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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:
WingingItSince1973 · 03/03/2026 21:42

NaiceBalonz · 01/03/2026 05:21

She sounds like a horrible, spoilt little madam. A good bollocking won't damage her 🙄

Wow what a horrible person you are!! No child ever deserves a bollocking!!! She's not spoilt, she's autistic and hyper focusing which seems to cause her to be spiralling.
OP you must absolutely see that now child, how ever annoying shouldn't be subject to their parent dragging them from their bed and screaming in their face. And another time being pushed out of her home. She's 11! I have nd kids so understand the relentlessnes of it all but if school found out you would be getting a visit from social services.

imsoverytired82 · 03/03/2026 21:02

DelleLdn · 01/03/2026 11:45

Fellow mum to an ASD DD here - firstly, sending a massive hug. 18 months ago things were BAD here. Stuff that helped - 3 x sessions occupational therapy (we got via LA, had to wait but I’d pay for if could), understanding heavy work activities/games to help her regulate has been life changing,alongside understanding how much have to destress/regulate when things appear calm. Did the £89 online Parenting Matters course - got lucky and had funded child psychologist sessions to go with, but even course alone helped me build a better connection and crucially set boundaries (I’d be inconsistent/presumed ASD meant some stuff ‘couldn’t be helped’ that actually was bad behaviour that needed addressing). Boundary setting will mean some mega tantrums/meltdowns/screaming - can get worse before it gets better - but I was shocked how quickly she ‘got it’ and understood I was serious. Had to be so consistent though! Writing stuff down for her - research Carol Gray social stories then prompt chat gpt to ‘write a social story in style of carol gray for DD about xyz’ which then edit and print for her - again, these are game changing in helping her understand what she can expect. Hadn’t realised how much she’d nod and say yes but not actually have processed the info: writing it down helps. Autistic girls network for info and resources. Read everything you can to understand how challenging life is for her - Emily Katy’s book helped me and DH be so much more compassionate. Understanding that she’s not giving you a hard time, she’s having a really hard time, can be transformational (though hard to remember in stressful times). Draw up list of her good points, strengths, lovely bits. Prioritise decompression times for you and DH, even taking turns for an hour away at a time; this life is tough, but more you can think of it as you as a family team against a world built for NT ppl, instead of you against her, the more it’ll help. Read Explosive child book for co-creating solutions to problems. YOU’RE NOT ALONE AND IT CAN BE BETTER. Sending so much love and solidarity x

thank you! I have just done that with chat got and it worked a treat trying to make her realise why it’s not acceptable to throw her chair and hiss at me when I’m trying to get her into bed.

OP posts:
TheGPThatWearsShorts · 03/03/2026 21:01

scottishgirl69 · 03/03/2026 08:49

I find love dismissive and patronising - being Scottish doesn't diminish that view. Hth

This nice, thanks for enlightening me 😂

StartingFreshFor2026 · 03/03/2026 15:15

ChangeAgainAgainAgain · 03/03/2026 14:29

Exactly. This child is being abused. However much we might understand the pressure OP is under, this doesn't excuse her abusive behaviour to her vulnerable, disabled child.

It's shocking how many apologists there are on this thread who seem to think this child deserves to be abused simply because she's showing symptoms of her disability. Horrific, actually.

Yeah, I didn't read all the posts properly but do agree it's abusive behaviour.

I don't think the effect of trying to parent (some) autistic children can be underestimated but the family do clearly need help if they are starting to respond abusively. I hope any help they receive is understanding of the enormous stress of the situation and begins to relieve rather than add to the stress.

ChangeAgainAgainAgain · 03/03/2026 14:29

WallaceinAnderland · 03/03/2026 14:07

This child is not by any stretch of the imagination being abused.

'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.'

'It was childhood memory traumatic for her I think.'

'It was horrific I dragged her out of bed and shouted in her face. She shrunk back and looked shocked.'

'She’s thrown furniture before and was damaging my house so I pushed her out the house.'

Which of these behaviours is not abusive? How scared do you think that little girl was when this was happening to her. Denying, excusing or minimising it is not helpful to the OP.

Both people in this scenario are unreasonable and violent and both have a diagnosis of autism. Only one of them is a child. Only one of them has the power to change anything.

It's the power imbalance which makes it abusive. OP has said it's not the first time either so this is an ongoing and escalating situation out of the child's control.

Exactly. This child is being abused. However much we might understand the pressure OP is under, this doesn't excuse her abusive behaviour to her vulnerable, disabled child.

