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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:
pinkyredrose · 08/02/2024 15:59

Popetthetreehugger · 08/02/2024 15:22

I was I Brighton on Saturday, visiting son and DIL . They pay £1600 a month for a basement flat . Renting is brutal down there . Just keep a smile on yr face and the door open . This feeling will pass xx

There are many many places way cheaper than that!

Bunny44 · 08/02/2024 16:56

As a child who moved far away and even abroad several times, I think I would find this approach you're taking really claustaphobic and stifling. I know it must really hurt, but you need to think about what's best for him rather than your feelings. The unknown seems scary to you and it might feel like this girl is taking him away but let him go and have his experiences. It doesn't sound bad what he's doing and I'm sure it'll help him grow up and figure things out for himself. For what it's worth I've ended up back living with my parents several times and currently live with them with my own baby in my 30s! (I have my own house and money, it's just for support really). If my parents had tried to stop me going away, I probably wouldn't have been so keen to come back.

I do emphathise as as a single mum of a baby boy, I know already I'll find it really hard when he leaves me but you just can't hold them back or it'll backfire one way or another.

oakleaffy · 08/02/2024 17:07

Concernemum · 05/02/2024 11:47

ViciousCurrentBun thank you .. we are in N. I so it’s a good distance away … just can’t stop crying and thinking he’ll never be home again.
This life is shite … I don’t want to be here no more

By NI do you mean Northern Ireland, @Concernemum ?
I absolutely understand why you are hurting.

My son is a lot older than yours, now, and there was talk of Emigration to NZ..

That was a complete nightmare, but I didn't say anything.

Son went for a year out and came back to UK {England}

He lives an hour away now, but I PROMISE you it gets easier.

I actually shame to admit it thought that If he emigrated and I couldn't bear it, then I could always end it....but that was when my mental health wasn't in a great space.

A friend's GP when her son flew the nest said ''they have to leave to 'come back' emotionally...I think this is very true.

You will be ok. But I do remember the private tears of anguish..do not make him feel guilty! he has to learn to be a man.

Hopefully the GF is nice and that you get on with her.

oakleaffy · 08/02/2024 17:15

Concernemum · 05/02/2024 19:24

@ titchy yes I will when the time comes but in the meantime things need to be sorted

My friend gave good advice...she said 'Loosen the apron strings..snippety snip!''
the harder you try to rein someone in, the more they pull away.

It'll be hard for you, but loosen the pressure.

I had to do this.. as a single parent of an only child it's very easy to be very 'dependent' on them.. but they have to spread their wings.

Your situation sounded so like mine! Jokes and dog walks.
Loosen the leash. also don't help him out too much...they need to learn to sort themselves out...it's how they grow.

viques · 08/02/2024 17:16

Concernemum · 05/02/2024 13:17

I see his friends going out clubbing, working, passing driving tests, going on lads holidays. He’s never done any of them things

And if he did those things you would probably be worrying about him getting his drink spoked, getting into unintentional fights, driving with a drunk friend, or being over the limit himself. Their parents are probably saying “ I wish my boy would grow up, find a nice girl and settle down a bit.”

You have done your parenting just fine , you have brought up an independent minded young man who is not afraid to spread his wings. In my opinion you would have slid right down the parenting snake to zero if you had an able bodied 22 year old still living at home and quite happy to leech off his parents🙂.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 08/02/2024 17:31

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

I know it hurts, @Concernemum - we live in Scotland, and one of our sons decided to go to Reading university, and has stayed living down south, and now our middle son has gone out to Australia to teach - so I know how it feels.

Letting them go is part of parenthood, and we have to encourage them to live their best lives, wherever that takes them. So we smile and encourage them, and then have a bit of a cry when they can’t see us.

I will say that, no matter how far away they are, the relationships have stayed just as strong and loving as when they were living here. Distance doesn’t change that, unless you let it.

Residentevil · 08/02/2024 17:38

When reading your post , I found myself doing a gender reversal. If this was your daughter, who moved in with a boyfriend after 6 months, didn't answer the phone, barely communicated with you, visited only when being dropped off and picked up by boyfriends parents it would be a. 🚩 . Your comment about all the crying and not wanting to be here anymore is also concerning. Usually, parents find it difficult when their children go to uni, move out etc but they are able to put things into perspective and also feel excited for their child’s future. I find myself wondering what your relationship dynamic was like prior to the girlfriend being on the scene. I think without knowing this it is difficult to offer advice.

