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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Did we ruin daughter by spoiling

378 replies

Daringbear · 17/07/2023 16:11

Hi,
First of all I'm going to be quite vulnerable and I know this is my own doing so please be nice, even if harsh.
My only daughter is 17, she is 18 at the start of August. She was an incredibly wanted child, my husband and I had been trying for 6 years, several miscarriages, failed IVF rounds, it was emotionally the hardest time of my life. When our daughter was born 5 weeks early, and so desperately wanted all we wanted to do was spoil her. We were 35 and 38 by the time she was born, we had 6 extra years of career advancement so were in a financially good place and could spoil her. We knew we wouldn't have more children so we really put it all into our girl. She was also 5 years younger than her closest in age cousin, of which she only has 3 and all boys, so being the only girl and youngest she was also massively spoilt by grandparents. My husband and I aren't massively social people, we had two close friends who were in similar positions and kids a little older. We live in a town where most people are comfortable financially, the house prices are much higher than the rest of the region, so all of daughters socialising have been with children similar to her.
She was also among the youngest in her year, I was terrified she would feel less than etc. so we pushed our financial limits for piano lessons, ballet, tennis, vocal coaching etc. The best schools in our area were state schools so there wasn't that but we did cripple ourselves financially to ensure she never had to struggle, tutors too from about year 5.
Now to the current point my daughter is due to start university in September and increasingly as I view her more and more as an adult I realise she isn't very likeable, she isn't lazy, she is always busy but never doing anything of worth, we told her to get a summer job, she looked for a day said they sounded boring and gave up, my husband still gives her, an allowance, refuses to stop and I find it impossible to be mad at her. So her summer has been spent shopping, enjoying the sun, playing sports, being with friends, going to the gym etc. nothing actually useful. She also has expensive taste and the only way I can describe it is she comes across snobby, she will talk down to me if she thinks my clothes are cheap etc.
She was very popular in school and sixth form, always had loads of friends and her reputation amongst them seems different than the girl I know. For the year book they got random people in the year to comment on the person and several of my daughters were about her being nice/friendly.
The other issue which is pretty new, she is a massive flirt!! She is very naturally pretty, tall, slim, blonde etc. and she is definitely not afraid to flaunt this. I hate it, she can come across very shallow. She will blatantly flirt with waiters etc. even Infront of me, it turns my stomach.
If I were to sum her up I'd use words like, smart, beautiful and eloquent but also shallow, snobby, stuck up and narcissistic. I hate that these are words I'd want to use.
My husband doesn't see it, still spoils her, has just bought her the most expensive tickets for Taylor Swift and a stupidly expensive laptop, whenever DD asks for money he hands it over, will never tell her off. Prides himself on being a cool dad etc.
I was talking to one of her friends mums when we were waiting to pick them up at the station and she asked if I could have a word with her as my daughter told her daughter she should work out more and she is going to get fat and that obviously upset her daughter. I spoke to my girl and she apologised but the fact she said it all horrifies me. My husband said he didn't see the issue.
I don't know what to do, I feel like I have failed and ruined her!! It was all done is pure love and wanting nothing but the best for her and now she isn't a nice person!!
AIBU to feel like I don't like her? If she wasn't my daughter I wouldn't want to be her friend. What do I do? Can I make this better?

OP posts:
Orangetreexherry · 17/07/2023 17:37

I live in an affluent area, my daughter's best friend spent a month in Italy with parents, other went to New-York and some other places on the USA (still not back), they would probably snub your daughter if they were snubs. Trust me, your daughter is not the most spoilt teenager by far, and might get a shock reality check when she meets actually privileged kids.

Hereinthismoment · 17/07/2023 17:38

And now we have the ‘huh, she thinks she’s wealthy!’ brigade showing up!

Hbh17 · 17/07/2023 17:38

If you are asking this question, OP, then the answer is pretty obvious.
Hopefully, university will give her a taste of the real world. The big worry is that your husband thinks it's OK to continue to indulge her.

OoopsOhNo · 17/07/2023 17:39

Well, if I were to sum her up I'd use words like: normal for many teenagers!

She'll probably grow out of it, try not to worry too much.

FlowersInTheSky · 17/07/2023 17:39

🤦‍♀️

Zebedee55 · 17/07/2023 17:40

OP - she sounds like a very normal, confident, teenage girl.

I've bought up 2 kids and have 5 adult grandchildren - that is what they are like at that age.

