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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Annoyed with my daughter

67 replies

ohthatbloodycat · 30/06/2021 01:12

My eldest daughter turns 20 soon. She has misophonia (properly diagnosed!) and autism. It was CAHMS who gave her the diagnosis, which they were in two minds about (as fairly mild) but then they proceeded as she'd get support at university. So she has high functioning autism.
We are due to go on a caravan break in a few days' time, with family members. This was booked to celebrate the 'big birthday' of a much loved family member. At the time of booking I checked with my daughter that she was happy to come, and she said she was. So I booked a 3 bedroom caravan for she and I and her two siblings. Due to her misophonia, she would never be able to share a room. All good.

Now that the time is drawing much nearer, she is starting to freak out about it. Instead of coming for the 4 nights originally booked, we agreed she'd come for 2 nights. Now she wants to back out of that and not come at all.
I won't lie, I am disappointed. I have always been massively supportive of her, and her biggest advocate. I adore her, she's wonderful. But she's freaking out about thin bedroom walls and hearing snoring sounds, eating out with others and 'eating' noises, being with family members all day - though I have explained that we can do our own thing too. She is working herself up about it completely.
It disappoints me that she won't try it for one night, to celebrate with a family member who has given so much to us all. That she can't change her mindset and get out of her comfort zone for once. The only reason she is awkward around family is because she rarely leaves her room.
I'm sad because this will be our only holiday this year, and because just for once, it would be nice if it could be normal and plain sailing. Pissed off because she won't meet me halfway on this. Embarrassed because I don't know how the fuck I'm going to explain her absence.

Am I putting too much on her?

OP posts:
drpet49 · 30/06/2021 06:58

* I don't think you are being unreasonable to be annoyed, since your adult daughter is clearly not prepared to compromise in any way.*

^This. I know someone like this who just forged uses their labels as an excuse to get out of doing everything

reallyworriedjobhunter · 30/06/2021 06:58

I have a son with autism and I totally get it. Hugs.

WeMarchOn · 30/06/2021 07:06

@drpet49 just wondering if you know what it's like to be autistic?

WeMarchOn · 30/06/2021 07:07

@theThreeofWeevils oh another expert who thinks they know what autism feels like

Terhou · 30/06/2021 07:25

To be honest, this sounds entirely predictable and I'm surprised she agreed to the caravan idea in the first place. Is it possible to book in a nearby BnB or similar?

malificent7 · 30/06/2021 07:31

Well if your damily don't " get" the autism thing why would she want to spend time with them? Family gatherings are hard work at the best of times.

malificent7 · 30/06/2021 07:31

Family*

user1487194234 · 30/06/2021 07:37

She's an adult,so it's her decision
Perfectly ok to be disappointed but not annoyed
With mine (NT) I let them know as soon as I know of any upcoming family events but it's up to them if they attend

silliphant · 30/06/2021 07:44

@drpet49

* I don't think you are being unreasonable to be annoyed, since your adult daughter is clearly not prepared to compromise in any way.*

^This. I know someone like this who just forged uses their labels as an excuse to get out of doing everything

This kind of disablist comment is fucking awful.

Would you say someone who was blind was using it as an excuse for not seeing things?!

Etinox · 30/06/2021 08:15
Flowers It’s really tough and you’re not unreasonable to be disappointed. But also...noise cancelling earphones are amazing!
ittakes2 · 30/06/2021 08:34

I am sorry I am sad for you. On a different note have you ever looked into primitive reflexes not going dormant? My son had the brushing technique and it was successful for him to help his ears/sounds and ASD traits but he didn't have what your daughter has.

babytum · 30/06/2021 08:48

Having a daughter with high functioning autism I see how hard it is. I know my daughter would never ever try something new or come out of her comfort zone without a good push. She would literally never leave the house if allowed. And so as her mother it’s my job to encourage, compromise, push etc so she can see her own abilities, what’s she capable of coping with and with that improve her self esteem.
I had the joy yesterday of watching her in the company of her friends, laughing, having a great time and thinking we’ve come a long long way. This time last year she was in her room refusing to go anywhere, not even for a walk.
You obviously can’t force her but you can keep telling her that you want her there for one night/ 2 nights etc and that her absence will be disappointing to you.
She’s an adult and with that comes responsibility including taking others feelings into account. It’s give and take to some degree even with a diagnosis and a get out clause from normal family activity may not be the in her best interest. Being uncomfortable but with the safety net of being with you and her family isn’t going to harm her. You have offered compromises regarding the accommodation, doing your own thing, ear plugs etc to help her feel at ease. Keep encouraging her even when she’s balking and if she does come for a night congratulate yourself and her on the achievement.
It is so hard, sometimes it easier to say ok stay home but it’s not always the best thing for them.
Very best of luck and I hope she goes

DeathStare · 30/06/2021 09:07

I think this is a tough one. I empathise with both you and your daughter. I do think its unreasonable to be annoyed at her for not wanting to come. I don't think its unreasonable to be annoyed at her for saying she could manage coming and then changing her mind once you had already paid extra to accommodate her needs.