It's shocking how many apologists there are on this thread who seem to think this child deserves to be abused simply because she's showing symptoms of her disability. Horrific, actually.

WallaceinAnderland · 03/03/2026 14:07

This child is not by any stretch of the imagination being abused.

'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.'

'It was childhood memory traumatic for her I think.'

'It was horrific I dragged her out of bed and shouted in her face. She shrunk back and looked shocked.'

'She’s thrown furniture before and was damaging my house so I pushed her out the house.'

Which of these behaviours is not abusive? How scared do you think that little girl was when this was happening to her. Denying, excusing or minimising it is not helpful to the OP.

Both people in this scenario are unreasonable and violent and both have a diagnosis of autism. Only one of them is a child. Only one of them has the power to change anything.

It's the power imbalance which makes it abusive. OP has said it's not the first time either so this is an ongoing and escalating situation out of the child's control.

Ninerainbows · 03/03/2026 14:01

BeAmberZebra · 03/03/2026 13:41

This child is not by any stretch of the imagination being abused. Using such terms are so unhelpful as poor OP is already beating herself up for it. From her description of the situation I think she is making a superhuman effort to manage what sounds like an unbearable home life for her whole family which she is bearing the brunt of. Many posters have tried to provide helpful suggestions and support and I hope this helps her. It is clear she loves the child while finding her behaviour extremely difficult and sometimes behaves in a very human way in distressing situations. This is why she posted and is continuing to engage despite very unhelpful and unkind comments. Separating this child from her mother would distress and harm her and not help the situation at all but make everything worse.

I agree with you.
There is another daughter to consider as well. If she is hissing at her sister then I would find it tough not to stick up for the youngest too. She is just as important.

BeAmberZebra · 03/03/2026 13:41

ChangeAgainAgainAgain · 03/03/2026 09:19

Sorry, are you suggesting because this child is disabled and displays symptoms of her disability that are challenging that she should put up with being abused because no one else would want her? She has no right to a safe life, free from abuse?

In any case, I said OP should remove herself from the home if she cannot stop being abusive, not that the innocent child, the victim of abuse, should be removed.

I utterly horrified at how many people are trying to justify child abuse on the basis that this child has symptoms of disability that could be seen as irritating. Like that entitles people to abuse her.

Edited

This child is not by any stretch of the imagination being abused. Using such terms are so unhelpful as poor OP is already beating herself up for it. From her description of the situation I think she is making a superhuman effort to manage what sounds like an unbearable home life for her whole family which she is bearing the brunt of. Many posters have tried to provide helpful suggestions and support and I hope this helps her. It is clear she loves the child while finding her behaviour extremely difficult and sometimes behaves in a very human way in distressing situations. This is why she posted and is continuing to engage despite very unhelpful and unkind comments. Separating this child from her mother would distress and harm her and not help the situation at all but make everything worse.

WallaceinAnderland · 03/03/2026 13:37

@WeekendTripHelp I completely agree.

This cannot happen again. Throwing the child out of the house cannot happen again.

OP needs to learn strategies for herself first and foremost rather than punishing her daughter for behaviour which clearly is currently out of the child's control.

TheGoddessFrigg · 03/03/2026 13:12

nolongersurprised · 03/03/2026 10:19

Out of interest - not being snarky - what helped? I agree a skilled psychologist is essential, but hard to access. Did you learn your own strategies with maturity?

Fluoxetine helps a lot with the anxiety. As well as building a calm life with routines and having a steady job. Im still absolutely shite with money, unfortunately

WeekendTripHelp · 03/03/2026 13:07

Iocanepowder · 03/03/2026 01:13

Sorry you’re going through this op.

I don’t think the posters who are quick to label you as abusive realise a few things.

As well as exhaustion, i think a big part of what you are feeling is overstimulation. A quick google will tell you a normal reaction to this is rage.

The other thing is that it is difficult to get support out there if you are a parent who is going through abuse from your young child.

My DC1 went through a long phase of hitting me about 50 times a day. (It turned out to be because of a hearing issue). It really got me down and made me angry and combined with lack of sleep, often wished I was dead. I had talking therapies through NHS. All they said was that parenting is hard so don’t beat yourself up for losing it. There is absolutely zero help out there for parents in your situation. Just expected to put up with it.

I would say be stricter with boundaries. If she trashes her room, take all her stuff out of her room and explain it is for her own safety.

The behaviour the OP described is categorically abuse. No question.

