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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think this is not normal behaviour for a 9 year old?

127 replies

Yolo89 · 28/11/2019 17:31

I just picked DD up to take to a class and she is very tired from a trip to the hospital for DS last night. So tired and emotional. I didnt have as many snacks for her as usual and she wanted me to go the shop. But I had 4 other children in tow so said no. I must tell you that she still had food left - apple etc but she did not want it yet was saying she was starving. I held my ground but she yelled at me and kicked me multiple times.

Every time I take her and her friends to an after school activity, she has a meltdown like this. It is usually about not wanting to go to the activity but it always is very stressful for me.

I ended up in tears today. All the other children just walk but never my DD. If another mum walks her, obviously she is fine but never with me.

Family life is tough at the moment as DH has issues with depression and alcohol and I feel this is greatly affecting my DD. She said today 'I want to die'. I have never heard this before and I am greatly concerned.

I feel like this is very far from normal behaviour and am very worried. What should I do?

I

OP posts:
Emeraldshamrock · 28/11/2019 21:44

It is probably a few things , her hormones are starting to rage too OP.
That mixed with the situation. I don't know what you are going to do to about your partner. I've no advice there sorry.
You

Yolo89 · 28/11/2019 21:45

I hardly ever walk the children but I was free today so I did.

OP posts:
pointythings · 28/11/2019 21:45

So is your 'D'H on a phased reduction of his alcohol intake under supervision or not? Because if all he's doing is getting 'counselling' whilst not doing any work to bring his drinking down to zero gradually, he is not doing all he should.

And your DD needs help - it's clear that things at home are driving her behaviour and she needs more support than you can give her. Your husband is an adult who should be taking care of himself. Your DD needs more of you.

Yolo89 · 28/11/2019 21:45

I am getting counselling for my daughter.

OP posts:
Yolo89 · 28/11/2019 21:47

Pointy I'm.not sure. I will ask him.as I assume so. I agree though he needs to stick.to this. He has saud I can go to the apps as in.the past he has said no.

OP posts:
Yolo89 · 28/11/2019 21:49

Inebriati - I have just talked to her and spent time with her..She knows she xan always tell me anything.

OP posts:
Yolo89 · 28/11/2019 21:52

@sauvignonblancplz

thank you..Your advice is really helpful and totally on the money..People don't understand.It is not so clear cut.

OP posts:
Inebriati · 28/11/2019 21:52

No sorry, you have misunderstood; you have to say to them 'you can talk to me'. You have to give them permission at a time when you are able to listen without being distracted.

Powerof4 · 28/11/2019 21:54

Please don’t minimise. Getting your daughter heard is the priority. With what she’s said she should see a GP to talk about her mental health and ensure she is safe and well. Thinking about anything else comes after that.

tinyvulture · 28/11/2019 21:54

Kicking you repeatedly is extreme. My father was an alcoholic, my mother and was emotionally unavailable (not remotely suggesting you are OP). It still never entered my head, at 9 or any age, to repeatedly kick my mother because I wanted a snack. So I would suggest that your little girl needs some support, yes. And you too, you poor thing. X

pointythings · 28/11/2019 21:55

Yolo you really need to be clear on what your husband is doing. A reputable organisation will offer treatment and support to the family as well as the addict. I am the widow of an alcoholic, I know what I'm talking about. I get how you're feeling because that was me - torn between protecting my children and wanting to give the man I married a chance to find sobriety. Get some support for yourself and work on your boundaries - this needs to be his last chance.

Embracelife · 28/11/2019 22:09

You are trying to fix her when the real problem is alcohol depression and fights the adults around her are having.
No wonder she wants s bit of chocolate! I certainly would...an apple wont cut it...
She cant articulate st none her confusion pain and emotional upset at what is going on in her family.
Cut her some slack.
Get the real problems sorted.
Let school know the dire situation at home.
Get her some support.mesnihg a break from all this.
Maybe get some respite from your dh..ask him to leave or take some time out
See your dd behaviour as communication not naughtiness

Wolfiefan · 28/11/2019 22:14

Give him a chance? But he’s making the life of you and everyone else a misery. Ridiculous.
He’s “trying” to stop? How? Who is he actually seeing and how honest is he being? Or is he simply doing it so you get off his back and he can continue drinking?
Only the heaviest drinkers who are physically dependent need to be weaned off. I don’t want anyone being dependent on alcohol around my kids. Or starting fights. Because that’s not normal and not healthy.
Time to put them first.

