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I’ve just completely lost it with my daughter

506 replies

imsoverytired82 · 28/02/2026 23:44

I’ve just completely lost it with my 11 year old daughter

I’ve been so stressed this week. I’ve got issues at work and I haven’t slept

my daughter has been nagging all week about her world book day outfit. She’s asked so many times despite me telling her I’d ordered it. It arrived today and she’s still asking for more for it even though I’d said to her I can’t afford any more. Now she’s onto football boots (she’s had 1 session) and keeps asking. She is autistic so deep down I know she can’t help it. once she gets what she wants she’s onto the next thing.

its 11 and I finally got into bed and went into a deep sleep.My first in ages. She’s shouting my name lying in bed saying I need to take her to buy boots.

i wake up startled and go mad at her an drag her out of bed. Say some really horrible things to her. Scream at her. I’m so so sick of her just constantly not being satisfied until she’s getting something. It’s almost that she doesn’t care what it is as long as she’s getting something.

im so sick because she doesn’t care about anything other than ‘getting’.

OP posts:
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StartingFreshFor2026 · 05/03/2026 18:53

Muffinmam · 05/03/2026 02:30

You need to medicate her. You shouldn’t have to put up with this.

I’m a mother to a severely autistic child. I have noticed that some behaviours are very clearly OCD. I know this because I have OCD and am medicated. My OCD started when I was in primary school. By the time I was in highschool it was severe.

Medication absolutely works. I still have rituals and weird behaviour but it seems more like a process rather than debilitating repetitive behaviours that severely impact my life.

After my son was diagnosed with severe autism I came across a mother and her adult son in the shops. Her son was obviously autistic. He would repeatedly ask for things over and over and get aggressive when his mother said no. He would scream and moan and shout. I just thought that I would not accept that life and would medicate my child if he behaved like that. I didn’t understand why the mother didn’t medicate him.

My child does ask for things and does get fixated on acquiring things. If I buy them for him he seems satisfied but rather quickly loses interest. I figure that it is his age but if the behaviour continues when he’s older then I will need to deal with it.

Her waking you up at 11pm is absolutely not on. I would have reacted similarly. People don’t understand the absolute trauma having a child with autism can be.

I disagree with the “shopping day” recommendation. I would put a stop to buying her anything and also do a massive clear out of her room - this is to stop the association of you being equated as the person who will buy her stuff.

There are pharmaceutical options for treating OCD. I also suggest something to put her to sleep at night.

I am in a similar situation to you, OCD myself, severely autistic child with OCD (who is medicated). I would say:

  1. It is very difficult to get a child medicated for OCD (e.g. with an SSRI). A Psychiatrist has to prescribe. Similarly for 'something to put her to sleep at night'. You might get melatonin but I know even very severely disabled children who their doctors refuse to prescribe melatonin to. Melatonin is not particularly powerful. No doctor is going to give a low needs autistic child a sedative to 'put' them to sleep.

  2. My child is medicated and his OCD is still severe and completely dominates his day. It's like the effect of the medication has worn off now. Different people react differently to medications. I would be so cautious about seeing it as a panacea.

ninetofiveeveryday · 05/03/2026 13:28

Yes definitely some pda going on. I think though he also just couldn’t visualise where the money was coming from so was always asking for stuff, presumably for that dopamine hit of getting something new, he isn’t imaginative, he works with hard facts so seeing we get x in, y goes out or we’re homeless and z costs this much is helpful to him. He was just able to work so much better with that
in his mind. We are very open now though he’s older (15), so he knows what me and his dad earn etc and he knows where we spend it. He actually asks for very little now, seems much more satisfied.

