11yr old attitude ishoos

[Handywoman]

How do you deal with this??????

My dd1 has hit puberty in full force.
She has also started secondary.
Is a very social butterfly and has lots of friends.

She is now doing a very good impression of something from 'Kevin and Perry' and I have to put a rocket up her backside just to get her to start a bit of homework. Or pick an item of clothing from the floor. Or brush her teeth.

Any words of wisdom or someone to hold my hand?

Basically this is it, isn't it teenagerdom........

[Heyho111]

Please read the book. Get out my life but first take me and Alex to town. It will help you get you through the next few years without going insane !

[ReallyConfusedDotCom]

Are you me Handy? My lovely little girl has turned into a monster. Thanks Hey* going to check that book out.

[Medge68]

Through gritted teeth? DS12 is starting with the same - bit jeckyl and Hyde - lovely one minute, nightmare the next! Have been through it twice already but my memory appears to have erased it - maybe a good thing! Just like the other stages of parenthood really - just stick with it and bumble through and remember that mantra - it's just a phase!!! Sorry not helpful!! The best thing I find is that unlike toddlers you generally don't need to deal with issues immediately and can walk away and think about the situation.

[ReallyConfusedDotCom]

I'm just trying to learn to walk away. It's really hard not to bite back, but that's what causes the arguments.

[insanityscratching]

Choose your battles carefully and notice every bit of niceness so as to make it all seem less grim. Don't battle over homework, let school issue the consequences and she will soon learn that doing the homework is ten times easier than detention. Turn a deaf ear to muttering under her breath, sighing and strops but don't allow swearing and direct insults. Treat her occasionally to a magazine or a bar of chocolate regardless because she needs to know you love her no matter what.
Dd1 is 21 and we came through pretty unscathed this way. Just doing it all over again with dd2.

[Handywoman]

Thanks guys. Have bought the book. It might just save me. Good to know I'm not alone.