I think I am going to lose it!

@bitoffun (203)
United States
September 30, 2009 1:15pm CST
I have two adult sons living at home. They are trying so hard to find full time work. My hubby is always complaining about how he supports them. He does cause he is the only one working. They both have security jobs that give them very little hours. When ever they do get paid which has so far been one time , they give us some money to help with food expenses. I will not throw my boys out because of this stinking economy. What am I gonna do if my hubby wants to tell them to leave? They have no place to go. They are his step kids, but he has thrown his own out before. I love my hubby very much. He is the best man I have ever benn with. But still my boys come first. If he throws them out I feel like I want to go with them. It`s not fair. They are trying and believe me they want to move out on their own bad. They hate that he buys beer all the time too. I made sure the oney they gave me last week went for food not beer. I`m getting very worried about this. What would you do?
3 people like this
4 responses
• United States
30 Sep 09
I have to say that although it might be difficult to hear, I think that Aharter has some good advice and made some good points. If your boys are sleeping until 11:00 and then going to look for jobs in the afternoon, then they are not making a very good first impression with the places to which they are applying. Employers want to see prospective employees in early to prove that they will indeed be able to be to work on time, especially if the job is during the day. There are obviously exceptions to this, but in generally it is better to apply in person and early in the morning. That is one of the things that will make you stand out and make employers notice you. It is also better to dress professionally, even if you are only applying to a burger joint. Don't overdo it and wear a business suit when you are applying to McDonalds, but do wear a nice shirt with a collar and trousers at least. The more you do to make yourself stand out from others (in a good way), the more chance you will have of getting a job. Also, getting to an employment agency at 5:30 in the morning might sound unpleasant, but you do what you need to do to get a job, especially in this economy. If they are not willing to put the extra effort in, then they won't find a job, because there are plenty of other people that are willing to put in the extra effort. It might be tiring at first, but their bodies will adjust to the new schedule.
3 people like this
@bitoffun (203)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I`m gonna try purple, it`s gonna be hard though. They can come up with every excuse in the book why they don`t want to go to able body. It`s like temp place. But you have to be there at 5:30am and you coulod be sitting there for hours. But once you get a job it could last one day or two weeks. We keep pushing that idea on them but they won`t do it.
@bitoffun (203)
• United States
1 Oct 09
Thank you purple. I did talk to my hubby before I talked to my boys. he was very glad to hear me say what I was going to do.
• United States
1 Oct 09
I have been at a couple places that hired temporary workers and liked them so well that they offered them a job when the temporary placement was done. It doesn't happen all the time, but it can and does happen sometimes. Besides, it sounds like at this point even one days work would be better than nothing. Also, the more jobs that they can get and do well at, the better their chances for finding placement and the better their resumes will be. I am sure that they will give you resistance at first, but you have to be firm and don't let them talk you out of it. Monday, if they are not up when they should be, then you should wake them up and tell them to get going. They might not like it, but it will show them that you are really serious about this. That might also help your relationship with your husband, because he will see that you are really trying to get your boys to help with the household finances. Good luck, and I hope that it goes well.
1 person likes this
@rosepedal64 (4188)
• United States
30 Sep 09
Hello bitoffun I have been in a situtation something like that before. I know this might not be what you want to hear but please hear me out. My older son a few years back didn't have a job and his girlfriend kicked out. So he came running to me. He knew that I wouldn't put him out either. I did have to tell him a little later that time was up and he needed to do something. He did that and got out within a couple of weeks. My point being that the boys probably know that you will support them as long as need be. That might have a big part in why they are not working toward getting a better job. I know no mother wants to hear this but I would highly recomend that you tell the boys that it it time to find something else to work at. Let them know that it can cause problems between you and your hubby. I wish the best of luck and have a great day..Let us know how it turns out. Keep smiling..
