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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Teenage daughter help!!

11 replies

Mum474 · 19/10/2024 02:56

My daughter 17, hasn't spoken 2 me 4 5 weeks. I got upset away from the kids, with depression? Menopause. She says to her dad she hates me, when I tried to speak to her, she told me not to speak to her in the most awful way. I have 4 kids and apologised for my behaviour the next day. Its impacting on the family and my 12 year old is really upset. She's breaking our family. I tried writing a letter, which hasn't worked. Her dad's tried speaking to her, which hasn't helped. I understand the changes etc a child goes through, but I can't cope I am thinking about moving out for a while, but I'm scared I won't come back. She has verbally hurt me so much- again I understand she probably doesn't mean it and it's her age. But I never thought she could be so hurtful, we've also been getting on really well until this, I thought we'd been through the hard part. Sorry for the long post. Just feeling broken and worried about the impact on my youngest

OP posts:
mdinbc · 19/10/2024 03:05

I think you and your husband need to have a united front. You don't say what actually happened (and we don't need details) that you had to apologize for, but obviously it has affected your eldest deeply. If your husband and the rest of the kids have forgiven and moved on, then you all need to sit and address the situation between you and the eldest.

offyoujollywelltrot · 19/10/2024 04:44

Can you be more specific? your daughter is upset with you but you aren't giving us the full picture.

Mummyoflittledragon · 19/10/2024 06:20

I have a 16 year old. Teens can difficult to parent and it’s basically parenting by consent. Idk what you said to your dd. Telling them, demanding, commanding and opposing your world view on them doesn’t work. Teens are hardwired to push away, rebel. It is evolutionary.

Seeing as you’re talking about moving out, I am presuming there is some spare money somewhere. Rather than using that to move out, I would use it for some decent therapy for your mental health. And to also pay for some therapy for your dd an you together. Before the latter, there will probably need to be some more repair work.

I agree with pps about your dh and you presenting a united front. This isn’t about pleading. This is about parenting together. Being a strong team. And it isn’t about coercing your dd to talk to you again either. What you said appears to have hurt a lot. You can both recognise that and admit that the family needs time to heal. Your dd also needs to be shown a way to come back from this. As do you.

I came across this podcast the other day about teens and I thought I would share it with you. What we do know is that talking to them is that they work best by being showered with affection, not with authoritarian parents. Perhaps that isn’t how you were parented. I had authoritarian parents myself and how it was for you growing up isn’t relevant and I would avoid talking about this as it only going to put her / your dc’s back up. Think about the strength of the communication, not the strength of the argument.

You may have apologised. However, have you expressed true remorse and identified how she may be feeling. Does she even know how she is feeling? Has she told any of her siblings how she is feeling? My guess is this perhaps isn’t just about the one argument but about events spanning a longer time frame as you mentioned depression and menopause. Are you on hrt for this? And antidepressants? Therapy?

To discuss your dd’s feelings about the situation, maybe approach it like this. ‘I can see you’re still deeply hurt. I am figuring this is because what I said was so terribly unacceptable and because it was very unfair and because I have been much less available to you as a mum recently and because it must be hard to be my daughter right now. I am still your mum and I am truly sorry for what I said to you. And I am sorry I’ve been so unavailable and unpredictable. And I am trying hard to fix things. Please know that I will always love you and nothing will ever change that. I am still learning myself and being a parent to a young woman is all very new and I am looking into ways I can transition to be that parent. I may still make mistakes along the way and I would really appreciate your help to get me there. Perhaps when you are ready, we could do (x fun stuff, go for a walk, go for a coffee, meal, watch x tv show together) so that we can start building bridges. I love you very very much and I am so proud of you.’

Don’t expect an instant ok mum. You’re giving your dd options. It may still take time and she may need to see results. The best thing for now is to make do with the situation. No begging or pleading. Your dd saw you being very much out of control and is likely also scared of seeing this again. Part of her not wanting to talk to you will be to protect herself from not seeing that part of you again.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/64MIxhQyXxkerSgXBV6Ojy?si=3jVCoXsnSSKJKsnswHbwRg&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A4irXBwuQZggGI0b4yjgBCf

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/64MIxhQyXxkerSgXBV6Ojy?si=3jVCoXsnSSKJKsnswHbwRg&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A4irXBwuQZggGI0b4yjgBCf

Mummyoflittledragon · 19/10/2024 06:25

mdinbc · 19/10/2024 03:05

I think you and your husband need to have a united front. You don't say what actually happened (and we don't need details) that you had to apologize for, but obviously it has affected your eldest deeply. If your husband and the rest of the kids have forgiven and moved on, then you all need to sit and address the situation between you and the eldest.

I agree with the united front between parents. I would not be sitting down together. That is high pressure. The way to resolve this is low pressure. Nudging her in the right direction, encouraging her back. Doing low level family things together such as introducing a weekly games night and giving her the opportunity to join. Op getting her dh to ask for her to join and ignoring that she still isn't speaking to her mum etc. Giving her space but gently tugging in the right direction.

Starlight7080 · 19/10/2024 06:26

Don't leave. Your other children need you. You will regret it.
This may be a phase in the future you may have a good relationship again. But right now just focus on your other children and maybe if not already see gp about depression/menopause.

And give your 17 year old time .

Candaceowens · 19/10/2024 06:36

Your post is all about you and nothing at all about her or why she's feeling this way.

And when your teenage daughter is struggling you think moving out is a good idea?

pilates · 19/10/2024 06:53

It’s not clear from your post but did you take time away from them with depression?

Bellyblueboy · 19/10/2024 07:28

I grew up with a mum who had anger and rage issues. It was an eggshell house - you never knew what mood she would be in.

she would then play the victim if she upset us, and my dad orbited around her telling us repeatedly not to upset her - clean the house, cook the meals, stay quiet etc etc.

she would have reacted like you, threatened to move out, go on long drives etc while we panic cleaned the house to make her happy.

im not saying that is what is going on here - because you haven’t told us any details. But it would be a good idea to explore the root cause of the issues - maybe therapy?

RevelryMum · 19/10/2024 07:31

You would move out of your own home to get away from your daughter OP ? That's not a solution and would hurt everyone involved. What exactly happened and why you haven't given any details ??

Eenameenadeeka · 19/10/2024 08:46

Your children need you. If you move out, they will feel abandoned. I'm not sure why she's upset with you, but your relationship with her is important for her wellbeing. Maybe family therapy, and definitely for yourself to help you feel like you can cope better too. Teen behavior can be difficult but it's our job to stick it out and keep guiding them.

TessaFromGreece · 19/10/2024 09:00

She's breaking our family.

No your are breaking your family with the threat of moving out and leaving them.

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