a different point, but we found imposed ‘punishments’ like we take your phone away just didn’t work. Again the psychologists we worked with told us that you wouldn’t punish a child for getting maths wrong, so why would you punish an autistic child for behaviour they can’t actually help? They taught us to work with him, small difference but a consequence is different to a punishment. He really needed to understand that his behaviour wasn’t ok, specifically the swearing and being aggressive, but that we recognised he wasn’t doing it on purpose and we were on his side to help him overcome that instinct behaviour. Have you read the chimp paradox workbook with her? That was good for us.
Him always having his own space to retreat to (bedroom) and us ours, which would be respected. At times it was hard, we’d hear him trashing something but with time learnt to leave him, then when calm discuss what he was feeling and how he would fix the damage he’s done, or he lives with it…there were holes in his walls for a while but funnily enough as he got older they embarrassed him and he used his own money and asked his granddad to help repair them. also repeated door slamming - the hinge broke so the door had to go, he lived with it until he again was embarrassed and he asked if he could buy a new one and he used his birthday money for it. We helped him put it on so there was no additional cost. He’s not slammed it since! It was hard to act indifferent to his behaviour at times and not to shame him, he felt enough shame after an episode as it was. It took a lot of patience on our behalf, but it has helped enormously. He takes responsibility for his own behaviour now, he respects boundaries and space and is good at communicating with us re what he needs in a calm way. He is very much ‘autistic’ and we respect that and work with him rather than against him. He is a different child 4-5 years on, a much happier one for a start and one able to far better regulate his feelings, not hide them away but work with them and acknowledge them appropriately

it’s so sad there is no funding for help OP, we too had to pay for the help and it was invaluable. It’s worth looking at the Naomi fisher stuff online if you haven’t, her work was a great source of help to us. And you are absolutely not alone at losing it too….we’re all human x

Flyndo · 05/03/2026 09:32

ninetofiveeveryday · 05/03/2026 08:37

My son is autistic and was similar at that age. We were advised to give him more control over money and we did. It really helped. At 11 he got £3 pocket money just for being, then he chose a couple of jobs so dishwasher ever day for him £3.50 a week and putting his clothes away got him £1.50 so he ended up with £8 a week and that was his to do as he liked. We also engaged him more with our costs, were quite open about income, mortgage, food costs. Talked about a choice two cheaper caravan holidays or one abroad etc and made things more family decisions. He really entered into it all and is so much better now, managed to save £300 recently and bought an electric guitar! I think once he understood more about costs he was far better as managing his expectations, his brain seemed to just get it whereas he didn’t jus get ‘no’

I think this is really good advice. I'm normally team "don't pay them for jobs, they need to learn it's just family life" but different rules apply with our SEN kids sometimes. You have really conveyed going far beyond a transactional system to help it make sense to him and calm everything down. I'm also sensing some PDA expertise in there, which I think would help OP too.

TheBlueKoala · 05/03/2026 08:45

imsoverytired82 · 05/03/2026 07:28

Thank you. I went to the gp hoping to get a referral to enable her to access medication however they gave me leaflets and a link.

She was up until midnight screaming about world book day and shouting that her foot hurted. I ended up having to try and get her into bed. Put her back in and then she’s waking me at 5am like nothings happened asking for me to do her hair.

Normally it's not something the gp will prescribe but a child psychiatrist. As @Muffinmam said medication can help. My DS 16 asd has been on Sertraline since he was 9 to treat his severe OCD. It did reduce the symptoms even though he still has to go through repeating questions about certain things. Since he was 14 he gets Tercian in the evening to calm him down and help him sleep. He tends to be most agitated in the evening when the fatigue of the day and anxiety takes a hold.

I tend to avoid him because he's not very pleasant to be around unless he wants to interact. I've noticed that he overloads quickly so even a simple question will send him into panic mode in the evening. I am there if he wants to talk, if not I leave him alone.

ninetofiveeveryday · 05/03/2026 08:38

We also talked about buying things for fun and buying for more purpose, so when he wanted trainers or his electric guitar, we’d say well if you save x amount we can contribute x amount. But buying for his own fun like Roblox’s we weren’t prepared to contribute. He is quite a saver now and his has got his first real job to earn his own money, it’s interesting how he sees where the money comes from and goes.