If she's attractive, and knows it, them yes, it's all pouting and flirting - it's the age of Instagram etc - they all need to show off.🙄

College, Uni, or work will knock the tough edges off of her - I bet in a few years, she's a lovely young adult.

We all do the best we can by our kids, so don't feel guilty for "spoiling" her.🙂

LimePi · 17/07/2023 17:42

You need to continue talking to her when she’s being unkind and so on. Yes you should have started earlier but you still can, and eventually it might sink through. You can also tell her that you don’t want to see her flirting in front of you with waiters, as it is disrespectful for you.
also lots of people are shallow and insufferable at 17, hopefully the life will teach her. Especially at uni and at work.
She still has enough friends to feel she is nice so maybe she isn’t that terrible as you fear.

you do need to get on the same page with her husband about more moderate spending (maybe through couples counselling?)
re summer work- to be honest ANY work is not terribly useful. Better encourage her to apply for summer jobs or unpaid internships in her field, thats much more useful than working in a bar. (Although a server job is a good one to learn some humility and respect towards people in hospitality industry)

wehavelostsightofwhatanormalhoodiesizeis · 17/07/2023 17:43

You didn’t misread. I have no idea what this girl is doing that’s so terrible. I’ll risk deletion and admit I think it’s a reverse or made up, but the responses aren’t and the number of people just dying to see a nice looking teenager have a terrible time is a bit worrying!

I agree with you.

Her crime seems to be young and attractive, popular, and making the most of generous parents.

Shock horror.

ToWhitToWhoo · 17/07/2023 17:43

Sounds like a normal rather arrogant and hormone-filled teenager. A young person of this age is very unlikely to be permanently ruined. Life will soon teach her a few lessons about planning, budgeting and general politeness and consideration.

wehavelostsightofwhatanormalhoodiesizeis · 17/07/2023 17:44

Hopefully, university will give her a taste of the real world.

have you been to university? 😂

BounceyB · 17/07/2023 17:44

If it's a relatively new thing I wouldn't worry. As people have said, none of us are our best selves at 17. Just keep on giving her a reality check and eventually she'll come round.

amberisola · 17/07/2023 17:45

wehavelostsightofwhatanormalhoodiesizeis · 17/07/2023 17:35

wow, projecting much?

All that about from a 17 year old who is an average teen, but a bit on the spoilt side?

Lol. If you think that's normal then your own kids must be just as spoilt and nasty. There's nothing normal about it, sorry.

sunglassesonthetable · 17/07/2023 17:46

Would the OP prefer if her daughter had no friends and spent her summer sitting in her room by herself. A 17 yo spending one summer with friends, keeping fit, playing sport, some shopping, etc. isn’t heading down a path of self destruction.

Yes I wondered what "the serious " things are that she should be doing?

She sounds like a pretty standard version of a popular, affluent, 17 year old with time and money and not a care in the world. And in my experience kids that age can be gobsmackingly self centred.

We're all different. I get more of sense that she's not enough like you OP. That's what you're uncomfortable with .

You're socially an introvert and this popular, socially attractive daughter who has lived a very privileged life appears to be a very different creature.

Our kids aren't always like us or even hold the same values.

Try and like the positives about her. Try and see what her friends see.

I think you need to to be slowing down the money tap for sure. Your daughter is not really learning much about the value of money. But that is an OH problem by the sound of it.

SoShallINever · 17/07/2023 17:47

She is at the beginning of her life journey, she could turn out brilliantly yet.
My DD was a bit of a self centered brat at 17, she definitely seemed work shy too. At 25 she is entirely different, kind, giving, non judgemental and earning way more than me in a job where she protects others.
She's still a massive flirt though 😁

Moveoverdarlin · 17/07/2023 17:48

She really doesn’t sound that bad. University will be great for her. One thing I would suggest is letting her take out a student loan. It’ll be in her name, she’ll pay it back when she starts working, it’s low interest, it’s about the safest loan you can get and it’ll be good to have something official on her name. Everyone else will have one whether they come from wealthy families or not. Saying ‘I haven’t got a student loan because Dad just gives me the money’ will instantly set her apart from her peers. Everyone gets their loan on the same day, it’ll make her part of the group.

PurpleSky300 · 17/07/2023 17:48

Such a a strange post.
Why would you worry about your child feeling “less than” when she had so much.
Why would you care if she was ‘popular’ so long as she had friends?
Why would it matter that she’s pretty, tall, blonde?
Sorry OP but it sounds like you placed value on the wrong things and now you are surprised because your daughter is doing the same.

