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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

19 year old daughter not speaking to me because of boyfriend situation

465 replies

StewPots · 08/09/2021 05:14

My daughter is 19 and still living at home - not an issue - but has stopped speaking to me. Basically it’s because of her 20 yr old boyfriend, and my partner.

For context - my daughter has been with her bf for a year and a half, he lived with his mum and stepdad ( very tense relationship there ) but stayed here with her 3/4 nights a week. So far so good.

But then around two months ago, she split from him - he’d been in live porn sites, dating sites etc but my daughter says he never spoke to anyone, just had a pic up in the dating site. Anyway - big drama where my daughter and I packed all the bf stuff and my partner drove my daughter to bf parents house to drop it off etc. We were both very supportive towards her and helped her through it. However, 3 weeks later, she got back with him. Ok… I wasn’t keen on having him in the house as the dynamic changed for me, but I relented and he came back here and there.

Then he had a huge falling out with his stepdad - it got physical and from what I gathered the stepdad is a controlling abusive idiot - but we let the bf stay on the condition it being short term as in a week or two. 6 weeks later, he’s still here, has contributed £200 in that time, despite earning fair money in a full time job. My partner at this point has got fed up and asked could the bf go stay at his dads or something 2/3 times a week. To be clear, I agree as I don’t want another adult in the house, but at the same time I can’t see someone on the streets.

So yesterday I said to DD that it was time bf went elsewhere for a few nights a week - that he was still welcome here 3/4 nights like before, but my partner in particular was tired of this short term arrangement. It’s been a major source of tension the last few weeks especially, where patience has ran out. DD and bf do nothing to help in the house - I have a long term health condition which forced me to give up work late last year, and I’m still raising a 7 yr old DS. I’ve had awful relationships in the past but current partner is a decent man who has no issues with either of my kids, even taking DD out for driving lessons.

But now it’s escalated where my DD has threatened to move out, thinks my partner is playing “man of the house’ making rules ( he pays all our rent btw and supports me financially whereas daughter has only been paying £100 pcm ) and basically won’t speak to me because I’ve “taken his side not hers”. The bf apparently can’t go to his dads because there’s no room he’d have to stay on sofa and it’s two towns across from work. Yet my partner travels to work 4 towns away everyday and bf drives so…

I’ve been stuck between my partner and my daughter for weeks now, negotiating and allowing the time to be extended regarding bf, but they have both just moved in downstairs full time with no consultation and no reasonable rent offering. My partner says it’s not money per se that’s the issue here but it’s the fact of having another adult forced into the house when actually that’s not what we want. The stress is making me ill and I lost my dad a month ago yet haven’t had time to process any of it because of all this drama between DD and her bf. Help please!

OP posts:
Billybagpuss · 09/09/2021 06:41

S

Billybagpuss · 09/09/2021 06:46

Sorry, no idea what that random ‘s’ was.

We do put up with far more from our kids than we ever would from a partner. I hope she’s calmer and more civil today. Stay strong.

AgentJohnson · 09/09/2021 07:09

Well she knows how to play you doesn’t she. You’re here because you’ve enabled and indulged your DD and now she expects to call the shots. You, not your partner should have been firmer and should have been very clear about your expectations. Instead she’s blaming your partner because she knows that will work it’s manipulative magic with you.

What should you do, start acting like the parent and not the innocent yet put upon bystander. Yes your DD might rebel and move out in a huff but that is the price you’re going to have to pay for letting her walk all over you for so many years.

NewlyGranny · 09/09/2021 07:14

She's an adult. She's currently doing a convincing impression of a 14yo, but nevertheless she is an adult. She will not dehydrate or starve herself to death in your house; relax. Leave her be until she emerges. She'll have to go to work, after all, where presumably she's paid good money for something other than manipulative sulking.

She''s been holding the threat of leaving home over your head as her big, powerful weapon to bend you to her will. You've called her bluff and suggested you'd welcome and encourage that, so you hold all the power.

She's planning her next move! Be prepared to stand your ground.

MzHz · 09/09/2021 07:26

Hold firm. You have done the right thing.

Just because she doesn’t like it doesn’t mean it’s not what’s going to happen

whynotwhatknot · 09/09/2021 10:06

Shes attention seeking and thats all it is hes gone so shes punishing you just ignore her

timeisnotaline · 09/09/2021 10:08

I really hope you aren’t washing and cooking for a sulking 19yo.

Ultraopaque · 09/09/2021 10:45

Well done op Flowers

cassandre · 09/09/2021 11:11

I agree with the above posters that your DD's response is very childlike -- taking to bed and sulking! Mature adults need to talk things out. I think you're being entirely fair.

