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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:
Ourlady · 12/09/2021 13:38

Stay strong Stew, you have done so so well holding firm and I think the text from your daughter shows she has realised she has taken things too far and you will not cave.
I'm sorry this is making you so unwell but I think you have done amazingly well in standing your ground despite the pressure and stress.
It will be all be worth it in the end.

billy1966 · 12/09/2021 15:03

Stay strong OP.

Your daughter needs you to be strong and show her boundaries.

This is about showing her what self respect looks like, so she can develop some herself.

People who treat others badly lack self respect IMO and attract similarly flawed characters.

Let her see that you have steel in you and will not be treated poorly.

Give her the opportunity to respect you, even if she doesn't like you.

You can do this and will feel better long term for doing so.Flowers

RandomMess · 12/09/2021 15:22

That was the closets thing you'll get from your DD accept it with grace but remain solid in your boundaries!

NewlyGranny · 12/09/2021 15:25

Be ready in case she comes back with bf in tow for a crafty manoevre!

Beamur · 12/09/2021 19:22

Your kitty is super cute.
Hope all's well!

SchadenfreudePersonified · 12/09/2021 20:21

@billy1966

Stay strong OP.

Your daughter needs you to be strong and show her boundaries.

This is about showing her what self respect looks like, so she can develop some herself.

People who treat others badly lack self respect IMO and attract similarly flawed characters.

Let her see that you have steel in you and will not be treated poorly.

Give her the opportunity to respect you, even if she doesn't like you.

You can do this and will feel better long term for doing so.Flowers

As Above.

She's fighting you, but she needs you to stand firm even though she isn't aware of it.

You are doing so well - it's bliddy hard work being a mam.

Justilou1 · 13/09/2021 01:58

I honestly would have asked her what she was planning on cooking you.

cstaff · 14/09/2021 10:51

@stewpots
Hi op. Just wondering if things have improved in your house and by that I mean that your daughter has realised how much hurt and pain she has caused and, if not apologised at least acknowledged that she is in the wrong. I know this is difficult but you need to hold your own on this issue as otherwise they will just see you as a complete walkover. Hope you are ok and good luck.

StewPots · 18/09/2021 09:01

Hi everyone,

Sorry been a hectic week! DD is talking to me, but in one sentences or words but I’m just getting on with it. Tbf though she has had tonsillitis this week so I’ve made sure she called GP and was ok.

She will get there I suppose. BF hasn’t been round but she has seen him and then stayed at his mums the other night 🙄

But yes everyone in my RL circle says if they want to live together then do it on their own dime so to speak and also that DD needs to grow up a bit too. It’s like she’s regressed but we will see how this week goes.

OP posts:
beastlyslumber · 18/09/2021 09:09

Tonsillitis is horrible, surprised she is able to get out and see BF if she's unwell. It sounds like she is slowly getting to grips with reality. She can't maintain the same level of hostility and I suspect she will gradually come around. She does need to grow up a bit, or if she wants to stay a baby, will have to accept that the price for that is not having any independence or say over her life. Unfortunately, we can't have it both ways! A harsh lesson to learn for everyone, I think.

I do think she owes you an apology and a conversation where she acknowledges her behaviour and its consequences. If that isn't forthcoming, and she simply slips back into being your friend again and acting as though none of it ever happened, I would definitely sit her down and raise the issues with her. Not to give her a hard time, but to give her the chance to think about her values and what kind of a person she wants to be as an adult.

Gatekeeper · 18/09/2021 10:06

@StewPots I'm so , SO glad Heidi is still in your life. I didn't dare mention her incase she had been 'promoted to glory'. So pleased she is still dispensing love and affection

Cirin · 18/09/2021 10:18

There's been a few threads lately with people letting their kids' boy/girlfriends move into the family home and then create drama. When did this become a thing? We saw it happen in our extended family and it meant their poor 16 year old DD now had her abusive 20 year old 'boyfriend' stick in the house with her, terrorising her younger siblings as well.