Maighnuad · 08/02/2024 17:39

Aw Pet - I am a single mum and thought of my 21 yr old moving out would break me. I am also an Irish mammy !
But my ex mother in law taught me -keep the door open - and don't ostracize the GF. Nothing is worth losing your son for. Arrange a visit once he's settled.
It will be grand as you know. But My heart would also be broken

Treesintwilight · 08/02/2024 18:20

@oakleaffy are you a single mum and is your son your only child? Just curious as to when and why it would hurt as bad.

AcrossthePond55 · 08/02/2024 18:28

@Concernemum

My sons are older and I've been through the 'less than optimum' moving out scenario a couple of times. My oldest son moved out, with no job, at 18 to take his band 'on tour' and be a 'rock god'. If you don't think I was absolutely frantic, you're dead wrong. But after one 'Are you sure?' I kept my mouth shut and pasted a smile on my face. He 'got it out of his system' after 6 years, got a job 'in the industry' and is now married and doing extremely well.

My younger son is now contemplating taking a job (in his profession) about 100 miles away in a more expensive area AND with a car that's on its last legs. I'm keeping my mouth shut about how thoroughly he's checked out living costs there and what would he do if his car gives up the ghost.

Here's my advice:

First off, do not offer money. He wants to and needs to 'sink or swim' on his own. BUT, silently put what money you can afford in a savings account and let it build up. Then IF the time comes that he wants or needs to come home you'll have a tidy sum to pay for his airfare/travel needs. Just don't tell him you're doing this. I did this with both my sons. That money is still sitting in a bank account.

Secondly, stop asking questions, offering your opinions, or making suggestions unless you are specifically asked. Yes, you may be older and wiser but he's not listening anyway and the more you talk the thicker that brick wall you're speaking to becomes. So save your breath to cool your porridge. If you want him to come home in the future, don't alienate him now.

Thirdly, since this appears to be affecting you emotionally so deeply, you may want to consider counseling. If you don't want to completely alienate your son or make him feel as if he can't contact you should he need to, then you need to find another outlet for your fear and anxiety.

WaitingForSummer2024 · 08/02/2024 18:57

It sounds like she/her family might be controlling him… it just sounds very strange that you were close before he became involved with her and her family and now he is living there, you haven’t met her, he doesn’t speak to you much and the fact that she or her family pick him up and drop him off to visit you literally makes no sense as to why they haven’t met you as you’re literally in the same place at the same time when this happens!! It sounds like they may be dictating when he can see his family and friends 🙁

defiant2024 · 08/02/2024 18:59

Congrats to your son. Many young people end up dependent on their parents and take years to enjoy being independent adults, it's great for him that he's experiencing this normal phase of life. Best of luck to him.

Julimia · 08/02/2024 19:18

My dear lady... stop crying. Your children are on loan to you from day one and ' you have to let go to keep hold'
I promise you this is true. He is obviously happy and healthy. What more is there to ask for? Take care.

ScattyGinger · 08/02/2024 19:21

It sounds like you could do with someone to talk to. Do you have any support nearby or maybe you could arrange to speak to someone? You don't want to push him away by being negative, especially about his girlfriend as it sounds like a lot of the blame is being put on her. He's 22 so old enough to be out there in the world, doing his own thing. I'd try and support him to keep the relationship good and then if he isn't home to visit a lot, maybe you could arrange to visit him.

Brighton in your 20s sound like great fun!

pollyglot · 08/02/2024 19:45

Your son is an adult, however hard it is for you to see that. He's making his way in life, even if it is dependent on another woman. Have you kept him paddling about in perpetual amniotic fluid? Let him go! Stop thinking of how YOU feel, enjoy being on your own and able to enjoy your own life. There's lots of life out there.

I often think of the pioneers who left forever, to the other side of the world. My gt gt grandmother left Belfast in 1858, aged 18, to sail to NZ - 4 months in a sailing ship, forever in a wild and unknown land. She never returned, letters took months. Her mother must have been distraught at her departure. Now that's empty nest syndrome for you.

CadyEastman · 08/02/2024 19:48

Wow that's amazing @pollyglot. She must have been an amazing Woman.

I can't imagine how hard it must have been for her family. We are so lucky to live now when we have access to things like FaceTime.

oakleaffy · 08/02/2024 19:49

Treesintwilight · 08/02/2024 18:20

@oakleaffy are you a single mum and is your son your only child? Just curious as to when and why it would hurt as bad.

Yes, I was single parent after husband left, and son and I were really close ( I think this can often happen in single parent families with only one child-
I also live a long way from rest of family.

I did get counselling at the time which helped to make me realise I was too clingy to him which isn’t fair on a teenager
Also to not rush in and “ Rescue “ them OPis likely to want to do..

Teenagers need to make mistakes , and to learn Without mum getting involved-

Son and I talked about it and he definitely didn’t like being fussed over.
He used to go on holiday abroad as a teenager, and I’d worry - but you have to trust your children to make good decisions.

They can only do this by experience.

Uricon2 · 08/02/2024 20:20

AcrossthePond55 · 08/02/2024 18:28

@Concernemum

My sons are older and I've been through the 'less than optimum' moving out scenario a couple of times. My oldest son moved out, with no job, at 18 to take his band 'on tour' and be a 'rock god'. If you don't think I was absolutely frantic, you're dead wrong. But after one 'Are you sure?' I kept my mouth shut and pasted a smile on my face. He 'got it out of his system' after 6 years, got a job 'in the industry' and is now married and doing extremely well.

My younger son is now contemplating taking a job (in his profession) about 100 miles away in a more expensive area AND with a car that's on its last legs. I'm keeping my mouth shut about how thoroughly he's checked out living costs there and what would he do if his car gives up the ghost.

Here's my advice:

First off, do not offer money. He wants to and needs to 'sink or swim' on his own. BUT, silently put what money you can afford in a savings account and let it build up. Then IF the time comes that he wants or needs to come home you'll have a tidy sum to pay for his airfare/travel needs. Just don't tell him you're doing this. I did this with both my sons. That money is still sitting in a bank account.

Secondly, stop asking questions, offering your opinions, or making suggestions unless you are specifically asked. Yes, you may be older and wiser but he's not listening anyway and the more you talk the thicker that brick wall you're speaking to becomes. So save your breath to cool your porridge. If you want him to come home in the future, don't alienate him now.

Thirdly, since this appears to be affecting you emotionally so deeply, you may want to consider counseling. If you don't want to completely alienate your son or make him feel as if he can't contact you should he need to, then you need to find another outlet for your fear and anxiety.

Absolutely great advice from @AcrossthePond55

LindorDoubleChoc · 08/02/2024 21:33

Julimia · 08/02/2024 19:18

My dear lady... stop crying. Your children are on loan to you from day one and ' you have to let go to keep hold'
I promise you this is true. He is obviously happy and healthy. What more is there to ask for? Take care.

Maybe to meet the girlfriend and/or the family he is living with? It has been 6 months.

Very few posters on this thread have even acknowledged that this total cutting off is weird and abnormal.

RampantIvy · 08/02/2024 22:11

Very few posters on this thread have even acknowledged that this total cutting off is weird and abnormal.

I know. Too many posters are quick to blame the OP.

Nanny0gg · 08/02/2024 22:19

SussieC · 08/02/2024 15:04

You are not loosing him. There are so many ways to keep in touch, social media. And videophone, what's app just a couple.
Boys are not so good at keeping in touch as girls but he will need you still. Time for yourself now.

But he isn't keeping in touch at all!

Julimia · 08/02/2024 22:20

What total cutting off? Explain please

RampantIvy · 08/02/2024 22:30

Julimia · 08/02/2024 22:20

What total cutting off? Explain please

You could just read the OP's posts.

Irishinyorkshire · 08/02/2024 23:23

Hi I know what you’re going through, my mum is the same, she struggles with me living in England. I can guarantee that trying to control his life will push you further away. You don’t need to worry about him being lonely when his GF is at lectures, he’ll be fine! You don’t need to worry about him getting a job.. he’ll be fine & he is 22. I was 18 moving to England - & my mum has pushed me away with her controlling behaviour & emotional blackmail. Be happy for him, say you’re happy for him he’s giving it ago & if he needs anything you’ll be there, say you’re looking forward to visiting when he’s ready, & looking forward to seeing him when they’re back for Christmas, is the GF from NI too? schedule face time calls every Sunday. Do not be negative. I’ve had 22 years of negativity.. you can’t do this.. you can’t do that!.. & it doesn’t end well.
join a walk /run club or hobby you’re interested in art. Tell him all about it when you speak to him so it’s not all a million questions for him when you speak on phone. Reconnect with old friend. Speak to Samaritans maybe if you are feeling distraught

Julimia · 08/02/2024 23:31

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