Now, I know my mother (who maybe wouldn't win awards, I admit) occasionally was out until after we were in bed. Once or twice. I know once was her little brother and his wife went to hospital so she was there with their children, who are 11-15 years younger than me. So me and my little sister would be early teens. Once was a netball match, she was due home at 9 but disloacted a finger and ended up in Friday night A&E until gone midnight. Think we were 12 and 14 then.

If it is a regular thing then that's VERY worrying and not right. It's a mite overprotective if the mother is out once and the son wants company, but not at all if this mother is rarely around, doesn't provide meals and doesn't provide any care. Walking home at 10.30 - I would be worried if DH were to do this! Actually, he doesn't. I have done it occasionally but as I walk home from the village due to a book club and he'd walk home from town after a few drinks then it's different. So I'd say not overprotective in this instance. Good for you for showing this poor lad things can - and should - be different.