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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu to feel at my wits end with dd13 or am being dramatic

59 replies

Catontoof · 02/04/2025 12:13

Long story short dd is constantly screaming shouting being rude to the point I cannot even have a conversation with her. Mother's Day she threw some flowers at me woukdnt spend any time with me didn't get me a card. The flowers she was made to get by my mum and so that felt really forced.

no nice words of love or appreciation
last night she told me I'm not a proper mum I can't cook etc
this morning in my room screaming about her hair wouldn't leave and turned abusive

I have had it, she hates going to her dads but I feel at a loss and feel as though I can no longer take it:
she is my dd and I would die for her but lately I just feel so resentful we can't go anywhere as it's just awful and full of strops and complaining.
she's rude to me in front of my friends
she won't go to anyone else but me I just feel isolated. But I also know this is teenagers maybe I'm expecting to much
I have no sensible family around me at all

OP posts:
Upstartled · 02/04/2025 13:10

Other than the conflict with your DD, are there any other stresses on your home? Is you life calm, peaceful and fairly orderly?

MattCauthon · 02/04/2025 13:11

I suspect that there's a LOT goign on here so there won't be any immediate fixes.

The first thing I would say is that you are in a negative spiral. And as the adult, you are going to hvae to be the one to break it. So right now, she's unahppy, she lashes out, you are upset, you shout etc. That's not to say poor behaviour ris okay or should be excused, but that she's still young and it's up to you to create an environment in which she wants to behave well.

[Also, while I hate the autmatic ND labels, its worth considering - ADHD or ASD brains dont' respond to punishments or consequences like threatening to take their phone and a lot of this sounds like the sort of ADHD negative spiral DS got himself into at slightly younger - 12, rising 13].

Think about what you can say to be positive/happy/supportive. Not a big chat. Not a huge issue. Just a thing. Did she get a good mark on a test? Did she make her bed this morning? even just has she got dressed and is wearing her full school uniform on time, or has put together a nice outfit on the weekend. Compliment or thank her. Actively look for moments like this. Small moments. YOu dont' have to turn them into a whole thing and please don't expect her to be grateful.

It doesn' tmatter if there's still negative in between. But too often I think the negative becomes the default and you're angry/upset and so don't see or acknowlege any of the positive.

Then, what nice things can you do for her that are, again, minor. What' sher favourite meal - can you just get it in or cook it. No drama just, "Dinner's ready - it's your favourite pasta dish" or whatever.

Then you need to start addressing the bigger issues. I'd start with a meeting with the school. What's going on at school? how is her behaviour, academic performance etc. Do they have any insight into her friendship groups or social interactions? Do they have suggestions? What positive input can THEY provide at school - eg when DS was in his spiral, school helped by making a point to identify POSITIVE things, even if minor, as all he ever heard was negative feedback. Does she have a favourite teacher you could talk to, or an approachable form teacher who could run interference for her?

Wht can you put in place to incentivise her? A sit down chat, where you pick one thing you want to improve on, with an incentive - so perhaps it's how she behaves at home or perhaps it's about getting up and ready for school on time or whatever it is.

DS gets small monetary "bonuses" for good report cards. Consistently proving he can be trusted leads to him getting more independence.

He is very food orientated so I buy his favourites or make his favourites when I know he's had a tough day/week but for her it might be something different.

Is there something she's desperate to do or have that you can offer as an incentive? DS wanted to be able to take the train to go somewhere.... so we used that as an incentive - "prove you can be responsible, get yourself ready on time, be proactive, and we'll let you take the train which requires all of those things." And he did.

Say yes when you can. People get twitchy about this one as they think it's spoiling the child. But again, by now, all she ever hears is negative feedback. So when she asks if she can go out with her friends, if your instinct is to say no, stop and think "why? what is the real harm?" and instead say yes. DS was so used to no no no all the time that he was nervous to ask us if he could start a new sport. Similarly, while I loathe sleepovers, I make a point of saying yes almost every time if I can because it's an easy win in terms of me saying yes and not no.

The result was that over a few months, we saw significant improvements. I'm not naive enough to think the problems are solved. they flare and will flare. But the truly awful place we were in about a year ago has definitely gone away.

