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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

What affect would son being the “hero” of the family after a divorce have growing up?

8 replies

sarahmarkets33 · 28/06/2024 13:34

I have noticed a very unhealthy behaviour pattern in my fiancés family. His parents divorced when he was around 11 and apparently he took it really hard. His mum always refers to him as “her number one” he has 2 other sisters. She has told me that he has “picked her up off the floor whilst she has been sobbing” before and they are so close.

the pattern I have noticed is everything always falls in my fiancés shoulders and he feels huge amounts of responsibility. She often calls him up upset about certain things and I can tell it gets too him. I’d go as far to say it gets to him more than when I’m upset; when I’m upset I get him defensive and angry? Is this because he is used to be manipulated via his mother?

a family member recently died and she texts things like they all have to stick together and be there for each other, now my fiancé feels a huge amount of responsibility for the guy that dieds little brother, inviting him everywhere, planning trips, generally being concerned. Again I’d go as far to say more concerned for him than me when I go thru hard ship. there is genuine concern and interest for his wellbeing but when my grandad was in hospital he forgot often to ask how he was.

im starting to get angry and blame his mum and wonder if this behaviour can ever be unlearned? Now, his dad is going thru a divorce and he is SO stressed he’s taking everything out on me and taking it upon himself to be there and move his dads items because the “dad has no one else” it’s like it’s been embedded in him. It’s so not healthy and I can actually see him mentally struggling.

no body asks him how he is doing apart from me. No one seems to care and he can’t process it all. I heard him crying alone the other day. He refuses to open up and talk to me about his feelings. I might suggest therapy if he will go but he gets defensive and thinks everyone is judging him and it’s not manly…

OP posts:
MollyButton · 28/06/2024 13:45

Parentification

amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/sep/20/parentified-child-behave-like-adult
Is he from a different culture?

sarahmarkets33 · 28/06/2024 13:57

MollyButton · 28/06/2024 13:45

American @MollyButton

OP posts:
MILTOBE · 28/06/2024 14:05

If you don't have children together, I'd be off!

Daleksatemyshed · 28/06/2024 18:37

I'd be very wary @sarahmarkets33 . He may be a good man who you'd like to marry but there will always be a price to pay if you do. As the only male in the family your future MIL pushed an adult role on him far, far too young, she treated him emotionally more as a DH than a son and he feels very obliged to look after her. I'm afraid your marriage will change nothing, she'll still feel she has first claim on his time and support and that will wear heavily on you both.
Try to look at the future and ask yourself if you want a marriage where there,'s three of you involved

MollyButton · 29/06/2024 10:52

He doesn't even really have the culture excuse then.
I would back off rapidly. You can't expect someone to change unless they really really want to, and in these circumstances pay for a lot of therapy.

NCGrandParent · 29/06/2024 10:57

I think it really depends on how willing he is to address his own responses (do some reading/go to therapy). You might find it helpful to read "adult children of emotionally immature parents" and I would suggest he does same.

If he's completely unwilling to reassess his role in his family of birth, then I would really question how commited he he is to the one he is creating with you.

Foldondottedline · 29/06/2024 11:17

Oh my goodness - the brilliant psychotherapist Esther Perel has a really moving episode which discusses this very topic with a male caller. Sounds so much like your partner - it's very insightful https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/esther-calling-still-single-at-40/id1237931798?i=1000566621726

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