A concerned mother reached out to The Best T in the City with Tbose to discuss a sensitive family issue involving her 28-year-old son. She is worried about his frequent introductions of new girlfriends to the family and the steady stream of other women visiting their home, as he lives in the back room. Her husband, the son’s stepfather, feels it may be time for him to move out and gain independence, especially given his stable job and good income. However, the mother is hesitant and unsure of how to proceed.
The mother acknowledges that the steady movement of different women in and out of their home is unsettling. Yet, she feels comforted by having her son close by, as he’s her only child and someone she raised on her own since the age of 16. She has always felt a protective instinct towards him, particularly since he has faced mental health challenges in the past. This history makes her anxious at the thought of him living alone, as she feels she can support and monitor him better while he’s at home.
While she understands her husband’s perspective on the importance of independence, she struggles to let go. She’s now seeking advice from other parents, particularly mothers of only children, on how to navigate this potential transition. “Is it time to cut the umbilical cord?” she wonders, hoping for insights on balancing her need for reassurance with her son’s desire to establish his own life.