If their own parents don't want them, there's no joy to be had making them your problem!

Adults find their own places to live. They do not crawl into other family homes to argue with residents.

Your 7 year old also deserves a safe and peaceful home, not one with a strange man living in it half the time.

Extract yourself from your daughter's love life and encourage them to take their drama to a flat or houseshare. Your family home is not for some 'boyfriend' to inhabit.

StewPots · 23/09/2021 06:54

Hi everyone.

So after taking care of DD all weekend because she has a throat infection, and has been really ill, get to last night and she took an overdose of sertraline.

I woke up to the text this morning. She’s ok. I’m going over there soon as DS is at school, but yeah…. Failed as a parent clearly.

OP posts:
Hadenoughofthisbullshit · 23/09/2021 07:36

Oh no, stewpots you haven’t failed her. There might be more going on than you know. Hope DD is ok. Flowers

StewPots · 23/09/2021 08:22

She wants me in the room when mental health team come down.

OP posts:
beastlyslumber · 23/09/2021 08:34

Oh god OP. Don't panic and don't blame yourself. You've done nothing wrong and this is not your fault.

Hope she's okay and hope you are too Flowers

ThinWomansBrain · 23/09/2021 08:37

I don’t get why your daughter and her bf don’t just move out and get their own place?
because they couldn't rent a place for two people including bills and food for £200ish a month.
If they are both working full time, they should be contributing approx 20% each for the full cost of being there - rent. utilities and food - and behave civilly to both you and your partner.

Personally I'd encourage them both to move out if your daughter is being rude and ungrateful to both you and your partner.

Threatened to move out? Sounds more like a promise to me.

CaptSkippy · 23/09/2021 08:42
Flowers

What a horrible situation. But you haven't failed her. I have been in conflict with my parents a few times in my life to the point of not speaking. However, even though it didn't make me happy, it was definitely not the worst time of my life either.

There is far more going on. And the fact that your daughter wants you there means you haven't failed her. Far from it.

StewPots · 23/09/2021 10:22

Thank you everyone.

I’m here at A & E now, DD has gone in for her assessment, said she’d rather do it alone in end. BF bring me over but he said he feels he may have triggered it as said he wasn’t ready to move in with her!!! DD hasn’t said anything about that to me and I haven’t pushed it but… yeah there’s a lot going on. He feels he can’t say how he feels because she reacts badly - he doesn’t have MH issues himself or anyone in his family so I explained it’s very difficult and requires a lot of support and patience. That’s my perspective, as someone who suffers from extreme anxiety disorder and has been where DD is now… I just don’t know how to feel, I’m in shock and I genuinely don’t know how much more I can take myself to be honest. I’m flaring badly this morning as well, want to cry but also be strong for DD. And I wish my dad was here more than anything as he would’ve been able to kee me calm and rationalise the situation

OP posts:
StewPots · 23/09/2021 10:26

I just broke down to the nurse about everything. I want my Dad :(

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 23/09/2021 10:31

Oh I'm so sorry this has happened. It sounds as though you were right that she wanted him close by because she didn't trust him. He was happy to move in when it meant he could live there free of charge, wasn't he? It doesn't sound as though their relationship will last, does it? She will feel much better if she's the one to end it, but she probably wouldn't agree with that.

I hope she's OK and that you are, too.

BingBongToTheMoon · 23/09/2021 10:32

You poor thing.
This isn’t your fault, nor is it bf’s.
I hope your daughter gets the help she needs in hospital.

cstaff · 23/09/2021 10:51

Ah op I'm so sorry to hear this. None of this is your fault. I hope that your dd gets the help she needs and hopefully you two get a chance to talk and see things from both sides. Look after yourself and your dd.

ThanksIGotItInMorrisons · 23/09/2021 11:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ThanksIGotItInMorrisons · 23/09/2021 11:01

Shit, crossed post. I’ll report it now. Sorry op. Good luck. Flowers