The behaviour is also understandable. The OP sounds understandably burnt out and in a state of blocked care with her daughter.

The behaviour also needs to change. The OP is the responsible adult and needs to take accountability and responsibility for change.

The behaviour doesn’t define the OP. All parents have good and bad days.

Both things are true.

The OP has behaved abusively. The OP is also a flawed and imperfect human and parent like us all, doing her best in very difficult circumstances. Her daughter’s behaviour is challenging the OP. They need support so that abusive behaviour isn’t the norm and they can repair and build trust and her daughter can learn to self regulate.

Andouillette · 03/03/2026 12:48

scottishgirl69 · 03/03/2026 08:49

I find love dismissive and patronising - being Scottish doesn't diminish that view. Hth

OK Hen.
(Also Scottish)

waitingForSpring01 · 03/03/2026 10:29

Have not read the whole thread but wanted to share my experience. I also have a DD on the spectrum. She’s better now in her teens, but when she was 8-11 she would push boundaries relentlessly until we lost our temper (and we are very patient and accommodating with her). Surprisingly, after we reacted harshly and sometimes raise our voices, she seemed to calm down, accept it and go back to good behavior. We would be left feeling awful, but it seemed that it was what she needed. Not sure why but it happened a few times. Just a thought.

SadTimesInFife · 03/03/2026 10:27

Can you get her physically exhausted by sport activities every day?

Put her into a boarding school?

I hope you get some sleep OP x

MajorProcrastination · 03/03/2026 10:22

90sTrifle · 28/02/2026 23:53

As she’s autistic, knowing a routine may benefit. Pick a specific day/date for each month, add it to a wall calendar and label it shopping day. Show it to her, and she can then write on the calendar anything that she thinks she needs purchased on this day. You could go shopping together or sit together and buy online.

Explain to her, nothing is bought on any other day of the month, just on shopping day.

Yes to something like this. It satisfies her need to get the request out immediately but helps teach her about waiting.

In a similar vein, I wonder if it's also useful to keep a visual record of the financial cost of all the requests. So there's a certain budget and you can't spend more than that. If there's something she's hyper-focusing on like the football boots, could she make a collage or picollage or a mind map or list or something where she can capture all the information about the boots, why she wants a certain type, who else wears them, what the differences in certain studs etc are. And then you use that to find the certain brand or whatever on vinted or facebook marketplace. And again with the visual reminders of the amount the boots cost and the amount that's available to spend on them.

I'm just thinking out loud. The sports boots in our house tend to come from pairs my DH finds in sales, or from boot swaps at our club.

nolongersurprised · 03/03/2026 10:19

TheGoddessFrigg · 03/03/2026 09:45

This sounds a little like me as a child. And as an adult 🙁. I have learnt that it is often driven by anxiety, and dopamine seeking like two horses of the apocalypse.

I would really recommend a CAMHS referral for your child- to help with the anxiety and inability to self-regulate

Out of interest - not being snarky - what helped? I agree a skilled psychologist is essential, but hard to access. Did you learn your own strategies with maturity?

ChangeAgainAgainAgain · 03/03/2026 09:57

nolongersurprised · 03/03/2026 09:38

No, as I have posted upthread, this girl needs to learn emotion regulation, because she can’t do it herself. These “symptoms of her disability” as you call it, if unmanaged, will escalate as she progresses through puberty and as the social and academic demand increase.

She needs skilled psychology so she can learn regulate herself without needing all the stuff, all the reassurance, yelling at her mother, trashing the house and hissing at people. Maybe an SSRI to help calm the anxiety loop.

Her mother needs a break and to find herself again in order to assist her daughter with learning to regulate her own emotions.

The process of helping this girl to regulate her own emotions will involve very firm boundaries, but some posters don’t seem to like any deviance from : “you’ve got autism, so do what you like, all the time”.

You talk of a “safe life” but what kind of life will she have without learning to regulate, and learnthat some behaviour is untenable? Who will be her friend? Who will employ her, be her romantic partner?

You don't learn emotional regulation by being abused. You learn it by patience, tolerance, understanding, support and stategies. The way this child is being treated is going to make this worse. She's being dismissed, critised and abused. Professional support is needed. There is no justification for the abuse this poor child is subjected to. She's screaming out for reassurance and help and getting abuse and tellings off instead.

Starlight1979 · 03/03/2026 09:47

CreamolaFoam26 · 03/03/2026 09:23

It can be. I got to the stage with my
loved one that they were only allowed to order something from Amazon once a month and even then there were restrictions on cost. It was like weaning them off it and now they don’t ask at all.

