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Parents of adult children

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

How do I help him?

7 replies

worriedsickson19 · 19/01/2026 20:59

I have posted before, but as time goes on things are getting worse.
DS Is 19yrs old, his Dad and I divorced 6 1/2 years ago, not on great terms, long back story/history of alcoholism, narcissistic behaviour and never putting myself or the kids before the needs and wants of his mother. DS lives 50:50 between myself and exH.
DS didn’t enjoy academia at school, add in covid and a sprinkle of laziness and he finished school with only a few qualifications, but enough to get him into college to do an HND.
He dropped out of the HND after one term, stating it was boring and not for him.
He won’t get a job because he does not need one and spends most of his days sleeping, evenings and nights out with friends, either driving around or smoking weed.
The reason he doesn’t need a job is because my ex MIL gives him several thousand pounds a month, he has no outgoings as they have bought him a car, think high end and pay for the very expensive car insurance.
In the autumn I persuaded him to go for an interview with a good company to do an apprenticeship, he got this and started 6 weeks ago, but has now handed his notice in. He wasn’t getting up and going and would have been sacked soon probably!
He has said to me that he doesn’t see the point of getting a job, he doesn’t need the money, but he is also getting depressed and angry with life.
I have begged exH to stop his Mum from sending him this money, but he won’t do this as “she enjoys seeing him happy spending money”.
I spent a long time whilst we were still married trying to reign in what she spent in the kids, tried to persuade DS a Saturday job would be a good idea when he turned 16 and talk to him about adulting, why it’s important to have a purpose in life. I don’t see to constantly ask ex MIL to stop buying him so much stuff, but she refused and continues to do it.
O am tearing my hair out and am worried I am ruining my relationship with him as we constantly argue about him trying to find a job.
On a side note, I am now staring to worry about my 15yr old daughter, as ex MIL gave her £1000 for Xmas, on top of the laptop and van Cleef jewellery she got as her present.
I am just lost at how to help him? Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
RecordBreakers · 19/01/2026 23:51

I'm pretty sure you won't be able to stop the MiL being so irresponsible, but would it be worth sending her some articles showing the statistics for young lads who 'drive around with their friends, smoking weed and driving high powered cars' ?
I presume she doesn't want her DGS killed anymore than you want to lose him ?
She could still put aside the money for him in some sort of account he can't access.
Until that stops, I'm not sure anything you say or do is going to convince him otherwise.
I'm really sorry you are having to deal with this, and potentially again with your dd. Maybe with your dd, you can start the education now? show her how money can be saved and become enough for something she'll really appreciate later?

worriedsickson19 · 19/01/2026 23:58

@RecordBreakers thanks for answering, I know you are right about MIL, I am just so angry with her, but mostly with my exH as he chooses to put her first and minimise the effect it has on the kids. Both kids have massive trust funds, from them, so putting it away, seems futile to them! DD has always been more sensible and is studying hard, wants to go to Uni and says she wants to get a part time job at 16, so I am really keeping my fingers crossed that she won’t have her head turned by all the “free money”. My heart is breaking for my DS, he will end up with really poor MH, or killing himself/someone else in the stupid car (weapon) that she bought him 😞

OP posts:
worriedsickson19 · 20/01/2026 18:12

Anyone else got some advice for me?

OP posts:
titchy · 20/01/2026 18:20

Does she know he spends the money she gives him on drugs?

serene12 · 20/01/2026 18:54

You might want to consider using tough love, by anonymously reporting him to the Police for drug driving. He could potentially kill/injure himself or others he needs to feel the consequences of drug use.

worriedsickson19 · 20/01/2026 20:51

@titchyshe knows and is “very worried” but won’t give up giving him money. She just loves being loved and thinks things how to make him love her.

OP posts:
worriedsickson19 · 20/01/2026 20:53

@serene12he doesn’t drive under the influence, he and his friends like to go and drive on the country roads, way too fast, get thrills, then come back to our street and smoke weed in the park at the end of the street, before staggering home. I may be naive believing this, but his car never smells and believe you me, his clothes stink!!

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