Jellycatspyjamas · 02/04/2025 13:12

I’d start by removing the phone. If she has a meltdown so be it. I think the pressure to be available 24/7 if too much for anyone and the mindless scrolling doesn’t help. My DD is also 13 and has her challenges but she knows her phone is a privilege and one that I can withdraw at any time. Recording you in your home is deeply disrespectful and I’d set a clear boundary around that.

I’d also start disengaging when she’s being abusive - I’d tell her we can talk when she’s calmer and leave her to it.

If there’s a reason for her being shouty I’ll try to help her, eg helping her with her hair and will be super calm. She needs you to model keeping cool and problem solving if at all possible. It’s hard because emotions and hormones are all over the place but there also needs to be a boundary.

Getting some space may be no bad thing - not in a “you’re so awful, go to your dad” way but more in a maybe we both need some space.

LighthouseTeaCup · 02/04/2025 13:25

Growlybear83 · 02/04/2025 12:28

I’m afraid she sounds like a typical 13 year old.

No she doesn't!

QuickPeachPoet · 02/04/2025 15:42

Growlybear83 · 02/04/2025 12:28

I’m afraid she sounds like a typical 13 year old.

Are you having a laugh?

FatFilledTrottyPuss · 02/04/2025 16:05

I've got no advice op but my own dd was like this when she started puberty. Her favourite insult was ugly old hag, followed by shit mum, crap parent, etc etc. The worst things got was when she stabbed my pillow with a kitchen knife about 20 times.
She’s grown out of it now and she’s an absolute joy and loves me more than anyone. There’s hope for your dd too.

mnreader · 02/04/2025 16:55

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mnreader · 02/04/2025 17:03

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verycloakanddaggers · 02/04/2025 17:10

What's the story with her dad? Has she had any difficulties at school? How does she find school work? How about hobbies and social life? What's her routine?

She sounds really unhappy. Yes she's behaving badly but could there be something underlying it?

Obvnotthegolden · 02/04/2025 17:15

Hormones can get the better of them at that age.
She's probably confused by her own behaviour and doesn't understand it herself.

My dd was like this, and after a particularly bad weekend of battles and meltdowns, I decided on a completely different strategy.

Instead of rules and punishments I read up on oppositional defiance and started being more collaborative with her.
You can search low demand parenting as well for more info.

It reduced the stress, anxiety and meltdowns and she began to trust me again, saw that I was working with her and for her, not against her.

Headachequeen · 02/04/2025 17:20

People will hate me saying this but have you ever thought she might have ADHD? This is exactly what I was like as a teen and was diagnosed later in life. It’s only now I have kids this age myself (girls) I realise that it’s not normal to go on like that.

greengreyblue · 02/04/2025 17:30

Growlybear83 · 02/04/2025 12:28

I’m afraid she sounds like a typical 13 year old.

Errr I don’t think so. Throwing flowers at her mum on Mother’s Day is not typical

Maryleport · 02/04/2025 17:37

jellyfishperiwinkle · 02/04/2025 12:25

I think rather than punishment you need to sit down and have a good chat with her when things are calm and find out what's going on with her. Kids don't act out for nothing.

I was the same at the age and has a lovely home and family! I was fortunate. It’s the age, and sometimes just sometimes teenagers do act like that. Growing up and hormones, finding our way into the world from early childhood to more adult stuff. Also, I could point out being neurodivergent? Maybe, acting out to mask. Either way it’s not always something sinister.

carcassonne1 · 02/04/2025 17:42

She's acting like a spoilt brat that has never been taught respect for others or given any boundaries, just given a phone to keep quiet and not disturb. Christ, what have we done to our kids...

Abracadabra1 · 02/04/2025 17:46

QuickPeachPoet · 02/04/2025 12:25

She sounds vile OP. So sorry.
For what it’s worth, she will no doubt see the light and come crawling back one day. When she realises that when the chips are down nobody loves her and cares about her as much as her mum.

She doesn't sound vile. Her behaviour is showing that she doesn't feel good about something..maybe school, friends, family relationships, who knows. Routine, consistency and love are crucial, children who are acting out need love more than ever.
OP Sarah Rockwell smith has some excellent books on raising teens.

looselegs · 02/04/2025 18:07

She records you????
I'd be throwing her phone out the window....

