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Parents of adult children

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Son moving away

270 replies

Concernemum · 05/02/2024 10:40

My 22 yr old moved out of the family home in July to move in with his gf and her parents. Visits home have not happened very often. Now he has just dropped the bomb saying there moving to Brighton so she can go to uni. Have told him he always has a home here and doesn’t need to go with her but all am getting is but I want to. NOW before the “ he’s an adult “ posts start I know that but am hurting here big time

OP posts:
Soozy58 · 09/02/2024 00:01

Have to let him go. How many people do you know who are still with someone they went out with at 22? Not many. If you let him go he’ll come back when he’s more mature, older and ready. Don’t keep asking him, you’ll push him away. Just message him every now and then but not probing questions. It’s a phase they go through. Concentrate on looking after yourself and doing things for you.

RampantIvy · 09/02/2024 07:29

Julimia · 08/02/2024 23:31

I have read the post. How is it a total cut off

All of them?

TeamGeriatric · 09/02/2024 08:19

You just have to let him go and be there if it doesn't work out for him. I went off to uni at 18 and then came home again, at 26 went off and travelled around the world for a year and at 30 moved to Australia to be with my now husband. We currently live 5 mins from my Mum, but undoubtedly the 8.5 years I lived in Australia were hard for her. Kids always appreciate their parents more when they get older, just got to get through that difficult patch where many of them have much higher priorities than their parents.

purpleberries1 · 09/02/2024 08:29

I'm low contact with my parent and everything your son has done (limited contact, not introducing partner etc) are steps I took to disengage from the relationship with said parent. I even suspect some of the things you think he hasn't done/thought about are things he simply hasn't told you about.

Lovely13 · 09/02/2024 18:04

It is hard, have been through it. But keep telling yourself that you’ve done a good job as a parent to raise a young adult who feels confident to fly the nest and start his journey into independence.

Be positive in what you say to him about his girlfriend (regardless of what you’re thinking!) and his life choices. Don’t expect regular contact - boys, I have found, are fairly useless at that, unless they want something! Offer parental advice gently and be prepared to be less important in his life now.

I keep reminding myself that I didn’t raise children to be my companions in adulthood. But I enjoy those precious moments when I am with them again. It will hopefully all work out. And get better soon! 😍

threatmatrix · 09/02/2024 18:13

Concernemum · 05/02/2024 10:40

My 22 yr old moved out of the family home in July to move in with his gf and her parents. Visits home have not happened very often. Now he has just dropped the bomb saying there moving to Brighton so she can go to uni. Have told him he always has a home here and doesn’t need to go with her but all am getting is but I want to. NOW before the “ he’s an adult “ posts start I know that but am hurting here big time

Don’t worry it probably won’t last long.

DeeLusional · 09/02/2024 18:42

OP hasn't met gf or gf's parents. Seen any photos? Any actual evidence of gf other than DS's absence?

Starwind74 · 09/02/2024 19:22

I was wondering if the girlfriend exists. Is it possible that he could be in a same sex relationship, or the “girlfriend “could be an older woman or he just wants to be independent and live by himself and he
has not told you as he thinks you would disapprove?
All you can really do is say he can tell you anything and you will not be angry, and that he will always have a home with you.
Meanwhile try and make more of a life for yourself, pursue a hobby or join a club of some sort.
I wish you well OP.

ThatSillyMintOrca · 09/02/2024 19:29

If he’s already moved out to live with his gf and her family, he must be getting a lovely family home environment that’s either the same or (probably) better than what he had at home. His girlfriend didn’t move in with your family did she. So your reaction is probably OTT/ a way to convince yourself that you’re super close and will miss each other. But from what you’ve said at the start about you barely seeing him anyway, it’s probably unlikely.

angela1952 · 09/02/2024 19:37

My DD left home when she was 18 with no plans, got a job in a pub, couldn’t afford her food and rent and ended up back home a year later. We’d not disagreed before she left, she just wanted to make her own way. We’d always made it clear she could come back if she wanted to. Her life is sorted now, she has a good job etc etc and her own place.
Your son may find life is not what he hoped and come back, or he may not, it’s his life as others have said. Just make it clear that he can come home.