AryaStarkWolf · 09/09/2021 11:21

Well done OP, you've done absolutely the right thing here

Strawbsaturno · 09/09/2021 11:27

It sounds tough but I think you’ve absolutely done the right thing. Time for DD to grow up a bit and quit the sulk.

Justilou1 · 09/09/2021 11:29

Maybe you need to show DD stories of cocklodgers on here. I noticed that they suddenly got back together when he needed somewhere to camp.

SleepyRich · 09/09/2021 11:46

Definitely he should move out, as a minimum I'd be charging rent to the bf whilst he was looking as well. If your daughter chooses to move in with him then that could be better for her mental health too, can't be a happy house now.

Perhaps speak to him yourself, just explain short term was one thing but we can't afford to keep subsidising you living with us for free. We don't want you on the streets so Whilst you're looking if you feel you can't stay with your family rent will be £300 a month.

At least if he's paying the resentment will die down a little but it's your house! It says a lot that he continues to come and stay in your home despite knowing how you feel!!!

Beautiful3 · 09/09/2021 12:47

Well done op. That's good. You were so kind to help your daughters boyfriend, unfortunately you ended up taken advantage of. I'm glad the boyfriends gone now. Keep firm, and never allow him back again. I'd ignore your daughter. She's having a tantrum and hopes you'll cave in. But she's forgetting that she's not a little child anymore, but an adult now! She ll eventually get bored of being in her room and start coming down to see you all. It will be as if nothings happened.

FangsForTheMemory · 09/09/2021 12:52

Don't keep checking on her, that's letting her call the shots.

Feedingthebirds1 · 09/09/2021 15:42

I'd ignore your daughter. She's having a tantrum and hopes you'll cave in.

Yup! This is going to be about who blinks first. In the past that would have been you OP. Not this time.

StewPots · 09/09/2021 16:43

It’s been horrendous today. As far as I know she hasn’t left her room not even for the toilet. She’s not eating or drinking. My own anxiety and emotions are through the roof and my pain level has increased massively - my condition is triggered by stress. I am really really struggling today so any support or advice would be appreciated

OP posts:
Droite · 09/09/2021 16:53

I bet she has been to the toilet. You'd know if she'd used something inside the room from the smell. She's doing this to try to manipulate you because she knows how stressed it will make you. And if she's been to the toilet, she's been able to get a drink. I know it's easy for us to say, but ignore it.

bigbaggyeyes · 09/09/2021 16:54

She's manipulating you, she sounds like a stroppy 12 yr old acting up because she's not getting her own way.

MsPavlichenko · 09/09/2021 17:01

It’s a bit like a toddler tantrum when they sometimes hold your breath. She wants you to blink first and cave. She is so used to getting her own way she can’t believe you mean it this time.

Stay strong, and difficult though it is try not to be consumed by this. Look online for other support suggestions, watch crap on tv, be as upbeat as you can and encourage your DP and DS to do the same. This will pass, and in the long term she’ll thank you for the life lesson. KOKO!

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 09/09/2021 17:03

She is putting her feelings first. You explained how stressful you are finding the situation so she ramped up the stress levels further. Hard though it is, you need to leave her to it. Go and watch TV or anything to distract yourself.

Droite · 09/09/2021 17:04

Maybe just go to her room and say you're happy to have a further discussion with her if she wants to say anything in response to what you said the other day, you'd love her to come out and take part in normal family life, but the silent treatment isn't going to make you change your views ever.

Beamur · 09/09/2021 17:08

How very difficult for you. Unfortunately this only illustrates quite how immature her thinking is. She is trying to punish you.
I think you need to show her a little compassion and love but not budge on the bf issue. Take her a drink maybe? But don't get into a debate.
Can you go for a walk or pop out for some shopping/go out for something to eat?
Give her space to get something to eat/go to the toilet
I do wonder if the bf has given her some kind of ultimatum too.

Evesgarden · 09/09/2021 17:08

@Droite

Maybe just go to her room and say you're happy to have a further discussion with her if she wants to say anything in response to what you said the other day, you'd love her to come out and take part in normal family life, but the silent treatment isn't going to make you change your views ever.
This its really important that whilst you maintain that you are not budging that you keep giving her opportunities to be able to come back in to the family.

Dig deep OP and put your game face on, don't let her see how effected you are by all this.

MsPavlichenko · 09/09/2021 17:09

Don’t offer her an opportunity to try to manipulate you. Offer her a cup of tea or whatever and then leave her to it.