ninetofiveeveryday · 05/03/2026 08:37

My son is autistic and was similar at that age. We were advised to give him more control over money and we did. It really helped. At 11 he got £3 pocket money just for being, then he chose a couple of jobs so dishwasher ever day for him £3.50 a week and putting his clothes away got him £1.50 so he ended up with £8 a week and that was his to do as he liked. We also engaged him more with our costs, were quite open about income, mortgage, food costs. Talked about a choice two cheaper caravan holidays or one abroad etc and made things more family decisions. He really entered into it all and is so much better now, managed to save £300 recently and bought an electric guitar! I think once he understood more about costs he was far better as managing his expectations, his brain seemed to just get it whereas he didn’t jus get ‘no’

LIZS · 05/03/2026 08:19

imsoverytired82 · 04/03/2026 21:27

If it didn’t happen (the behaviours) every night and I didn’t 99.9% of the time, deal with it reasonably well I’d agree it was abuse.

Weve had screaming (like she’s being murdered) over a world book day costume which she’s now ruined in secret because she wouldn’t listen and now has nothing to wear. We’ve had trainers thrown at windows and she’s drawn on furniture.

The last decade has been pretty hard. Even at times my own personal care has been impacted because she’s so full on.

So not only does she want all this stuff , she will self sabotage when she has it. It sounds self destructive and may become self harm, if not already. Where does she get her ideas from, how does she know what is available to buy and does she have access to social media? What was your reaction to the damage and her ongoing demands for WBD?

TheJaqual · 05/03/2026 07:40

imsoverytired82 · 05/03/2026 07:28

Thank you. I went to the gp hoping to get a referral to enable her to access medication however they gave me leaflets and a link.

She was up until midnight screaming about world book day and shouting that her foot hurted. I ended up having to try and get her into bed. Put her back in and then she’s waking me at 5am like nothings happened asking for me to do her hair.

Are you in England?

imsoverytired82 · 05/03/2026 07:28

Muffinmam · 05/03/2026 02:30

You need to medicate her. You shouldn’t have to put up with this.

I’m a mother to a severely autistic child. I have noticed that some behaviours are very clearly OCD. I know this because I have OCD and am medicated. My OCD started when I was in primary school. By the time I was in highschool it was severe.

Medication absolutely works. I still have rituals and weird behaviour but it seems more like a process rather than debilitating repetitive behaviours that severely impact my life.

After my son was diagnosed with severe autism I came across a mother and her adult son in the shops. Her son was obviously autistic. He would repeatedly ask for things over and over and get aggressive when his mother said no. He would scream and moan and shout. I just thought that I would not accept that life and would medicate my child if he behaved like that. I didn’t understand why the mother didn’t medicate him.

My child does ask for things and does get fixated on acquiring things. If I buy them for him he seems satisfied but rather quickly loses interest. I figure that it is his age but if the behaviour continues when he’s older then I will need to deal with it.

Her waking you up at 11pm is absolutely not on. I would have reacted similarly. People don’t understand the absolute trauma having a child with autism can be.

I disagree with the “shopping day” recommendation. I would put a stop to buying her anything and also do a massive clear out of her room - this is to stop the association of you being equated as the person who will buy her stuff.

There are pharmaceutical options for treating OCD. I also suggest something to put her to sleep at night.

Thank you. I went to the gp hoping to get a referral to enable her to access medication however they gave me leaflets and a link.

She was up until midnight screaming about world book day and shouting that her foot hurted. I ended up having to try and get her into bed. Put her back in and then she’s waking me at 5am like nothings happened asking for me to do her hair.

OP posts:
Weeeeyy · 05/03/2026 06:51

MNdrama · 05/03/2026 00:51

She told you to fuck off... right...

You’ve never heard a child tell their parent to fuck off? You must live in a very “nice” sheltered area.

GottaCatchSomeOfEm · 05/03/2026 06:31

SpaceRaccoon · 04/03/2026 21:33

If he'd taken himself off into the spare room, exhausted and overwhelmed, and she'd followed him there and then shouted in his ear repeatedly when he was in a deep sleep then I'd have every sympathy for him.

Edited

You can have sympathy whilst acknowledging someone's behaviour is abusive.

