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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

18yo and nights out

5 replies

Resitinas · 14/03/2025 15:57

My DS is 18. Context is that he expects to be accorded adult rights in some areas whilst not lifting a finger to help in the house at all. He's still in education, at college, and has difficulties with his mental health plus suspected autism. He doesn't go out often, so when he does, I'm pleased to see him socialising and getting out of his room. He keeps irregular routines and barely attends college as a result. At home, there is me, DH and our 3yo.

He's told me he'll be heading out with friends today in a different city. We live in a small town, but public transport post 11pm. He hasn't explained how he'll be getting home and I'm leaving him to it in that regard. He doesn't feel he should have to confirm when he will be home or if he will be staying at a friend's. I feel that he needs to be home by 12am or stay over with his friend if he wants to be out later. The reason for this is that he will inevitably wake me up returning home, as he will go to use the bathroom and his bedroom is right next to mine. I'm so concerned about him coming home hammered as this is his first "big" night out. I don't want the rest of us woken in the early hours and certainly not by him vomiting over the bathroom, for example. It might be the weekend tomorrow but our 3yo will be up as always at 7am.

Is a "curfew" reasonable? I'm not saying that he has to curtail his night out, just that he needs to stay at his friend's (who's apparently already said he can do this) if he wants to come home later than 12am or get rolling drunk. Is this reasonable given the additional context?

OP posts:
shentok · 14/03/2025 16:02

I can see where you're coming from but I think it's a little harsh that you're not allowing him to stay out later before coming home. Whilst it isn't ideal behavior, getting drunk at 18 isn't unheard of and I think he should feel welcome to go back to his own home. But I do get you're point that you have a 3yo.

Nannyfannybanny · 14/03/2025 16:05

I know the word curfew is not popular on MN, anymore than suggesting the adult working kids should pay their way..my youngest ds is disabled (rapid cycle bipolar and severe depression) but he knew our house our rules. We actually threw out eldest DD,at 20, bringing mates back gone midnight, starting to cook. Her best friend of 40 years did the same to her adult son. I have a friend mid fifties, she actually moved back into the childhood home to care for her DF she did pay her way, and yet her SF refused to allow her boyfriend of 15 years,who is even older,to stay the night. That his house,his rules!

mondaytosunday · 14/03/2025 16:10

It’s likely he will stop over at his friends.
my sim had left home by 18 no idea what time held get home- your son is an adult and let him get on with it. If he vomits over everything get him to clean it. I’d just tell him you won’t be in the position to go collect him do he needs to think about how he’ll get home or where he’ll spend the night. Then let him deal with it.

RedSkyDelights · 14/03/2025 16:14

I think a curfew of midnight is unrealistic - they will only be getting going by then.

Like a PP I think it's harsh to ban him from coming home. It also sounds like this is not a pattern but you are assuming the worst before he's actually done anything which is very unfair. Plus it feels like he is being "punished" for having a young sibling - what he is wanting to do is very normal 18 year old behaviour.

I think it's reasonable to ask that he comes in quietly and does not disturb other family members. If he doesn't then you can adopt your approach.

WonkyDonkeyWonkeyDonkey · 14/03/2025 16:39

My dd is recently eighteen. Our rule is that she has to have a plan as to how she is getting home, the only option is an uber really, and she has to stick with her friends. No deciding you have had enough and going. My rules are to lessen the chance of being murdered though, rather than waking me up by flushing the toilet.

She has been clubbing three times now and she gets in about 5am because the clubs don’t end till 4am. They don’t really open till 11.30 do they?

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