Sandydune · 17/07/2023 17:48

She sounds like many girls of her age.
I identify with feeling disappointed in your child. I wouldn’t say we spoiled my daughter as such, but we invested so much time and energy in her and gave her every opportunity. She’s entitled and can be cruel to us. I despair at her lack of moral values.
Remind yourself that you love her but it’s fine not to like her or her behaviour.
You need to talk to your husband - if you don’t enable her to stand on her own two feet financially and in other ways at uni, you’ll be setting yourself up for heartache later. Give her basic support by topping up her loan if required, but make it clear that there will be no indulgences and she’ll be expected to work part time.
Above all, it’s time to spoil yourself now - you have made sacrifices for her, now it’s your time. Perhaps she’ll show more respect for you if you stop treating yourself as second to her.
I do feel for you - it’s not easy. I’m sure she’ll eventually grow into a wonderful young woman. 💐

Flamingos89 · 17/07/2023 17:48

She still has a lot of life to live and lessons to learn. I certainly was not my ‘best self’ as a 17 year old girl. Sometimes memories come to mind and I think ‘wow can’t believe I said or did that’. Can happily say I am a much more well rounded person now and like to think, kind hearted! She is going through an awkward time when popularity feels like the be all and all. But it will change and she will figure it all out.

Not many people stay the way they were at 17 and as her mum I think it’s important you forgive her for some of the ‘cringey’ things she does at this age.

Absolutely keep her moral compass in check. If anything I feel the parenting guidance you offer her at this age is important

Autoflower · 17/07/2023 17:48

wehavelostsightofwhatanormalhoodiesizeis · 17/07/2023 17:43

You didn’t misread. I have no idea what this girl is doing that’s so terrible. I’ll risk deletion and admit I think it’s a reverse or made up, but the responses aren’t and the number of people just dying to see a nice looking teenager have a terrible time is a bit worrying!

I agree with you.

Her crime seems to be young and attractive, popular, and making the most of generous parents.

Shock horror.

Telling a peer that she needs to work out more?

Orangetreexherry · 17/07/2023 17:49

Hereinthismoment · 17/07/2023 17:38

And now we have the ‘huh, she thinks she’s wealthy!’ brigade showing up!

Well, you can't spoil the child by doing some extra-curriculum activities, can you?

WhichEllie · 17/07/2023 17:49

You said yourself that aside from the one comment to the friend, she is well-liked and considered kind by her peers. Your husband obviously adores her, which seems like a big issue for you. You seem to be the only one that dislikes her and sees a bunch of problems with her as a person.

Your complaints stem from her being pretty, her having nice clothes, her having nice experiences, her flirting and getting attention from men. You are particularly upset that she gets so much from your husband.

I lived this with my own mother and recognized much of this immediately. Please, get some help. Speak to a therapist that can help you work through this and unpick these insecurities and, yes, jealousies that you have. I hope you have kept these thoughts to yourself instead of criticizing her with them.

Porageeater · 17/07/2023 17:49

I think she sounds fine OP with some fairly typical teenage traits. If dd talks down to me ‘what are you actually wearing mum?’, I just tell it’s rude. Your dd is confident at least and I would be glad about that. Hopefully she will grow out of some of the rest of it.

poptypingchef · 17/07/2023 17:51

From the other side of it , you could have been describing my cousin’s upbringing. They were an only child and I am one of a large family. They are a few years younger than me and I could not stand to be about them as a child as they were very difficult to be around for many reasons … as an adult they are one of my favourite people and one of the few cousins I am close to. They have grown up and realised there is a bigger world out there with people of many backgrounds.

On the flip side I’m currently pregnant with our much wanted, long awaited first (and probably only) child. I’m terrified I won’t be able to stop spoiling them 🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈

superplumb · 17/07/2023 17:52

I was awful at 17 but for diff reasons. I did have a job though because my parents wouldn't just give me money for no reason. I did learn the value of it quickly because once it was gone it was gone. Same at uni but I'd disagree with the above, I met plenty if spoilt rich kids. I remember one girl who scrapped a 3rd cried on the phone to her dad and the next day got to choose a car because he felt sorry for her, so I wouldn't assume uni will sort her out. I would tell your husband to stop the money for one

churrios · 17/07/2023 17:52

She sounds like she’s having a ball , if someone wanted to fund me having a stress free summer I would. Your main concern seems to be she is snobby and doesn’t have worthwhile activities. Maybe look for volunteer opportunities to work with folk less fortunate , helping at a home for the elderly for example. Might help adjust her attitude.