NaiceBalonz · 05/03/2026 06:07

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Vile comment. Most parents wouldn't be as nice as she's been, given she's dealing with.

Muffinmam · 05/03/2026 02:31

Wearealldoingourbest · 05/03/2026 01:53

Of course it's not great that you lost your temper but you're only human. It might have been a blessing in disguise if it gives you both a chance to reflect and reset. Try sitting down with her and apologising for how you acted, but not apologising for how you felt. Explain why it happened. Then work with her to lay down some autism appropriate house rules that are really, really clear and detailed with direct consequences like no waking Mum except in an emergency! No screen time if she wakes you or something similar. No asking for purchases if you've been told no. No bothering Mum on the toilet. Have a budget for how much you will spend on things for her and show her how much she's got left each month. Explain that if you buy boots you might not be able to pay for the internet so there'll be no wifi (or no food or whatever would be most important to her). Get her to work with you on the rules. Feel empowered to tell her in adavance how to behave and how to treat you; she can follow rules and show you consideration even if she's a child and even if she's autistic. You'll be helping her have better relationships in the future.

I would stop buying her anything but the non-essentials.

Muffinmam · 05/03/2026 02:30

Wearealldoingourbest · 05/03/2026 01:53

Of course it's not great that you lost your temper but you're only human. It might have been a blessing in disguise if it gives you both a chance to reflect and reset. Try sitting down with her and apologising for how you acted, but not apologising for how you felt. Explain why it happened. Then work with her to lay down some autism appropriate house rules that are really, really clear and detailed with direct consequences like no waking Mum except in an emergency! No screen time if she wakes you or something similar. No asking for purchases if you've been told no. No bothering Mum on the toilet. Have a budget for how much you will spend on things for her and show her how much she's got left each month. Explain that if you buy boots you might not be able to pay for the internet so there'll be no wifi (or no food or whatever would be most important to her). Get her to work with you on the rules. Feel empowered to tell her in adavance how to behave and how to treat you; she can follow rules and show you consideration even if she's a child and even if she's autistic. You'll be helping her have better relationships in the future.

The OP’s daughter is unlikely to “reflect”.

Muffinmam · 05/03/2026 02:30

imsoverytired82 · 28/02/2026 23:53

i have but a long time ago.

she shrugged and went to sleep after my husband told her off. She’s the same with him.

she’s very high functioning just obsessed with stuff. I really struggle with her. She has no real care for anyone.

You need to medicate her. You shouldn’t have to put up with this.

I’m a mother to a severely autistic child. I have noticed that some behaviours are very clearly OCD. I know this because I have OCD and am medicated. My OCD started when I was in primary school. By the time I was in highschool it was severe.

Medication absolutely works. I still have rituals and weird behaviour but it seems more like a process rather than debilitating repetitive behaviours that severely impact my life.

After my son was diagnosed with severe autism I came across a mother and her adult son in the shops. Her son was obviously autistic. He would repeatedly ask for things over and over and get aggressive when his mother said no. He would scream and moan and shout. I just thought that I would not accept that life and would medicate my child if he behaved like that. I didn’t understand why the mother didn’t medicate him.

My child does ask for things and does get fixated on acquiring things. If I buy them for him he seems satisfied but rather quickly loses interest. I figure that it is his age but if the behaviour continues when he’s older then I will need to deal with it.

Her waking you up at 11pm is absolutely not on. I would have reacted similarly. People don’t understand the absolute trauma having a child with autism can be.

I disagree with the “shopping day” recommendation. I would put a stop to buying her anything and also do a massive clear out of her room - this is to stop the association of you being equated as the person who will buy her stuff.

There are pharmaceutical options for treating OCD. I also suggest something to put her to sleep at night.

