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Very rude teen son

186 replies

ChristmasHound · 01/12/2024 09:48

Seeking some advice please. My (almost) teen son has become extremely rude and disrespectful towards me/his sibling and occasionally his Dad but mostly towards me. He’s begun to insult my appearance calling me “Megamind”, says how big my nose is, walks up to me measuring my forehead and has begun to say “you’re a big girl” and insults my teeth. (I’m only a size 10 and petite) We look extremely similar, same nose, forehead, teeth etc so I tell him he’s just insulting himself as we look the same. He also constantly uses how I have ADHD as an insult “ok ADHD” (He is currently being assessed himself for ASD and ADHD) He’s in a class with many friends who are autistic or have ADHD.

It’s a huge problem though and very waring. I just took his breakfast up to his room as a Sunday treat and first thing he said was “oh you’re looking like a Megamind today!” 🙄

OP posts:
newfluffybag · 01/12/2024 11:04

I think the issue is you are not standing up for yourself against your DH and because of this your son sees you as weak and doesn't have any respect for you. Show both of them you are not going to be their punchbag any more and really mean it. You will gain respect from your son.

CharlotteCollinsneeLucas · 01/12/2024 11:03

Sometimes you are dealing with this well. Be consistent: a consequence every time. Yes, of course it's nice to treat your child but not if his behaviour says he doesn't value that treat!

The WiFi consequence clearly works well and when you're living away from STBXH you can apply this consistently.

Also, it's not nice seeing your child cry, but sometimes you have to resist the urge to fix it for them: he is learning the consequences of his actions while he goes through those emotions. You can be there for him, but don't feel guilty because it was his actions that led to an interaction with his mum that upset him.

ChristmasHound · 01/12/2024 11:02

Eyestothehorizon558 · 01/12/2024 10:57

OMG I managed to miss this.

Wow. Well your son is just learning from his dad then?

No wonder your son is expressing himself disrespectfully. He is obviously testing the waters with you,

I would bring your plans forward to leave op. Poor lad. All of that sweetness will dissipate if his dad’s behaviour is unchallenged in his presence.

Do you have any other strong women in your life that you can bring in to your home op to support you? Aunts, friends, work colleagues who won’t tolerate any misogynistic nonsense?

DH would not talk like that in front of others, he’s seen as a brilliant husband. I’m so lucky etc. My Mum and Dad pull him up though (DS I mean)

OP posts:
MakemyTeaPlease · 01/12/2024 11:02

This is a common problem when you live with an abuser and it’s not often recognised. Lundy Bancroft talks about this in his book and says that women are often abused twice, the second time by their children. Women’s aid can help you with this.

Two of my friends who were abused by their husbands were also abused by their teenage children and continue to be abused now those children are adults. You need help from professional people who understand this dynamic because if you don’t this will be your relationship with your son for the rest of your life.

His complaint that it isn’t fair he doesn’t get to abuse you is very very worrying. He knows what he is doing and he doesn’t feel any remorse about it. You will not earn his respect by being a skivvy and giving him treats, you’ll get more of the same and worse.

ChristmasHound · 01/12/2024 10:59

SuperfluousHen · 01/12/2024 10:48

”This problem wont magically stop when you leave your husband because they’ll be having contact. In fact it might get worse ”

sadly I agree with this 100%

I see a relative’s son (8) emulate his father’s abusive behaviour, particularly after contact. The boy behaves like a mini-me of his dad (who he unfortunately idolises).

It’s a constant battle (and I mean battle) to try to re-set him twice a week and get him to behave properly and it’s not yet clear which way he’s going to go as he gets older.

He does idolise his Dad unfortunately. I’m not perfect by any means but it does feel like our son has an angel and a devil on each shoulder, one who tries to get him to be a good person, kind and have empathy and another who completely undoes any positive attitudes I try for him to have.

OP posts:
Eyestothehorizon558 · 01/12/2024 10:57

ChristmasHound · 01/12/2024 10:06

Soon to be leaving. Getting a plan together. His Dad is vile when driving and calls women fat messes/look at that disgusting thing/look at her, off to McDonald’s to stuff her face I bet! DS finds it hilarious. Insults me, has referred to me as Cletus (the slack jawed yokel) from The Simpsons (DH has)

OMG I managed to miss this.

