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Struggling a bit with DS's manipulative GF

108 replies

RomanRoysSearchHistory · 15/07/2024 20:45

Need some advice please - realise it's not my place (or intention) to interfere in their relationship at all, but more on how to deal with my own misgivings and concern, as DS's GF keeps manipulating situations so that she has her way and DS right where she wants him.

They got together in February- DS is 20, GF 17. She's clever, polite, studious, mature in many ways and very sensible. I welcomed her with open arms and was happy for her to stay over at ours whenever they liked. DS wasn't allowed to sleep over at GF's house, however he was welcomed kindly by her family and given their approval, as DS was friendly with GF's DF through sporting activities. They were seemingly ok with her staying over at ours though.

In June, DS was going abroad for a week with friends on a holiday booked prior to them getting together. As the holiday approached, DS was suddenly allowed to stay over at GF's, then 2 weeks before his holiday he announced that GF wanted him to move in (to her parent's house) with her.

This all seemed a bit too soon and came as a shock tbh, given that he hadn't even been allowed to sleep over until 2 weeks prior.

Anyway, he moved in, but I could never understand why the sudden 180 by the parents. Well it transpires recently that she'd threatened her parents to move out and into OUR house with DS if they didn't relent and let DS stay over and move in before his lads holiday. However, that offer was never on the table (for her to move in with us) she'd evidently made that up in order to get her parents to cave, as they understandably don't want her to move out during her A levels.

I have just stood back and watched this all unfold, but am pretty pissed off tbh. DS leaving hit me hard in terms of empty-nest syndrome and I'm of course happy that he's ready to fly, but I'm not happy about the circumstances of him leaving if that makes sense? It seemed as though it wasn't really his own decision, and he keeps making noises about how he almost immediately regretted it and wants to come back one day. (I haven't said no).

Additionally DS's GF's parents are obviously none the wiser that we've all been played.
GF's DM had been acting quite off and passive aggressive with DS, evidently feeling slightly resentful at being strong-armed into a decision she didn't really want to make either. But nobody has ever said "no" to the GF, from what I can gather, so she's used to getting her own way.

DS is super laid back and doesn't seem overly concerned (that he's mentioned), but there's a history of emotional abuse from his F so he does have a tendency to go along with things for a quiet life. This is one of several tricks that have been pulled by DS's GF over the last few months. I'm concerned that DS is being blind to the coercion and in all honesty I'm also feeling like a pawn in someone's daft game, because I had never said she could move in. (I was never asked).

I'd asked DS to pop in and feed the dog this evening after work as I'd been held up (he passes anyway on his way back to hers). But then rather than working as she had planned, his GF then wanted to drive 20 mins to our house (under the guise of "missing the dog"...) But I just feel as though she won't let him out of her sight, or is mistrustful of him. He's given her absolutely no reason to feel this way, he's a really good lad and reassures her all the time, she just seems overly insecure and clingy. I'm seeing so many red flags here though and I know I can't interfere at all as it's his life at 20.

I suppose my dilemma is that I feel quite strongly that I don't really want to be in her company at all right now, mostly because I'm pissed off and peri, and really just want to be kind, but might fail.
I am unsure how to say to DS "I dont feel comfortable around GF right now" without upsetting him or causing an issue between them and being "that person". I know he values my opinion and I don't want to sway him in any way.

Am I overreacting? Should I just suck it up, ignore the fact we've all been played and play happy families? I'm quite honestly fuming and don't see that subsiding in the near future. If I sound as though I'm being unreasonable, please say so, I'm unsure whether the peri hormones are clouding my judgement 😵‍💫

OP posts:
gleefulstar · 15/07/2024 21:24

This is a car crash waiting to happen. Just make sure your DS knows he can come home when it all kicks off. Which it will.

catsnore · 15/07/2024 21:36

Bit odd that suddenly he is living with the them. Can't imagine the parents are very happy about it. It probably won't last as the reality of being together 24/7 and living in a different house will hit home. Hopefully DS is still going on the lads holiday? And make it clear to him he can move back any time he likes. It's probably going to blow up but probably best not to interfere given he is 20.

LoyalMember · 18/07/2024 08:43

You have to contact the gf's parents and put them straight that in no way did this have anything to do with you.

LadyWhistled0wn · 18/07/2024 08:49

Contact her parents and let her know that her moving in was never an option.
You have to put things right. This is a car crash waiting to happen, she's clearly extremely immature.

minnieot · 18/07/2024 08:55

Why is your 20 year old son with a 17 year old girl anyway

LoyalMember · 18/07/2024 08:58

minnieot · 18/07/2024 08:55

Why is your 20 year old son with a 17 year old girl anyway

Oh, do one, ffs....

minnieot · 18/07/2024 08:59

@LoyalMember you do one if you think that's okay. I'm 21 and 17 year olds are literal children, she's still at school ffs. Gross.