I went through a period of severe grief and abandonment (many years ago) and was constantly spending money and getting into debt buying "stuff". I was told by my psychotherapist that it is a classic way to "fill an emotional hole / gap" where you feel something is missing in your life. It made a lot of sense.

But everything seems to be a symptom of ADHD / ASD / Autism these days...

TheGoddessFrigg · 03/03/2026 09:45

This sounds a little like me as a child. And as an adult 🙁. I have learnt that it is often driven by anxiety, and dopamine seeking like two horses of the apocalypse.

I would really recommend a CAMHS referral for your child- to help with the anxiety and inability to self-regulate

nolongersurprised · 03/03/2026 09:38

ChangeAgainAgainAgain · 03/03/2026 09:19

Sorry, are you suggesting because this child is disabled and displays symptoms of her disability that are challenging that she should put up with being abused because no one else would want her? She has no right to a safe life, free from abuse?

In any case, I said OP should remove herself from the home if she cannot stop being abusive, not that the innocent child, the victim of abuse, should be removed.

I utterly horrified at how many people are trying to justify child abuse on the basis that this child has symptoms of disability that could be seen as irritating. Like that entitles people to abuse her.

Edited

No, as I have posted upthread, this girl needs to learn emotion regulation, because she can’t do it herself. These “symptoms of her disability” as you call it, if unmanaged, will escalate as she progresses through puberty and as the social and academic demand increase.

She needs skilled psychology so she can learn regulate herself without needing all the stuff, all the reassurance, yelling at her mother, trashing the house and hissing at people. Maybe an SSRI to help calm the anxiety loop.

Her mother needs a break and to find herself again in order to assist her daughter with learning to regulate her own emotions.

The process of helping this girl to regulate her own emotions will involve very firm boundaries, but some posters don’t seem to like any deviance from : “you’ve got autism, so do what you like, all the time”.

You talk of a “safe life” but what kind of life will she have without learning to regulate, and learnthat some behaviour is untenable? Who will be her friend? Who will employ her, be her romantic partner?

Hummingburp · 03/03/2026 09:38

Hi OP, I've just seen this free course advertised on Facebook. It sounds like it would be good for you. Free course

I’ve just completely lost it with my daughter
ChangeAgainAgainAgain · 03/03/2026 09:27

Itcanbesoveryhard · 03/03/2026 09:19

Clearly you don't read things properly, I literally said OP knows it wasn't okay

I don't think she does know it's not OK. She's made multiple posts trying to justify it by listing ways she finds her daughter irritating and then blaming it on her undiagnised autism.

If she really knew it wasn't OK, she would have left the house and not returned until she had sufficient counselling and help to be confident that she would never, ever do it again.

Her posts absolutely come across as "not my fault, she made me do it", the typical abuser's excuse.

Conversationalcheddar · 03/03/2026 09:25

Just some thoughts, as I’m going through the very early stages of my 4 year old discovering that money can get you stuff and managing that. I fully appreciate it’s a very different situation but the same stressor so thought it might help:

1 we go to charity shops.
2 I understand she’s autistic but would she be receptive to the idea of pocket money? So she understands that money is finite and once she runs out she can’t get anything more until she earns it?
3 I pick up a lot of free stuff on Facebook marketplace. I picked up a costume for WBD for her for free and it just needed washing and a pocket stitching. Might help with some of the cost.
4 loops. Earplugs to dim the overstimulating noise.

CreamolaFoam26 · 03/03/2026 09:23

imsoverytired82 · 28/02/2026 23:58

Is this an autistic thing though the ‘stuff’?

It can be. I got to the stage with my
loved one that they were only allowed to order something from Amazon once a month and even then there were restrictions on cost. It was like weaning them off it and now they don’t ask at all.

Itcanbesoveryhard · 03/03/2026 09:19

ChangeAgainAgainAgain · 03/03/2026 08:59

Autism may explain why she abused her disabled daughter for showing symptoms of her disability. It doesn't however make it acceptable or not abusive. Everyone can understand why the OP was frustated, but it is never, ever OK to drag a child around and shout in their faces. Whatever the provocation, whatever the circumstances that is abusive.

If OP cannot guarantee that she can parent, support and love her disabled child, keeping her safe and free from abuse, she needs to remove herself from this family.

Clearly you don't read things properly, I literally said OP knows it wasn't okay