Common questions

Why do I get no response from my adult sons?

Why do I get no response from my adult sons?

Sometimes it’s just that they don’t know how to deal with you, and you’ve been too persistent and won’t take no for an answer (most frequent cause of “ghosting,” IMHO). But none of these sound like the case with you – and anyway we’re talking about your own offspring! They owe you, their mother, a lifetime of gratitude.

What should I do if my son refuses treatment?

He just came home from his first stay in the hospital on an involuntary hold (12 days). My biggest fear is him becoming homeless and untreated, so I know how it feels to think about that before you act or speak. I bought a book that lots of people recommend called “I’m not sick, I don’t need help” by Doctor Amador.

Why are my sons so rude to my mother?

I’m not making any excuses for your boys – they are being shockingly rude to their own mother, which is downright villainous – but I will say this: Being in one’s 20s is tough – especially these days.

Why did I have to ask my son to move out?

Because he has an addiction to marijuana and we have younger kids at home, we felt we had to ask him to move out a few years ago. Eventually, some mutual friends asked him to caretake one of their places in a more remote place that was safe and he didn’t have to pay rent.

He just came home from his first stay in the hospital on an involuntary hold (12 days). My biggest fear is him becoming homeless and untreated, so I know how it feels to think about that before you act or speak. I bought a book that lots of people recommend called “I’m not sick, I don’t need help” by Doctor Amador.

What should I not say on the phone to my son?

I really do expect that when my son and his girlfriend have news that involves a wedding, my husband and I will be among the first 100 people to know. Over the past several years, I’ve been discreetly observing young adults (not my own) on the phone with their parents. I wanted to learn the slam-down-the-phone triggers so I could avoid them.

Can you imagine finding out that your son is in jail?

Can you imagine finding out that your son, daughter, sister, brother, mother, father, is in jail because nobody would listen until somebody got hurt, robbed, or annoyed because your family member finally lost it so completely that society said, get this person out of sight?

Because he has an addiction to marijuana and we have younger kids at home, we felt we had to ask him to move out a few years ago. Eventually, some mutual friends asked him to caretake one of their places in a more remote place that was safe and he didn’t have to pay rent.

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Ruth Doyle