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 18/07/2024 09:01

minnieot · 18/07/2024 08:55

Why is your 20 year old son with a 17 year old girl anyway

Well that’s helpful. Why not?

LoyalMember · 18/07/2024 09:03

minnieot · 18/07/2024 08:59

@LoyalMember you do one if you think that's okay. I'm 21 and 17 year olds are literal children, she's still at school ffs. Gross.

I bet you loved being called a child at 17...😄 Leave them alone. 21 & 17's absolutely fine.

minnieot · 18/07/2024 09:04

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AGodawfulsmallaffair · 18/07/2024 09:04

Definitely tell her parents that is categorically untrue and you’ve all been played. If they know she is not ever moving in to your house they may very well send your ds packing. But either way, it is doomed and I’d be surprised if he isn’t home within a few months.

minnieot · 18/07/2024 09:05

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AGodawfulsmallaffair · 18/07/2024 09:05

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Good for you.

Babycatsmummy · 18/07/2024 09:06

minnieot · 18/07/2024 08:55

Why is your 20 year old son with a 17 year old girl anyway

If it was a 21 year old living with a 24 year old nobody would care, it's 3 years difference. She seems grown up enough to manipulate him!

ViciousCurrentBun · 18/07/2024 09:06

Have you met her parents at all? probably not I assume.

Specifically tell him he is welcome to come and live back anytime and to also use rock solid contraception which means he always uses condoms.

I wouldn’t call her immature I would call her extremely manipulative and very clever. It’s the kind of shit my younger sister could have pulled to get her own way. She was always like it, too many really mouth gaping horrendous stories to tell and don’t want to hijack thread. Ultimately her shenanigans all through life meant as soon as my Mother died we all cut her off.

minnieot · 18/07/2024 09:06

@Babycatsmummy of course that would be different considering that would be two adults in a more similar life position... not a grown ass man with a schoolgirl. You're all vile, bye 🤢

Mintypig · 18/07/2024 09:11

Why don’t you arrange a lovely dinner with the in laws ? I would get us all together and then subtly joke about how mad they are to have to youngsters living with them - as you never would!
this is how you’ll look great, and accommodating whilst putting them straight.
you have to tread carefully so you don’t play into gf hands that everyone is evil but her.
it’s going to come to a head, and ds will be back.

cloudy477654 · 18/07/2024 09:14

minnieot · 18/07/2024 08:55

Why is your 20 year old son with a 17 year old girl anyway

Seriously? This is so not the point, I had a 19 year old BF when I was 17, I think I was actually more mature than him!

Babycatsmummy · 18/07/2024 09:16

minnieot · 18/07/2024 09:06

@Babycatsmummy of course that would be different considering that would be two adults in a more similar life position... not a grown ass man with a schoolgirl. You're all vile, bye 🤢

shes 17, not 12. Almost at the age to leave home and start uni where I’m sure she’ll be getting up to a lot of things her parents would hate to know about! You need to get a grip 🙄

cloudy477654 · 18/07/2024 09:19

She sounds very immature. I think all you can do it keep communication open with your son and make it clear he always has a place to move back with you. If you start avoiding the GF and creating tension you're likely to make things worse, no normal 20 year old lad chooses his mum over his GF!

Don't be scared to challenge things though, like if she starts not wanting him to go on nights out without her

Zeroperspective · 18/07/2024 09:19

I wish my mum and friends had been honest with me when I was in an abusive relationship, they told me things after that if they had said at the time I think would have opened my eyes. I'd speak to your son and tell him your concerns, just stick to the facts and don't tell him what you think he should do and make sure he knows that regardless of how you feel it's his life and you support him regardless of what choices he makes and the door is always open for him to talk to you or to come home. Be his safe place to talk without judging and without him feeling pressure that if he tells you things you'll be disappointed if he then stays with her as he's not yet ready to leave

Emmylou22 · 18/07/2024 09:19

My instinct is to hold in your feelings around her and remain polite and neutral. Undoubtedly the relationship won't last anyway so wait for it to all unfold.

How did you find out the GF had told her parents the lie about moving in? I'd definitely be making it clear to them you had no part in this.

minnieot · 18/07/2024 09:21

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minnieot · 18/07/2024 09:22

@cloudy477654 that's very different when it's two teenagers. He's TWENTY with a child!!!!! Do you people hear yourselves? Anyway, I'm truly not staying around to argue anymore but all of you people disgust me

LoyalMember · 18/07/2024 09:25

minnieot · 18/07/2024 09:22

@cloudy477654 that's very different when it's two teenagers. He's TWENTY with a child!!!!! Do you people hear yourselves? Anyway, I'm truly not staying around to argue anymore but all of you people disgust me

Bye, then...🖐

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