There was an interesting Diane Rehm show yesterday about Mothers and Sons. I only heard part of it, but the guest said that there is a very strong bond between a son and a mother who raised him alone. He can feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and feel like he has to pay her back for all that she has done for him. Considering bf flunked out of college and got in trouble with drugs, he must feel like he owes his mom a lot (apart from any $$$ support she is giving him now). And thinking of her health...
I haven't listened to the whole thing. Just the little part I listened was unsettling. This probably tweaks my own troubled parental issues and childlessness...