DeeLusional · 09/02/2024 19:39

Starwind74 · 09/02/2024 19:22

I was wondering if the girlfriend exists. Is it possible that he could be in a same sex relationship, or the “girlfriend “could be an older woman or he just wants to be independent and live by himself and he
has not told you as he thinks you would disapprove?
All you can really do is say he can tell you anything and you will not be angry, and that he will always have a home with you.
Meanwhile try and make more of a life for yourself, pursue a hobby or join a club of some sort.
I wish you well OP.

I thought maybe bf rather than gf.

lemming40 · 09/02/2024 19:47

Let him make his own path, he is an adult after all. Just be there to support him if he needs it.

Twentyfirstcenturymumma · 09/02/2024 20:05

@Concernemum I feel your pain, sadness, worry, sense of loss. This probably is not helped by having pneumonia, going through the menopause and it being February... long dark nights, miserable weather.

As others have said feel proud that you have brought your son up to form other close relationships and seek independence in his own way.
There is a condition known as 'failure to launch', when adult children fail to follow the 'normal way' of things for whatever reason, sometimes because of serious mental illness. So be thankful for your son, continue to be there for him as and when and find your own way forward... concentrate on getting physically better ftom debilitating pneumonia, and don't underestimate the value of phoning the Samaritans. They are fully trained, lovely people who give their time freely

oakleaffy · 09/02/2024 20:07

DeeLusional · 09/02/2024 19:39

I thought maybe bf rather than gf.

I saw one of what I assumed was OP's other threads about when her son had moved in with a GF.
OP says the partner is ''Definitely a girl''.
It's bizarre that the girl's parents drives the son to the OP's house.

OP at least has other children to distract her a bit.

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 09/02/2024 20:17

Moved out at 19 and learnt the hard way, which has served me well as I'm wiser for it.

He is a grown man OP, let him make his own mistakes.
When did you expect him to leave home?

When did you leave home?

Be supportive instead of pointing out the negatives. That will drive him away and stop him coming to visit.

Don't judge him bit let him know you're there for him.
Don't say things like "when things go wrong.... " as he'll just get defensive and want to prove you wrong.

pollymere · 09/02/2024 20:22

My final year at Uni, my Mum bought me a new bed in September which hadn't arrived by Christmas... Why is that relevant? In the time it took that bed to arrive I'd broken up with my long-term boyfriend, got with my best male friend and got engaged to him...

My poor Mum. She'd been planning to redecorate my room and instead she was helping plan my wedding. I never really came home from uni as I stayed in London to be with my fiancé who was still at Uni and we then got a flat near the Uni.

I was 21 when I got married, my DH was 22. My brother had returned from Uni and lived in the family home before getting his own place and I think my Mum thought I'd get engaged to LTB and move out in a couple of years too. It was a huge shock to the system for her to find me engaged then married quite so quickly (DH was probably the right guy - we've been together over 25 years now).

I'm feeling it a bit as mine is late teens and I suspect planning to move out just to be independent. Suddenly you just feel you're in a stage of life you don't feel ready for yet. My brother lives in another country now and we do video chat quite a bit so hopefully you'll actually end up talking to your son quite a bit. Sometimes distance means you chat more than you would do if they lived closer. Sending hugs, anyway.

Concernemum · 09/02/2024 20:57

Hi OPs can’t reply to everyone individually,
my son is definitely with a girl
yes i have 2 other children here who are older plus 2 dogs
i work over 40 hrs a week and also care for my parents
I was 24 when I moved out of my parents house
no the children’s biological father is not on the scene and hasn’t been since he had an affair when I was pregnant with my youngest son, the one who is moving.
Am aware that children grow up and form their own lives and relationships, however I feel that something is completely off about him following his gf to Brighton, the lifts to and from his home , his reluctance to chat etc. I’ve asked him to urge on the side of caution and to go for the right reasons, he feels that he is.

OP posts:
Treesandsheepeverywhere · 09/02/2024 21:13

You mean we'll OP but let him be. When you first leave home, it's exciting and often forget to phone home.
It will wear off and he'll be back in touch .
Don't force it, as that will just drive him away.
I live my mum but don't feel the need to chat all the time. I go through phases and she's learnt that we have different expectations.

H is a grown man. Let him make his own mistakes.