Wow. Well your son is just learning from his dad then?

No wonder your son is expressing himself disrespectfully. He is obviously testing the waters with you,

I would bring your plans forward to leave op. Poor lad. All of that sweetness will dissipate if his dad’s behaviour is unchallenged in his presence.

Do you have any other strong women in your life that you can bring in to your home op to support you? Aunts, friends, work colleagues who won’t tolerate any misogynistic nonsense?

Helixpoint · 01/12/2024 10:55

Like father like son I’m afraid

Diomi · 01/12/2024 10:54

He needs to learn the real consequences of being nasty to people. I would explain to him that you will never bring him breakfast in bed again because he was rude to you.Then never do it again in your life. Otherwise you are showing him that his mum will remain servile even when he treats her like shit. At the moment he is getting a random consequence like the WiFi switched off.

Also, you should not feel guilty about him crying. Being upset is the right reaction for him to have after being horrible to you and you should be relieved he has normal emotions. It would be far more worrying if he wasn’t upset.

Cousins4 · 01/12/2024 10:54

Yep, be really firm with this and consequences every time. Demand respect from him.

Also spend 1:1 time with him doing something he enjoys, bowling, cinema, gaming etc build that relationship back up.

My AUDHD teen wouldn't dream of speaking to me like that.

Huffalumps · 01/12/2024 10:53

Your son is right: father is a misogynistic twat and you don't give him any consequences. Thus your son feels entitled to act as his dad does.

I have in my family this exact dynamic. Eerily similar. Mother is 100% on the side of DS (diagnosed ASD), would defend him even if he killed someone, never issue serious consequences to serious behaviour. Father on the one hand leads his son's behaviour by setting the example. On the other hand (i.e. when it immediately affects his life) responds to son with vile, degrading insults and overly harsh punitive punishments.

I don't know what this sort of toxic family dynamic is called. But I've seen it in action. Child grows up feeling hugely entitled. Has led to massive power conflicts at school. He's simply not a nice person to be around really. No one takes responsibility for his behaviour, not least the boy himself. Everyone just blames someone else i.e. mum/dad/school.

JazzyJelly · 01/12/2024 10:52

Why do you want him to have a treat when he's behaving so foully? You're teaching him this is an acceptable way to treat women, doing him no favours in the long run.

WatchOutForBabyHaggis · 01/12/2024 10:49

I still gave him the breakfast as I don’t agree in taking food away but it’s a massive issue

And there's your problem.

The example he's getting from his father is obviously a huge issue. Your oh sounds like a vile pig and you need to kick him out.

But you are quite literally rewarding your ds's vile behaviour. Why, for God's sake? Until your oh is gone you might not be able to control how your child hears his dad speak around the house. But you CAN control your actions and reactions and you are NOT doing him a kindness by reinforcing his behaviour.

If one of my kids spoke to me like that they'd not only have their breakfast in the bin but they wouldn't see the light of day except for school for a fortnight and they'd have zero tech or WiFi for the period either.

And bollocks to the wet-wipe 'sit him down and kindly explain why his words are hurtful' approach. That's great for five year olds but he's TWELVE. He needs a short sharp shock, some honest facts and a clear message that his disgusting insults will not be tolerated for one second.

He's been unkind, used vile language and has verbally abused you. TELL HIM THAT. Ask him if people usually want vile abusive friends? Ask him if he thinks any girls will find that behaviour attractive? Tell him he's going to have a sad, lonely life where people avoid him if he doesn't change his ways.

Be fucking angry, not 'kind'.

SuperfluousHen · 01/12/2024 10:48

MakemyTeaPlease · 01/12/2024 10:40

Your son has openly said that he wants the same privileges his abusive father has,

Abusive men often encourage children to abuse their mothers and it can be hard to discipline them when their fathers support their abuse. I think you have fallen into the trap of being extra nice to your son in the hope he will stop.