1 person likes this
@bitoffun (203)
• United States
1 Oct 09
aharter, you are not offending me at all. And you guessed right. They stay up late either watching TV or playing guitar hero or on the PC. My oldest is 21 and the other is 18. They both went to Job Corp and learned a trade but they can`t find work in those trades. Welding, building mait. You see I grew up hating my dad and I have this fear of them hating me if I get too tough on them. Plus they have no place to go if I ever did tell them to move out. They can see how bare the cupboards get and the fridge. Their dad (my ex) pays for their cell phones. And he also gives them a gas card with a $25 a week limit. They can`t move in with thier dad cause he lives with his girlfriend in another town and he couldn`t handle them anyway. My oldest totaled his SUV this year. That`s his 3rd car. My 18 yr old has a scooter. They do sometimes go looking but most places tell them to apply on line. I plan on sitting them both down this weekend and telling them I will get them up myself starting monday to go to Able body. I`m scared to do it but they need to help us. We feel like we are feeding a herd of cattle. My husbands son just turned 15. I just hope they don`t start yelling at me. I hate that. They always tell me they love me and hug me all the time but let me get onto them for something and they argue and yell. My mom is getting on them both too.
• United States
30 Sep 09
Oh bitoffun..I do feel for you so much. I know it is hard to handle those adult sons. I have went thru so much with my oldest that I cant begin to tell you. Yes they are putting you in the middle. As bad as it may sound you might have to treat them like when they was younger. You know like demand them to do something, set the alarm clock and so on.. I will keep you in my thoughts and hope that something good will come out for you. Keep smiling..
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Oct 09
Hello bitoffun...I hope that things work out for you. I think with their ages that they know that mom is going to help no matter what. Believe me when I say I know what you are going thru. I just spoke with a man about my oldest son. He told me one thing that I would like to share with you. As parents we have that tendency to enable our adult children with their actions. We have to stop and tell them that they are adults now and that we can be their moral support but that is all we can do. I thought of you when he told me this and I wanted to share with you. I know it is going to be hard but we have to let our kids be adults and treat like adults. I wouldn't worry about them hating you because you are mom and they will see that what you did was the best for them. I wish you the best of luck and please let me know how it works out. I will be thinking of you.
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I would sit them down and tell them that living with you is not a free ride. They are responsible for getting out and finding work. You have to stick up for your husband. Your boys are now adults and should have responsability. They should have things they do at the house to help you out and should be trying every day to find something, even if it is a fast food joint. It sounds like they are trying, but they need to try harder. You guys cannot keep this up. As for your husband, you need to sit down with him and talk with him. Find out what he would like them to do, to make him feel like they are pulling their weight. He has alot on his plate also. My daughter lived with us at that age. She left at 18 and couldn't make it because she wasn't working. She would sleep all day, and up all night. We finally had to make a plan and sit her down and tell her what is expected of her, and that there would be no excuses from her. We did not get nasty, we sat down and made a plan, we then sat down and told her how it was. You have to be strong, your kids won't want you with them forever, and you need to have someone to be happy with too.
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I am so glad that it went well. We will see if they do it, or just don't pay attention. I hope everything goes smoothly.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I hope so, and good luck.
@bitoffun (203)
• United States
1 Oct 09
Oh they will pay attention. You all here gave me some guts lol. They just now got a call from the place they do security at. They have to work Saturday night from 8pm to midnight. If that place would just give them more hours they would be fine.
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
30 Sep 09
Ma I am not sure how to handle this. The stress you and your hubby are going threw is difficult. All i can do is be here to listen. I would try to talk to him and let him know how you feel. Maybe the boys could look for part time work too?
1 person likes this
@bitoffun (203)
• United States
30 Sep 09
Hey babe, they have been looking for anything. The only thing we can not get them to do is to go to a place here called able body. You have to be there at 5:30am and wait for a job. But I have two friends that are working there. If they would just go a few times they would find a job that could last a month. Even a few weeks would be fine. They are so stubborn. If they become regulars they would have work. They can make $50 a day if they get hired as a temp somewhere.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Sep 09
I hope that I didn't sound unsympathetic in my reply below, because I really do understand and feel sorry for the position that you are in, Bitoffun. You are caught in between your husband and your kids, and that is not a good place to be. Like Angie said, though, you can't be there for them forever, and they need to be able to fend for themselves while you are still here to give them pointers, encouragement, kisses and hugs when they are frustrated, and "atta boys" when they succeed. Then, they will not only be better prepared to handle whatever life throws at them but also be able to grab and run with any opportunities that they happen upon.
2 people like this