Q105 · 10/02/2024 07:08

You all know that many straight people live in Brighton too?!
it has a couple of incredibly respectable universities, if GF has got a place then she is clearly competitive and I hope she does well.
Brighton is a friendly and welcoming place for students just a hop away from London. It offers so much opportunity for those who’ve only ever been in Northern Ireland.
maybe the son hasn’t introduced the gf because he’s embarrassed by his overbearing mother, and quite honestly, the longer she behaves the way she is, I’m sure, she won’t be meeting any partner any time soon. Cringe. Especially when she thinks he’s a total deadbeat who won’t get a job!! Imagine saying that to your own kid?!
Hope that his move goes well and he’s all the success that op is convinced he won’t be 😵‍💫

Q105 · 10/02/2024 07:11

Try listening to the way you are speaking to your son, hearing what he’s hearing?! Try championing him a bit, perhaps.

whatever you THINK, you ARE making this all about your own feelings. I’m sorry. For him.
You should try looking into a sport or some social scene yourself, for some self-esteem.

Daisyblue2 · 10/02/2024 09:58

Totally agree

DocksideDave · 10/02/2024 11:46

I get that you are sad he’s moving so far away OP, that would be perfectly normal for any parent to feel gutted about.

But the rest of it is, quite frankly bonkers. It’s not hard to see why he’s distanced himself from you. You’re being too overbearing, and if this is how you normally are, then it’s likely contributed to him emotionally and physically distancing himself.

I don’t believe you have gone from having a happy/healthy/normal relationship to suddenly him meeting someone, never introducing you to them and moving out/away. It’s too much of a huge jump.

Let’s say, worst case scenario it goes completely wrong. They can’t get jobs, accommodation, she cheats on him, whatever. If your relationship is as good as you seem to think it is, he’ll call you, you’ll go get him, and he’ll come back home. Thats what we do with adult children. Advise when asked, and then be there to pick up the pieces when it goes wrong. And try not to say ‘told you so’

Lillanbjornen · 10/02/2024 12:33

purpleberries1 · 09/02/2024 08:29

I'm low contact with my parent and everything your son has done (limited contact, not introducing partner etc) are steps I took to disengage from the relationship with said parent. I even suspect some of the things you think he hasn't done/thought about are things he simply hasn't told you about.

I’m the same. 34, and extremely low contact with my mother. Been with my partner for 7 years and they have never met because she’s so difficult and quite frankly I consider him my family, not her. We haven’t got married in part because I can’t bear not having my dad there, but I know my mother would destroy everything. I visit once a year for Christmas and typically come back early, in tears, with my mental health in tatters. My dad accepts she is manipulative and emotionally abusive of me but is too scared of challenging her because it then makes his life so hard.

OP, you need to let your son work through everything by himself, the move, the relationship, jobs, bills, and yes, his relationship with you. At times he might fail or have regrets, and he’ll have to work out how to pick himself up. You don’t have to enjoy the idea of failing, but that’s life, we all have things go wrong and we all have to work out what comes next. And we learn from that. You insisting on coddling him or preventing him from doing it will not equip him for the rest of his adult life. People can’t find jobs or lose jobs, struggle with working out how to make ends meet, have relationships break down, get evicted, at all ages and you cannot protect him from this his entire life. In many ways, better to learn how to fail while young!

And as someone who has a turbulent relationship with my mother, I’d advise you to stop pushing contact. Mine texts or emails every day regardless of whether I respond and I find it so stifling and controlling. As others have said, be positive about his choices even if you don’t agree with them, offer your support in making the move, say you hope you’ll catch up soon and then leave him to it and let him come to you.

Silverfoxette · 10/02/2024 13:21

I think it’s odd that you haven’t met his gf yet, have his siblings met her or have they given their opinion on the situation? There was a thread on here about a year ago, a lady from Australia whose son was in a very controlling relationship and the situation sounds kinda similar although the son was younger I believe.

I think in your situation I would let him know you are here if he needs you and pull back, the more you contact or try to give advice the more the gf will twist it and make you sound like the controlling mother. You’re flogging a dead horse texting him about it; counselling might be a good option for you to get all your fears and worries out and help you see the way forward.
He 22, time to put his big boy pants on and stand on his own two feet. Try to stop thinking of all the scenarios, he’s so far away, it’s so expensive there, he’ll be on his own..he’s going to have to learn the hard way and these kinds of experiences shape who we are, he will come back hopefully the better for it.

ImCamembertTheBigCheese · 10/02/2024 13:32

@Silverfoxette has a great point. @Concernemum have his siblings met his gf?