Ah, that makes sense. Thanks. Actually, I suspect this is happening more and more in this country as well as it is more expensive to go to university and we no longer get the free student grants (loans all the way now...) so more and more are choosing to go to a local university and stay at home. In my day (back when dinosaurs walked the earth and there was this new thing called a c-ompu-ter which every one was raving about) every student's main desire was to get as far away from thier parents as possible and live in a scrotty little room for three years living off pizza and beer. Now I think most want the home comforts

Amber, most of what I posted about the OP's situation above already assumed that he was aware of the situation and her feelings about it. I may have been mistaken in making that assumption so your points about communication are well made. Though I am not sure it is a situation of 'him needing to do something' (like, I dunno, ride in on a white horse and sort everything out) but rather him being aware of what is going on, being suitably (and if required quietly) supportive and presenting the best possible image of both him and thier relationship to the parents so that they are comfortable with what is going on. As I said above, I think direct action would risk precipitating a major incident which could make things a lot worse.

Hmm... I can see another thread spinning of this one... off to post it now...