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How to handle son walking out of our lives.

54 replies

SeedBeadStar · 17/10/2026 15:28

DS is mid 20s, he has lived away since uni but comes home all the time as he has always been close to his siblings and shares a hobby with his dad.
He lives with a girlfriend and they constantly bicker and end up not speaking. When she comes to our home for the weekend things are fraught between them. She has had some extreme mental health needs in the past and struggles with work issues to the point she has recently quit work completely (not on benefits) and he is now financially responsible for her.
He has started to moan about his job (which he previously loved) and all aspects of his life.
He has adopted a 'victim' mindset talking about how hard his life is when actually he has had a lovely upbringing, with every single convenience given to him, new car for his 18th birthday etc.
They totally drag each other down.
He has lost contact with his friends.
I do feel that he is depressed and I feel his relationship isn't helping either.
He came home on his own last week, I thought to get a bit of breathing space away from his partner, he told us he was thinking of quitting his job and when DH expressed some concern at this, DS stormed out.
He went back to his house but we haven't heard from him since.
DH and I are worried sick. DH has cardiac issues which are exacerbated by stress, DS knows this but doesn't seem to care.
He is hurting all of us.
I don't know what to do, I love him so much, I want to help him but he won't answer our calls or texts.

OP posts:
Stillsoithink · 18/10/2026 18:28

He has adopted a 'victim' mindset talking about how hard his life is when actually he has had a lovely upbringing, with every single convenience given to him, new car for his 18th birthday etc.

This is unintentionally quite a telling comment from @SeedBeadStar .

LadyHexham · 18/10/2026 18:59

Give him time to think.
He's an adult.
He will contact you when he's ready.

MissyB1 · 18/10/2026 19:17

Give it a few more days for him to cool down then go and visit. Just tell him you are there to support him with no judgement about anything. I feel for you OP, it's not just little kids that can be hard work.

Idelicious · 19/10/2026 07:14

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