The backpackers idea is a really good one, L&B, thank you. Trill, I think I'm wary of him moving in and never moving out, even if he does pay rent. His older brother did that to me last year - asked if he could stay for 2 weeks coz he already had another sharehouse to move to. But after he'd moved in, that sharehouse, strangely enough, fell through, so could he just pay board until he found a place? 6 months later I had not received one cent in board and he had settled in nicely to Mum feeding him and putting a roof over his head. I've been bitten before and so am very leery of it happening again.

I will speak to him again soon and suggest the backpackers. I will even look for one for him that is fairly central. And you're right, it's a good way for him to make friends too.

I haven't thought about suggesting the mines. He is still under 18 until June so I think that makes it difficult. But I also gather he doesn't want to stay in Perth (where it's easiest to get a job on the mines). For all his faults, he is a very shy boy, and he often gets bullied, and I worry about him in a place where there is so much testosterone too (am I a mum or what?). One of the reasons he's not getting on with DD's bf is because the bf is very very alpha male and can be quite aggressive and my 18yo doesn't deal with that well. He just retreats.

I just want him to be happy, you know? And I'm trying to do what's best for him, even if he doesn't realise it. You're only young once, you should be out there living life, not hiding at home under your mum's skirt!