Embracelife · 28/11/2019 22:18

. Our couples counsellr says I need to give him a chance to change."

Your counsellor does not have to live with him...
And you can support him without living with him or at least consider getting s break from him
Send him to stay with family or friends for a few days...or send your dc to be n a calmer environment for a,few days
You do not have to live with someone days a week who is shouting and whatever else whether they Are addicted sick or other..you and dc dont have to bear the brunt.
Take a break. One day a week or more.
He is an adult he can get help .

It s only when you move away from this chaos for a few days that you will see better the way forward. Set some boundaries.

tinkiiev · 28/11/2019 22:20

Agree that she most likely needs reassurance, to feel safe and protected by her parents (one or both of you), time alone with you if possible, also to know her dad's issues and any arguments she overhears aren't her fault (children always think everything is their fault). Also doughnuts at the school gateSmile

I think you sound amazing, by the way. Thanks

TimeForNewStart · 28/11/2019 22:28

Our couples counsellr says I need to give him a chance to change

Wow, can’t believe a counsellor would say something so unprofessional! You do not need to give him chance to change! You can separate if you want to. He is not your responsibility!

PhoenixIsFlying · 28/11/2019 22:32

Hi My daughter is ten she has ASD. I know when she has had a bad day at school as I have the same, shouting and kicking me. We went to the supermarket after school ( I try to avoid supermarkets - always bad behaviour). My daughter was shouting and ranting. It is exhausting but I know she finds it hard to mange her emotions and I am her safety net so she can let all her anger out on me. I don't punish her for this. Once she has calmed down she always says sorry. Her father has recently left the home he suffers badly with depression and alcohol problems. I had always thought I had shielded her from his depression but her anxiety has greatly reduced since he left. I am not saying your daughter has asd but she is a child and maybe this is her way of releasing her emotions.

Whatisthisfuckery · 28/11/2019 22:32

OP, another PP has suggested you speak to the school. I think this is a very good idea.

My DS’s father is an alcoholic. DS has not lived with him since we left when he was 6 but he had contact with his dad while he was drinking. I had no idea the extent of it because it was well hidden from me.

DS has had problems with anxiety fro the last few years and he’s had other behavioural issues as well, behaviours that are completely out of character for him.

The school were made aware of the situation and they were great. They gave him a named adult who he could talk to whenever he needed to. There’s also an organisation called Aquarius who worked with him for a while. If you tell school what’s going on they’ll have access to far more support services than you do on your own.

You really need to get a handle on this before it really becomes an issue, because if she starts playing up at school sooner or later SS will land on your doorstep. FWIW I think that would be a beneficial thing, but I know it’s a scary prospect.

To be perfectly honest you don’t really seem very involved in your DH’s treatment. I know it can be difficult if he won’t tell you or let you come along, but while you don’t know what’s happening you don’t know if he’s really doing what he says he is, or if he’s putting in the effort he’d have you believe. I’d very strongly suggest that you tell him he has to be very honest with you and let you participate in his treatment, and if he doesn’t then I’m afraid that tells you he isn’t doing what he says he is.

You need to see his plan for cutting down; you need to tell him he’s not to drink outside the house; and you need to make sure he sticks to the plan. Be in charge of how much alcohol enters your house and only have in what he’s allowed on his plan. Again, if he doesn’t go along with any of these things then he’s not as committed to giving up as he says.

Have you downloaded the Drink Aware app. You can log each drink he has and it will tell you how many units he’s consumed.

I’m going to be brutal here OP, having an alcoholic parent will massively fuck up your kids. It’s all well and good saying you need to support him but all the time you’re doing that your kids are suffering, and the longer the suffering goes on, the deeper the damage goes. The other thing is that once your DD hits secondary school it’ll be much harder to get the support she needs, and the opportunities for her to get into trouble will massively increase. I understand you want to support your DH but it will come at a price, especially if he’s not honest with you and you don’t know if he’s sticking to his plan or not. You need to consider carefully where your priorities lie, because there will come a point if there hasn’t already where you can’t adiquately support both them and your DH. It’s harsh OP but I’m afraid it’s true. Please don’t be fooled that because you can just about cope your kids can, because you won’t see the damage happening to them, especially while you’re trying to limit the damage to yourself.