Your son is learning that being abusive gets him privileges like breakfast in bed and treats. Like a pp said, who gives a child breakfast in bed? And a rude mean one at that. Stop grovelling to him, stop the treats. This problem wont magically stop when you leave your husband because they’ll be having contact. In fact it might get worse so you need to find a way to deal with it properly.

You do not make breakfast in bed for people who call you names, whether that’s an adult or a child.

”This problem wont magically stop when you leave your husband because they’ll be having contact. In fact it might get worse ”

sadly I agree with this 100%

I see a relative’s son (8) emulate his father’s abusive behaviour, particularly after contact. The boy behaves like a mini-me of his dad (who he unfortunately idolises).

It’s a constant battle (and I mean battle) to try to re-set him twice a week and get him to behave properly and it’s not yet clear which way he’s going to go as he gets older.

Eyestothehorizon558 · 01/12/2024 10:47

I hope you took his breakfast away when he said that op!

His dad should be stepping in hard and stamping down on this behaviour, “do not speak to your mother this way” or “no one is disrespectful to my wife including you”.

And similarly, you must keep very calm, straighten up and look him in the eye op and say things like “speaking to me like that is unacceptable” and make sure you never respond to him when he is rude other than to tell him it’s wrong. Do not engage in back and forths. Leave the room. He does not get your attention full stop until he can speak decently to you.

And of course follow through with no lifts, turning off wi-fi, losing part of his allowance, more chores, or whatever you decide is fair.

Obviously, if he has ASD or ADHD, that will affect his impulsivity and his ability to assess how much he is hurting you, which all teens are bad at understanding anyway.

My daughter with ASD would sometimes “chase dopamine” by causing an argument or bait me when she was bored or couldn’t identify her own feelings, but knew she was angry or upset, but couldn’t express it properly. So allowances have to be made, but ultimately every child or teen needs to learn what is acceptable behaviour and what is not, for their own sake as much as ours. The outside world is not going to be as understanding as we are.

Another approach is, “if something is troubling you then you can talk to me about it reasonably and I’ll listen?”

Try and listen to the emotion behind the words and not to the words themselves.
Are they bored, frustrated with having too little control or responsibility, plain mischievous, trying to engage in power games, or genuinely upset about something? That will help you to choose your approach but the base line is that rudeness and disrespectful behaviour is unacceptable.

You can pause and take a long look at him and say, “you disappoint me when you speak that way” or “I thought you were cleverer than that”.

Sometimes you can use humour to deflect “yeah yeah my nose is at least six times as big as yours, now get your yourself downstairs for breakfast please”.

We have dds but once when my dd with ASD was really rude to me, my dh stepped in and said “your mother and I are going out” and I was half way through cooking dinner. Her sister was out, so my dd got left alone, with no dinner, and dh and I stayed out late, and that got the message through that being rude led to immediate disengagement.

Alongside that we pushed the message that if is she was unhappy about something, she had to speak to us respectfully and we would listen. Of course they need help regulating themselves, so they may not always get it right, but encourage even the smallest attempt to self regulate.

And you and his dad must be very quick to pick up on any tiny positive thing he does - can be hard at this age 😀 - and praise him a lot for it.

Look after yourself too op while this is going on, because it’s so draining and upsetting. Treat yourself to nights out. Exercise. Build up your self esteem so your are not susceptible to any ridiculous insults. Don’t take what he says to heart,

Take up hobbies you enjoy and makes you laugh. Confide in one trustworthy friend who won’t blab and has teens themselves. Go out alone more often and out more often with your dh. Bring your friends home. I’m sure you are not, but don’t give your ds any reason to believe that you are the little woman at home there to serve everyone else’s needs. Maybe hold off delivering breakfast in bed for a while while this behaviour is going on! 😀. Good luck.

EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 01/12/2024 10:47

I’ve just RTFT

Rather than punishing him for things that are not his fault - his scumbag dad and, sorry OP, a mother who does nothing about his horrible dad except undermine herself and her authority, are both to blame here - why not model good behaviour by leaving his dad or at least standing up from yourself and showing how unacceptable nastiness is.

Brickiscool · 01/12/2024 10:46

Walking straight out the bedroom with the food and having it available for him downstairs in the kitchen isnt withdrawing food?