Wearealldoingourbest · 05/03/2026 01:53

Of course it's not great that you lost your temper but you're only human. It might have been a blessing in disguise if it gives you both a chance to reflect and reset. Try sitting down with her and apologising for how you acted, but not apologising for how you felt. Explain why it happened. Then work with her to lay down some autism appropriate house rules that are really, really clear and detailed with direct consequences like no waking Mum except in an emergency! No screen time if she wakes you or something similar. No asking for purchases if you've been told no. No bothering Mum on the toilet. Have a budget for how much you will spend on things for her and show her how much she's got left each month. Explain that if you buy boots you might not be able to pay for the internet so there'll be no wifi (or no food or whatever would be most important to her). Get her to work with you on the rules. Feel empowered to tell her in adavance how to behave and how to treat you; she can follow rules and show you consideration even if she's a child and even if she's autistic. You'll be helping her have better relationships in the future.

MNdrama · 05/03/2026 00:55

Itcanbesoveryhard · 05/03/2026 00:16

Surely anyone with common sense can tell she meant world book day and predictive text messed it up 🤦‍♀️

Obviously

MNdrama · 05/03/2026 00:51

imsoverytired82 · 04/03/2026 21:48

Oh and told me to fuck off for trying to help her with her homework or tell n. Her pasta was for dinner. It’s relentless.

She told you to fuck off... right...

Itcanbesoveryhard · 05/03/2026 00:16

MNdrama · 05/03/2026 00:15

What's owls boom day?

Surely anyone with common sense can tell she meant world book day and predictive text messed it up 🤦‍♀️

MNdrama · 05/03/2026 00:15

imsoverytired82 · 01/03/2026 06:16

Tho sis. It about an owls boom day costume and a pair of boots. It’s constant. They are today’s examples. She is vile. To all of us, constantly.

we have no support. Nothing. Professional help? Yes please. Unless I pay for it and I can’t as I’m still paying her diagnosis off.

I do love her but I find her exhausting and I am totally exhausted.

What's owls boom day?

MNdrama · 05/03/2026 00:07

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

imsoverytired82 · 04/03/2026 22:42

TheBlueKoala · 04/03/2026 19:10

@imsoverytired82 Noone who hasn't had the exhausting experience of living with an autistic child can understand how you can get to the point that you just want the world to stop. When it was really bad with my DS16 some years ago I was thinking about suicide every single day because it was so unbearable to see him unravelling, not being able to help, not having sufficient help from health providers and the pure exhaustion of dealing with him on a day to day basis while trying to protect his younger brother and getting DH out of the way because he just made everything worse by not understanding that his behaviour was not deliberate or controlled at all. Sending love 🩷

I’m sorry to hear that. It’s exhausting and all consuming. It’s no life for anyone. I feel for my other dd the most.

OP posts:
imsoverytired82 · 04/03/2026 21:48

imsoverytired82 · 04/03/2026 21:27

If it didn’t happen (the behaviours) every night and I didn’t 99.9% of the time, deal with it reasonably well I’d agree it was abuse.

Weve had screaming (like she’s being murdered) over a world book day costume which she’s now ruined in secret because she wouldn’t listen and now has nothing to wear. We’ve had trainers thrown at windows and she’s drawn on furniture.

The last decade has been pretty hard. Even at times my own personal care has been impacted because she’s so full on.

Oh and told me to fuck off for trying to help her with her homework or tell n. Her pasta was for dinner. It’s relentless.

OP posts:
SpaceRaccoon · 04/03/2026 21:33

GottaCatchSomeOfEm · 04/03/2026 13:48

If an autistic adult male pulled his wife from her bed and screamed in her face, would that be ok because they were having a meltdown?

If he'd taken himself off into the spare room, exhausted and overwhelmed, and she'd followed him there and then shouted in his ear repeatedly when he was in a deep sleep then I'd have every sympathy for him.

imsoverytired82 · 04/03/2026 21:27

If it didn’t happen (the behaviours) every night and I didn’t 99.9% of the time, deal with it reasonably well I’d agree it was abuse.

Weve had screaming (like she’s being murdered) over a world book day costume which she’s now ruined in secret because she wouldn’t listen and now has nothing to wear. We’ve had trainers thrown at windows and she’s drawn on furniture.

The last decade has been pretty hard. Even at times my own personal care has been impacted because she’s so full on.

OP posts:
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