MakeItToTheMoon · 02/04/2025 18:45

Abracadabra1 · 02/04/2025 17:46

She doesn't sound vile. Her behaviour is showing that she doesn't feel good about something..maybe school, friends, family relationships, who knows. Routine, consistency and love are crucial, children who are acting out need love more than ever.
OP Sarah Rockwell smith has some excellent books on raising teens.

I agree! Parenting books can be so useful. Your DD sounds like a teenager that knows how to push your buttons. There is a reason she is taking everything out on you but you must be exhausted.

Deep down she does love you and still needs you. I find that going for a long walk or drive (without phones) can really open up conversation without arguments.

Why does she not like going to her dad’s house? Has there been any changes to her life?

Catontoof · 02/04/2025 18:46

Headachequeen · 02/04/2025 17:20

People will hate me saying this but have you ever thought she might have ADHD? This is exactly what I was like as a teen and was diagnosed later in life. It’s only now I have kids this age myself (girls) I realise that it’s not normal to go on like that.

She does have adhd but also she very much understand's hurtful
behavoir she can be remorseful after but it's just gets to much

we have a calm life but I feel very isolated because of the demands and things that are needed to parent her solo. She won't allow other pollen like her dad to be too involved too much he isn't great he just see's it as my job to see she comes to his at the time he chooses but doesn't help in any other way

recently her friendships have been tricky iv realised she finds it hard to be loving or close how I see other girls her age being - she does have friendships she's a very popular girl she has started to have a limit with people though

OP posts:
Catontoof · 02/04/2025 18:47

greengreyblue · 02/04/2025 17:30

Errr I don’t think so. Throwing flowers at her mum on Mother’s Day is not typical

She didn't thrown them throw them she more pushed them
in my direction as though it was an annoyance maybe that's my using the wrong word

OP posts:
Catontoof · 02/04/2025 18:49

Abracadabra1 · 02/04/2025 17:46

She doesn't sound vile. Her behaviour is showing that she doesn't feel good about something..maybe school, friends, family relationships, who knows. Routine, consistency and love are crucial, children who are acting out need love more than ever.
OP Sarah Rockwell smith has some excellent books on raising teens.

I think your on to something there now I think about it it's meltdowns about her looks a lot lately that triggers it this morning it was triggered by her hair not going right. So maybe that's it

thanks I will look at it

OP posts:
Catontoof · 02/04/2025 18:51

MakeItToTheMoon · 02/04/2025 18:45

I agree! Parenting books can be so useful. Your DD sounds like a teenager that knows how to push your buttons. There is a reason she is taking everything out on you but you must be exhausted.

Deep down she does love you and still needs you. I find that going for a long walk or drive (without phones) can really open up conversation without arguments.

Why does she not like going to her dad’s house? Has there been any changes to her life?

Thank you I know that deep down I was so upset this morning but have calmed down a bit now

she just doesn't like
him and I have to stop her being quite extreme saying she hates him. He hasn't done anything I think he's a bit strict and she can be very defiant and rejecting to strict people particularly males - all the teachers she has issues with are strict males

OP posts:
Headachequeen · 02/04/2025 18:52

I’m amazed you didn’t open with the ADHD tbh.

I know it’s hard and I know her behaviour is awful but I think you need to be more understanding of her neurodiversity.

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 02/04/2025 18:53

My dd had major issues with her friendship group aged 13-16. Sometimes she was really angry and horrible to me. I told her I was on her side, I understood she was angry BUT I was her ally, not her whipping boy! She could talk to me, I would listen, I could help any way I could (facilitating meet ups with new friends, welcoming them here etc), but taking it out on me was not helpful to either of us!
She did get a lovely new group of friends eventually, and we have a great relationship now, but those years can be tough! You need to draw the line between what you can do to be helpful vs being treated like a piece of dirt

Pinkissmart · 02/04/2025 19:01

Listened to a podcast this morning featuring JT Power - he said some very interesting things about dopamine and phone use

AlwaysPerfumed · 02/04/2025 19:03

Growlybear83 · 02/04/2025 12:28

I’m afraid she sounds like a typical 13 year old.

If this is true then what a woeful picture it is.

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