourself or how you would send it. What kind of response were you expecting after thanking him for the card? He thought of you by sending a card and money, yet you feel he doesn't care.

It appears that you may not be the parent you thought you were, and this could be why he responds to you in a certain way. He may only be able to handle you in small amounts because of this.

It's possible that you are difficult to deal with, and your behavior might embarrass him. When he visits, it seems like you possibly act out and are not appropriate.

To be honest, you come across as controlling and manipulative. Instead of trying to guilt trip or argue with him, listen to him and ask questions to understand why he treats you the way he does. Reflect on your own actions. Avoid making everything about yourself.

He is no longer a young boy under your guidance; he is an adult with his own life. He is his own person. If you are insulting him or telling him that he is not the person you raised, stop doing that.

Perhaps he is exactly who you raised him to be.

Sometimes parents receive the treatment they deserve from their children. Parents can often contribute to the problem.

If you don't have any hobbies, friends, interests, or goals, I would suggest finding some.

Looks like the girlfriend has found this thread

LeoTheLeopard · 08/02/2024 11:37

I would love to hear his side of this.

My PIL always said their sons were brought up well. Actually, no they weren’t: they were brought up to be contemptuous of women, and that has played out in all their relationships hence the divorces, and why they all have to live alone now in their 50’s.
Sometimes we as parents have massive blind spots when it comes to the values we pass on to the children. And that’s before you go near the fact that children grow up and become adults doing their own thing regardless of anything we might say.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page