I wish you luck and strength OP, because I know how hard it is to be married to an alcoholic. Please think very carefully and don’t be blasé, because problems will be headed your way if you do. Speak to DD’s school, let them help you. If SS end up at your door let them help you too. You might not think you want or need help, but you’d be surprised how helpful it can be.

champagneandfromage50 · 28/11/2019 22:40

your DD is being affected by the environment at home. She is too young to understand what is really going on and is emotionally sensitive. She will be affected by the tension in the house. I think if i recall that the worst time for a DC parents going through issues or break ups is between the ages of 7-10. You need to think how to explore the issues with her. There are issues going on in my house due my DH being ill, my DD 16 has put her shutters up, my DS 12 has gone quiet and is emotional but is benefiting from counselling at school and my 5 yr old has gone from bed wetting, to drawing his dad being sick, and being very clingy. So DC all react differently to emotional distress.

Italiangreyhound · 28/11/2019 22:56

Yolo89 I am so sorry, must be so tough.

Kicking you is not OK. Did you issue a consequence for that?

Personally, I'd seek some help from your GP, ask for a referral to see if there are any mental health issues there. You won't get anywhere fast but good to get the ball rolling, IMHO.

Whatever is causing these issues, if it is your dh, and it may be, she will need help. Even if you and your dh end up splitting up over these issues she will need help to process all of this, IMHO.

Is your dh getting help, this is going to be affecting your dd, but are there other children in the home not affected/less affected, I would say your dd does have some issues.

And yes, cut out after school activities or cut back massively because they are not helping.

Interestedwoman · 28/11/2019 23:03

I would see the GP and try to get a referral to CAMHS. 'I want to die' isn't normal.

Interestedwoman · 28/11/2019 23:04

Whenever anyone says anything like that, it needs to be treated as an emergency.

Italiangreyhound · 28/11/2019 23:07

Sorry, I said "Whatever is causing these issues, if it is your dh, and it may be, she will need help." I think your not so dear h is definitely the problem but she does need help.

You said he is getting help but I do have a friend who married an alcoholic and he started talking about 'getting help' but it is always on his terms, apps to reduce drinking etc. But as someone else said, as an alcoholic he should not be drinking at all

"He has cpme home tonight and is angry but he turns it back on.me. It is pretty unbearable to be honest..I don't know what to do. He is a high functioning alcoholic who has a high paying job.

I feel very lost and feel no one supports mw..Hia parents refuse to believe he has a problem"

I do wonder if Women's Aid may be a place to ask for help. He sounds very difficult to live with, for all of you. XXXX

www.womensaid.org.uk/

Italiangreyhound · 28/11/2019 23:08

Agree with Interestedwoman.

Poppinjay · 28/11/2019 23:10

This could be a result of the problems with your DH. It could be a neurodevelopmental disorder like ASD or it could be a combination of the two.

I have two DDs with ASD. They were/are always stressed at the end of the school day. Not having the usual snacks plus walking instead of riding in the car would be two unexpected changes they would never cope with at a time like that.

If it persists I would put sanctions in for it because if you can regulate for other parents you can regulate for your own

This is not correct at all. Lots of children hold in stress and anxiety until they are with someone that they trust. Your DD trusts you and can release the pressure valve around you. It isn't something they make a choice about and it's not linked to bad behaviour.

Please don't use sanctions. Explain the effect her behaviour has on others, including you, when she is calmer, but please don't punish her for expressing her distress. Support her and find ways to help her to talk about what she finds hard. Once you know what those things are, you will have a better chance of helping her.

Definitely cut back on after school activities. Go home and plan quiet, calm activities that don't require much social interaction of involve a lot of sensory input. Help her to identify what helps her feel calm, e.g. screen time, deep pressure and plan for that to be available at the end of each school day. Once she's had some time to reset, she might feel more sociable and resilient.

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