Mom Cuts Son Off for Prioritizing ‘Red Flag’ Girlfriend Over School. Now She Wonders If She’s ‘Too Controlling’

A concerned mother recently took to Reddit to seek advice on a tough situation she was facing with her 19-year-old son. The mother shared that her son, who works part-time at a grocery store, is supposed to be enrolled full-time in college. Since the family moved to a new town, she has been supporting her sons financially, covering most of their expenses including rent.

However, her worries began when her son started dating a girl who lived an hour away. Despite helping him get a car for school and work, he started using it mainly to visit his girlfriend, neglecting necessary repairs. The mother expressed concerns about the girlfriend’s lack of employment, transportation, and reported behavior of yelling and belittling her son. She detailed how she tried to talk to the girl’s mother to address these concerns but with no success.

As the situation escalated with her son spending more time away from home and refusing to show his grades, the mother decided to take action. She expressed her dilemma in deciding whether to cut off financial support unless her son proves he is enrolled and doing well in school. Additionally, she worried about being seen as too controlling but ultimately wanted the best for her son’s future.

The mother highlighted the sacrifices she had made to support her sons financially and emotionally, sharing her fears about her son potentially quitting school to work full-time. She acknowledged the difficulty of balancing between showing support and ensuring her son remains focused on his education and responsibilities.

In response to the mother’s post, many users shared their own perspectives and advice. One mum shared how she supports her college-aged son based on his academic performance, emphasizing the importance of academic responsibility. The collective responses provided varied insights on handling similar situations with young adults and relationships that might influence their priorities.

This heartfelt account sheds light on the challenges faced by parents as they navigate the delicate balance between supporting their children and guiding them towards a successful future. It serves as a reminder of the complexities that arise when parenting young adults who are transitioning into independence while still needing parental guidance and support.