Dad’s Dilemma: Should He Leave His Troubled 18-Year-Old Behind?

Picture this: you’ve been raising your stepson since he was a toddler, but he’s now 18 with emotional issues and refuses to take his medication. You and your wife have just received job offers in another state, and it’s time to make a life-changing decision. Do you take your troubled son with you, or leave him behind with his biological father? This is the heart-wrenching dilemma one father faces, and he’s seeking advice on whether he’s being unreasonable. Let’s dive into his story.

The Family Dynamic

Marc’s Emotional Struggles

Medication Rebellion

A Downward Spiral ⬇️

Anxiety and Rage

Destruction and Refusal ️

The Big Move

Wife’s Concerns

Dad’s Dilemma

Visits and Conversations ️

Biased Perspective?

Sisters’ Safety

Ultimatums and Behavior ⚖️

To Move or Not to Move: The Heartbreaking Decision

This father is torn between the opportunity to start fresh in a new state and the responsibility he feels for his troubled 18-year-old stepson, Marc. With a history of emotional issues, medication refusal, and destructive behavior, the dad wonders if leaving Marc behind with his biological father is the best choice for everyone involved. It’s a decision that weighs heavily on his heart, as he considers the safety of his younger daughters and the potential for a better life for the entire family. Let’s see what the internet thinks of this situation…

Step-father struggling with mentally ill step-son, receives mixed responses.

Parenting a troubled teen with ADHD & HFA: tough love or enablement?

Caring for a mentally ill adult is a lifelong journey. Move without him.

Caring for a mentally ill person is tough. NTA for considering.

Suggestion of mental health facility for troubled 18-year-old

Choosing between tough love and homelessness for troubled son.

Leaving behind a troubled adult son for a healthier home?

Parent struggles with decision to leave troubled 18-year-old behind.

Pushing the baby bird out of the nest

18-year-old refuses meds, NTA for leaving him behind

Dad struggles with leaving sick 18-year-old behind, no assholes here

A tough decision for the dad, but rules must be set.

Is it fair to give up on troubled teenagers?

Tough love for troubled son: NTA for setting boundaries

Bio dad to the rescue? Commenter supports dad’s decision.

Navigating tough decisions and therapy with a high-functioning child.

18-year-old’s refusal to take meds puts dad in tough spot

Dealing with a troubled 18-year-old son who refuses treatment. ‍♂️

Considering the impact on all children, NTA if it helps.

Could demand avoidance autism explain his behavior?

Suggest exploring medication alternatives and therapist options. ‍

Growing up with a violent sibling with schizophrenia. NTA.

A soft YTA. Conversation tips for medication noncompliance in serious mental illness.

Have an open and honest conversation with Marc’s dad first

Commendation for NTA’s thoughtful consideration of difficult family situation

A mother’s empathetic advice on living with a bipolar ex-partner.

Struggling with mental illness, commenter suggests ultimatum for troubled son.

Enabling won’t help. Outside help or intervention needed.

Navigating mental health and family dynamics is tough.

Supportive comment from someone who understands family struggles.

Leaving without a plan? NTA but work things out first

Protecting the safety of children from a mentally ill family member.

Setting limits for troubled son to protect younger siblings. NTA.

Parenting is not easy, but abandoning your child is not okay

18-year-old son with big issues: Dad’s dilemma, NTA

Leaving troubled 18-year-old with bio-dad: NAH. Reality check needed.

Prioritizing family safety over a violent bipolar relative. NTA.

A heartbreaking situation where NTA needs to prioritize his daughters

Stepson’s aggressive behavior puts daughters in danger. NTA for concern.

Suggests asking dad to take troubled 18-year-old, with medication condition

Supportive comment suggests seeking alternative treatment options for troubled stepson.

When your child refuses help and endangers others

Choosing to leave a troubled 18-year-old behind. NTA

Encouraging medication adherence for troubled 18-year-old son.

Including troubled son with medication condition could be a solution

Encouraging independence and understanding medication concerns.

Struggling with a troubled 18-year-old? NTA, prioritize the younger ones

Sink or swim? One dad chooses tough love. NTA

Siblings’ safety should come first. NTA for considering leaving him.

NTA and medication may be necessary for family safety.

Prioritizing daughter’s safety over son’s mental health is NTA decision

Commenter calls out dad for neglecting his troubled 18-year-old.