BlankTimes · 30/06/2021 09:12

drpet49
An autism diagnosis is carried out by highly qualified medical professionals and is very difficult to obtain. The waitlist for assessment in many areas pre-Covid was 18 months to 2 years for children and adults. Also be aware that assessment does not automatically mean a diagnosis is given.

Labels are bits of paper anyone can write and stick on jars of jam.

BlankTimes · 30/06/2021 09:29

ohthatbloodycat I think you're experiencing the misnomer of "mild" autism.

This quote is from a post about the spectrum, neuroclastic.com/2019/05/04/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/
"My doctor recently referred to my autism is "mild." I gently pointed to my psychologist’s report which stated that my executive dysfunction as being greater than 99th percentile.
"That means I am less functional than 99% of people. Does that seem mild to you?" I asked her.
But, you see, I can speak, and I can look people in the eyes, so they see my autism as "mild." My autism affects those around me mildly but my autism does affect me severely

I'm so pleased your DD is going to give it a whirl. My DD, adult with ASD and a host of co-morbids would react in the same way, initial overwhelm at a massive and unknown transition, then a period of consideration, then a glimmer of confidence, then a firm 'I can do this'.
Sometimes it's a case of 'Even though I'm likely to hate every minute, I will give it a go as long as I have a safe space to retreat to' and I make sure a safe space is available for her.

Many thanks to everyone who has recommended the flair earplugs,
www.flareaudio.com/products/calmer
I'm ordering some for DD as I type!

Lavender24 · 30/06/2021 09:33

Sorry OP but I think yabu. Why would you want her there if she's going to be miserable?

beigebrownblue · 30/06/2021 09:37

is it something to do with our conditioning as mothers and as women, i..e that we are supposed, somehow magically to deal with EVERYTHING all the time, regardless and to find our way around every single situation that life throws at us?

Including situations which involve extra expense and so on.

From what I can see you have done extremely well to organise a holiday at all. It is difficult even without disaiblities and the pandemic.

No, it is not her fault that she has these challenges, and talents are good, but can you allow yourself to feel annoyed that life is not simple and no matter how much you try to get round things, pandemic and such it is reallly difficult.

I think I am talking to myself as a mother here as well!

It is mothers who have had to keep so much together over the past year,

perhpas you need a rest and are not getting one?

thebabessavedme · 30/06/2021 09:54

I have no experience of autism but am a parent, I get you OP, I think you have used the wrong word by saying you are 'annoyed', you are plainly very supportive and love her dearly, you are allowed to feel frustrated at times though, it must be very hard work to accomodate your dds needs all the time and its not unreasonable for you to have looked forward to a family break for a few days.

I hope you can all resolve the issues without too much drama and have a lovely time!

WeMarchOn · 30/06/2021 09:57

Aww I'm absolutely loving the ableist comments on this thread 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️

fairynick · 30/06/2021 10:00

I wouldn’t have wanted to go caravanning with my parents and siblings at ages 20 either. I am neurotypical.

ohthatbloodycat · 30/06/2021 10:01

@babytum
Thank you - it sounds like we're on the same page re the parenting of our daughters, and wanting them to push themselves in a safe and gentle way.
Thank you all very much indeed for taking the time to reply. I appreciate the different perspectives, even those who tell me I'm out of order.
It's a difficult one, as I know she is capable of so much. I want her to explore this, but not push her too hard. It's all about balance, at the end of the day.

I too have just purchased the Flare Audio Calmers. Thanks for the recommendation! I opted for the night time ones, as I figured these could be worn in the day too. Whereas the day ones might not be comfortable enough for sleeping.
Hoping I've made the right choice!

OP posts:
ohthatbloodycat · 30/06/2021 10:02

@fairynick

I wouldn’t have wanted to go caravanning with my parents and siblings at ages 20 either. I am neurotypical.
Well, it was her choice, so that's a moot point really. And yes, you're neurotypical, meaning that you probably had lots of good friends and a social life, as most young people her age do. Life is very different for my daughter.
OP posts:
sillysmiles · 30/06/2021 10:03

I think I too would be annoyed at her not being willing to try and not thinking of the family member who this is for, so I'm happy to see the update that she's willing to go for one night.

ohthatbloodycat · 30/06/2021 10:04

And no parents plural, as I'm a single mother doing it alone Smile. Her father doesn't even believe she has autism, but that's another story 🙄

OP posts:
sillysmiles · 30/06/2021 10:09

I wonder if it isn't actually her as such that you were annoyed with, but the whole package and how fucking hard it life can be.

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