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Should I bother?

(18 Posts)
BlueberryPie Fri 06-Jan-23 20:56:51

I mean it would be up to the older son to try to make amends.

BlueberryPie Fri 06-Jan-23 20:56:08

If I was the younger one and had been bullied by the older one, I think any real mending of the relationship would have to start with the older one truly understanding the extent of the hurt he caused, then sincerely apologizing.

I would speak to older son about attending therapy for this, and then following the professional advice on it.

I don't know if he'd want to go through all that but it sounds like the younger son does have cause to not want to be close to him at this point and it would be up to him to try to make amends.

HotfootSue67 Fri 06-Jan-23 19:42:38

Time has moved on and your older son is missing his younger Brother now that he's grown up and probably realised that what he did wasn't good. Maybe if he phoned him and apologised ( And it's never too late ) and ask to meet up with him, maybe go for a drink? and a catch up of what's happening in each other's world. One day they will need each other when the time moves on, parents don't live forever...

V3ra Fri 06-Jan-23 17:45:21

Do your two sons have a shared interest eg supporting the same football team? They could go to a match together, as a boys day out.
It's up to the two of them as adults to organise it though.

It never ceases to amuse me how many family members, and we've had our share, come out with the "you never phone" line 🙄

kircubbin2000 Fri 06-Jan-23 17:29:32

I think I'll leave it.Seeing them separately will do.

Hithere Fri 06-Jan-23 16:56:02

Wants are OK to have
How realistic those wants are is a different can of worms and a mother doesn't have any control over that unfortunately

silverlining48 Fri 06-Jan-23 16:31:34

Of course most mothers want their children to be close and it’s disappointing if they aren’t. Kircubbin flowers

Allsorts Fri 06-Jan-23 16:27:45

I can’t see anything wrong with a mom wanting to see her two sons and partners for a meal. It was busy with 13 people and at least you could talk to them. No need to ask them questions about their relationship, just general light conversation, if it’s a disaster you needn’t try again. You are just being a kind mom in my eyes,

BlueBelle Fri 06-Jan-23 16:22:38

Oh no don’t invite them both it will probably disappoint you
Leave it you cannot force friendship where there is none
See them equally but separately

Hithere Fri 06-Jan-23 16:22:35

No way you should be involved

Two adults can call each other if they are interested

silverlining48 Fri 06-Jan-23 16:20:20

It may be your dil is supporting your son, her partner, because of the bullying which went on. It really is up to them. If your older son wants to see his brother he needs to contact him and talk. An apology maybe.

Blondiescot Fri 06-Jan-23 16:19:47

They're adults, leave them to it. There's no law which says family members have to be close to one another.

LovelyCuppa Fri 06-Jan-23 16:19:45

Why do you think your younger son doesn’t bother with his elder brother? This would tell me if a reconciliation is likely or if it is best that you stay out of it.

Kim19 Fri 06-Jan-23 16:18:31

I would invite them both out for a meal and measure the response carefully.

JaneJudge Fri 06-Jan-23 16:14:19

I would leave them to it too flowers

silverlining48 Fri 06-Jan-23 16:12:08

It might be best to leave them to make their own arrangements to meet, but if you do decide to do this can you make it just you and the two sons, without their Partners. If there us animosity it won’t be comfortable.
My mum tried to do this with her two grandchildren sadly it didn’t work. They are nearing 50 now and no closer, but I suppose at least she tried.

Grandmabatty Fri 06-Jan-23 16:11:49

The phone works both ways I believe. Does your son who complains ever call his brother? I would keep out of it.

kircubbin2000 Fri 06-Jan-23 16:01:33

My 2 sons are not close.Younger one was bullied a lot by his brother growing up. After Christmas 13 of the family met for a meal and it was so noisy with all the children in a small house that there was not much conversation between them and the older one has complained to me that his brother never phones him and the only time he sees him is at family gatherings.
I was thinking of inviting them both to a meal out but am wondering if I should just let them be. Younger son's wife can't stand my eldest and I feel she may be behind some of the distance.