Explain to him that you don't like it, he must not say it and remove his phone every single time without fail. So rude once phone gone for rest of day.

Also a DH problem

edwinbear · 01/12/2024 10:45

You change the password for the wifi. Give it to DH but not DS.

jeaux90 · 01/12/2024 10:45

So he's learning it from your abusive DH.

I think there is some real dissonance on your part here OP to come on here and ask for help with this when you know the root of the issue is his father is modelling the behaviour he is copying.

When you leave your revolting partner make sure you tell your DS why. So he knows the behaviour is unacceptable and has consequences.

Alittlebitfluffy · 01/12/2024 10:44

BettyBardMacDonald · 01/12/2024 10:33

You are serving breakfast in bed to a little disrespectful misogynistic brat? What the actual fuck?

He is raised to be the image of his father. Without severe intervention and counseling, it's probably too late.

One hundred percent this. He's seen you tolerate this and roll over where his rather is concerned, so he expects to do the same. You're raising a clone of his father by not challenging this. Absolutely ridiculous.

Sidebeforeself · 01/12/2024 10:41

Can you not see what a mixed message you are giving him by giving him his Sunday treat just after he’s been horrible to you?

Your DH sounds awful but your behaviour needs looking at too. The son sees his Dad “ getting away “ with treating you badly, so is mimicking that. You have the power to change your behaviour though.

Alittlebitfluffy · 01/12/2024 10:41

ChristmasHound · 01/12/2024 09:58

I still gave him the breakfast as I don’t agree in taking food away but it’s a massive issue.

You're not going to change the behaviour when you reward it like this. Assert some boundaries! Let him make his own bloody breakfast of he's being a shit, he's 12!

SuperfluousHen · 01/12/2024 10:40

Lotsofsnacks · 01/12/2024 10:37

All learnt behaviour from his pig of a dad (sorry that’s insulting to pigs)!! Leave your h and sooner the better. You can turn this around re: ds. Keep doing more of the same, as your last post, b strong and do not take any crap from either of them!! Consequences for ds every time. Do not feel guilty to the crying, he’s old enough to know this isn’t ok!!!

You’ve got to show him his words are hurting your feelings, every time he does this. And you need to start being stronger in front of arsehole dh when he calls u names in front of dc, every time!! U said on last post h was surprised by your strong actions and stern side, keep it up 💪

“You’ve got to show him his words are hurting your feelings, every time he does this.”

How will this help?
He will just despise her even more.

He doesn’t give a hoot about her feelings.
What he cares about is having the internet etc.

Punish the bad behaviour don’t beg for mercy!

MakemyTeaPlease · 01/12/2024 10:40

Your son has openly said that he wants the same privileges his abusive father has,

Abusive men often encourage children to abuse their mothers and it can be hard to discipline them when their fathers support their abuse. I think you have fallen into the trap of being extra nice to your son in the hope he will stop.

Your son is learning that being abusive gets him privileges like breakfast in bed and treats. Like a pp said, who gives a child breakfast in bed? And a rude mean one at that. Stop grovelling to him, stop the treats. This problem wont magically stop when you leave your husband because they’ll be having contact. In fact it might get worse so you need to find a way to deal with it properly.

You do not make breakfast in bed for people who call you names, whether that’s an adult or a child.

Pussycat22 · 01/12/2024 10:39

You got yourself a carbon copy of your enchanting abusive husband. Your son will go on to treat his partner in the same way and then there will be more fallout. Try to stop this situation perpetuating. I know I've been there and got rid. NOBODY is going to treat me badly if I can help it. Please, save yourself. x

Lotsofsnacks · 01/12/2024 10:37

All learnt behaviour from his pig of a dad (sorry that’s insulting to pigs)!! Leave your h and sooner the better. You can turn this around re: ds. Keep doing more of the same, as your last post, b strong and do not take any crap from either of them!! Consequences for ds every time. Do not feel guilty to the crying, he’s old enough to know this isn’t ok!!!

You’ve got to show him his words are hurting your feelings, every time he does this. And you need to start being stronger in front of arsehole dh when he calls u names in front of dc, every time!! U said on last post h was surprised by your strong actions and stern side, keep it up 💪

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