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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:
fantastaballs · 10/09/2021 14:52

Your daughter is trying to manipulate you, the best thing you can do is act like everything is fine. Do not give in to her demands. Keep talking to her, keep it light. She will crack before you do and she will respect you all the more for it. She is still young but it sounds very much like you dance to her tune whenever she plays it and that needs to stop. She doesn't respect you because she is the one in charge. This will change if you stay strong.

NewlyGranny · 10/09/2021 14:55

OP, I think you could just back off and leave her to it. It sounds as if the bf may have issued an ultimatum along the lines of, "If I can't sponge off your mum, we're finished." She's passing the pressure on to you, but you are holding firm.

She will thank you for this in years to come! I wouldn't tell her that out loud right now, but I guarantee she will in the end.

CBroads · 10/09/2021 14:57

This reply has been deleted

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Charlize43 · 10/09/2021 18:25

Just stay firm, but do NOT resort to petty vindictive behaviour like turning the WIFI off, as that would make you as bad as her.

Keep busy, let her come to you in her own time. Please don't dwell on it too much. Best wishes.

Twinkie01 · 11/09/2021 07:10

She's just upping the anti. She's really not used to not getting what she wants. Please think of it like a toddler tantrum and give yourself a break.

SofiaMichelle · 11/09/2021 07:47

@Twinkie01

She's just upping the anti. She's really not used to not getting what she wants. Please think of it like a toddler tantrum and give yourself a break.
This^

Is she 19 years or 19 months old..?

Hang in there, OP. You sound like you've really done your best for all concerned and she will hopefully recognise that at some point.

Droite · 11/09/2021 11:35

@CBroads, where do you get the idea that OP's partner is dictating anything? It's perfectly obvious that OP is taking her own decisions.

Droite · 11/09/2021 11:41

Maybe the time has come to ask it there's something you don't know about that she wants to talk about, e.g. the boyfriend dumping her or her worrying that he's off with someone else.

Snog · 11/09/2021 11:57

How are you today OP?

Justilou1 · 11/09/2021 12:06

I have come back after thinking about this… I suspect the BF is “punishing” DD now because he is now having to pay his own way somewhere. That, or she had given him a false impression of how long he’d be welcome at @StewPots‘ house, and he’s not happy at having to change his plans. The theory that BF being there to be financially beholden to DD also gives her a bit of control. Without that hanging over him, she may be feeling very insecure again and projecting the blame towards her parents instead of cocklodger boyfriend.

tiredasamother2 · 11/09/2021 12:11

Sorry you're going through this.
I would let her move out. They're both working. Maybe it's time they take responsibility. I wouldn't even have my daughter's boyfriend stay over .. so no way to moving in. You've been very generous so far.
I would have another discussion with DD and if she threatens to move out... then calmly reply with " should I help you pack ?"

YukoandHiro · 11/09/2021 16:10

Agree with @Droite - the total silence at that age suggests she knows that if she opens her mouth she'll let something slip.
Are you absolutely sure she's not pregnant?

Snog · 11/09/2021 18:02
This might be helpful OP
Esspee · 12/09/2021 07:45

@StewPots are you OK?

StewPots · 12/09/2021 08:50

Hi everyone,

Just caught up with the thread as was not great on Friday then yesterday was trying to relax with DP and DS and make the best of it. DD still not speaking to me but has now been out to see the bf, that I know. So I’m just letting her get on with it for now. She is back at work tomorrow I think, so that will change things again. I’m going to concentrate on all the house jobs today to keep my mind busy and occupied!

OP posts:
TatianaBis · 12/09/2021 09:03

That sounds much more positive OP. Flowers

TatianaBis · 12/09/2021 09:03

Glad you were able to relax.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 12/09/2021 09:28

Sounds good that she's doing things again - but she's still holding you to ransom until you give in, so keep doing what you're doing, stand firm, stay busy and I hope that eventually she'll either come round or move out.

madmumofteens · 12/09/2021 11:00

That sounds more positive OP keep strong and keep the faith it will get better 💐

JasonMomoasgirlfriend · 12/09/2021 11:06

Ignoring someone like this so actually emotional abuse.
She may well do the same to her bf when she doesn't get her way. It's not a good sign.

Gatekeeper · 12/09/2021 11:39

I've just read your threads and suddenly realised it's you StewPots Sad. I am so bloody sad this is happening to you and that your health issues haven't improved. I want to come down and give your daughter a bloody good shake.

I'm sorry lass...I really hope when she gets back to work she snaps out of it Flowers

StewPots · 12/09/2021 12:11

@Gatekeeper hello lovely… thank you. It’s tough here at the mo and I’m struggling on all sides. But as an aside Heidi is still going strong - she rules our entire cul de sac nowadays, has all the males even under her absolute control :)

She’s very spoilt still and has recently taken to sleeping in different spots but only for a 3 night maximum - so on my desk, then 3 nights later behind the bathroom door, then 3 nights on it’s somewhere else :)
She gets on well with Felix now as well :)

OP posts:
StewPots · 12/09/2021 12:16

@Gatekeeper here she is right now - currently using next door’s balcony flower box to clean herself in 🙄:)

19 year old daughter not speaking to me because of boyfriend situation
OP posts:
Dutchoma · 12/09/2021 12:30

I just saw your last message and thought you were still talking about your daughter.

StewPots · 12/09/2021 13:12

DD has spoken to me ( sort of ) via text message… so I’m obviously now unblocked. She asked me if she could please have some dinner when she gets back later and I just said “yep, of course” and left it at that… we will just see where that goes now but I am standing firm with bf, it’s gone too far to backtrack anyway in my mind. These are the rules - like it or lump it. I’ve not done her washing and I resisted the temptation to clear all the cups etc from her room. I’m trying hard to stay the course and managing well, but I’m feeling increasingly unwell from all the stress this week. Usually my body reacts after a stressful event then I’m on bed rest for at least 2-3 days trying to dodge hospital so… I’m just focusing on today’s jobs and sorting DS out.

OP posts: