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Behaviour/development

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Advice please don't judge, wits end.

93 replies

wanderingwilma · 21/09/2014 14:20

My son started a fire near a garage yesterday.
I drove him to the police station in the hope they would have a word. No officers available.
Got home and he ran off, returning late at night. He's 12.
This morning he got up and was told he was grounded, told to tidy the garden, he ran off. He stood at the front window tossin the V, blatant defiance.
When I finally it him in he wanted to ring dad (we are seperated) I'd email dad earlier explainin the situation and asked him to support me.
Son said "mums a knob, she shouted at me"
All dad could manage was "tell her I she shouts again I'll come up tree and smash her face in"
I can't explain his behaviour other than complete defiance. Nobody else matters and he doesn't give a shit about the consequences. He's hit me and kicked a door off.
Dp has left, told me to ring him when son has gone. We just can't take anymore.
I've rung the police who couldn't send anyone out as it didn't really warrant an officer and there aren't any pcso's on duty.
I've runs emergency childrens services who said to let him clam down and they'll call me back later.
Ie done nothing but cry for the last hour, he keeps coming back to the house, goading and kicking off.
I know tomorrow morning it's going to be the same when he refuses to go to school.
I'm ill with it.
Advice and hand hold please.

OP posts:
financialwizard · 25/09/2014 13:57

WW my son is the same. He is 13. My ex is also the same. My son is now only allowed to see his father for short bursts of time.

He started cadets and has got better but I still need to remind him I'm the Mum.

wanderingwilma · 25/09/2014 14:17

I wish it was that easy. Ive told him, all I get back is abuse. he has no respect fro me at all. God knows what Im going to do now hes been excluded!
Ive emailed his dad. Ive told him whats happened and Ive told him we can either move forward for his sake or carry on just wrecking the DC lives. he has a choice now, I imagine nothing will change.

OP posts:
whattodoforthebest2 · 25/09/2014 14:30

I'm sorry to hear about the exclusion - that's awful - how long is he excluded for?

I agree it's time for X to step up and behave like a proper parent instead of a thug. Hopefully you'll get some support from ss - I have no experience of them tho' so don't know what they might be able to do.

Goldmandra · 25/09/2014 14:32

For a start, SS could recommend that your DS stops seeing his father if that would be in his best interests.

Why has he been excluded?

Could you ask SS to meet you at school tomorrow so you're all talking together?

Did you manage to stand your ground about confiscating his phone and withdrawing privileges the other day?

wanderingwilma · 25/09/2014 15:16

Hes been excluded for one day however this is his final warning. They said he is simply "taking up too many rescources and running them ragged with his complete defiance"

Unfortunatly I didnt stand my ground with the phone, I gave it back in the hope he would calm down and leave me alone for a while, he hasnt been onto dad though because his phone is still cut off and no email have been exchanged.

Ive bought the book "get out of my life but first take me and alex to the shopping centre" Seems a good read and I think I know where Im going wrong but it doesnt help the situation now sadly.

OP posts:
MrsMcRuff · 25/09/2014 15:24

All dad could manage was "tell her I she shouts again I'll come up tree and smash her face in"

I can't explain his behaviour

Yes, you can. ^^

Sad I'm sorry you and you ds are going through this.

whattodoforthebest2 · 25/09/2014 16:42

Is there any way you can sit down and talk to your DS calmly and explain to him that if he wants to stay at that school (which you said he does), then he needs to change his behaviour. Otherwise neither you nor he will have any choice about it - he'll be out and you'll be looking for somewhere else for him and it might not be as accommodating as where he is now? (from his point of view, that is)

I suppose maybe moving him to the school that's nearer might be the next step then, especially if he can get there more easily.

Goldmandra · 25/09/2014 17:16

Unfortunatly I didnt stand my ground with the phone, I gave it back in the hope he would calm down and leave me alone for a while

I know this will sound very harsh, but this was a major mistake.

If your DS knows that trashing the house and hurting other people will get him what he wants, he will continue to run wild. He needs to know that when you say something you mean it. When he breaks a rule, there is a sanction and that sanction will not go away.

Until you have enough control to withdraw privileges and keep them withdrawn, you have no hope of managing his behaviour. He will continue to set fires, break curfews, trash the house, etc because he knows there is nothing you can do to stop him.

Children might fight boundaries and sanctions but they also need them. They feel safer when the adults caring for them are firmly in control. If he feels able to assert his will over you he will feel insecure and he will keep pushing to try to find the limit of what you will tolerate.

You need to think long and hard about where the boundaries should be and what the sanctions are for crossing them. Then you need to stick to them as if your life depends on it because your DS's future probably does.

Don't give in because he breaks property or threatens people. If necessary, deal with that by calling the police on 999. Stand your ground and keep standing it calmly and logically until he gets the message that there are consequences to his behaviour.

Talk to the school, explain this situation and ask them what they can do to support you. Also consider calling your local Parent Partnership Service/SENDIASS to ask for information and support re the exclusion, professionals who should be involved and support your DS may be entitled to.

wanderingwilma · 25/09/2014 17:38

I know now in hindsight giving the phone back was a bad descion. I was just at my wits end. He knew I'd lost control because I was an emotional wreck and just cried all day. I wasn't in control of the situation he was, looking back I just wanted him to go, to get out away from me.

OP posts:
wanderingwilma · 25/09/2014 17:41

Response from dad was "so, what do you want from me?"
I haven't even replied. I'm not anymore. I've enough to deal with without him.

I cancelled the school change because he's at my mums for now and she lives near his current school.
Complete nightmare!
You actually couldn't make this up!

OP posts:
Goldmandra · 25/09/2014 21:40

I wasn't in control of the situation he was, looking back I just wanted him to go, to get out away from me.

OK. We all have moments when we give up because it's all got too much. However you do need to regain some control over him and the only way to do that is to establish that, in your home, your word is law and sanctions don't go away because he kicks off.

He needs you to give him that security.

wanderingwilma · 30/09/2014 14:13

Im FURIOUS Angry
Just had the duty social worker on, I say duty because they cant be arsed to assign him one yet, bearing in mind this is now the fourth on in the space of 10 months!
Apparently on speaking to DS and Ex shit head, they cant see why he cant go back to live with dad?! REALLY!
Yesterday he had his chance to attend court to defend the prohibited steps order and failed to turn up, so the order is still inforce until further notice.
SS arent happy hes staying with my mum, "its not a permanent base for him" NO, I realise that, but neither is dads cause he kicks him out everythime he wants to piss off on holiday. Hated this SW, she kept speaking over me and gernerally pissed me off.
I tried to explain to her hes only staying short term so he can settle a little then when I feel hes ready we can have him moved schools etc, I said at the moment a house move the fact his dad kicked him out and a school move would just be too much. Course he denied kicking him out, Ive got the email to prove it.......
Shes speaking to her manager who I dealt with last time and coming back to me tomorrow.

Furious doesnt cut it, surely kids live with their grandparents up and down the country and it doesnt cause an issue?

OP posts:
whattodoforthebest2 · 01/10/2014 21:47

Hi OP

Would it be possible to arrange a meeting between you, your parents and the SW, where you can explain that he's badly treated at his dad's (if that's true?) and that your mum is happy to have him stay with them for a while so that he can have some stability while you look at the school situation and try and find somewhere nearer for him? Tell them that the emotional turmoil where his Dad is concerned is damaging him and that he needs to be somewhere calm.

I know this is easier said than done when they seem to be trying to palm you off, but keep on their case - it's their job to make sure you and he and your other DC are safe.

wanderingwilma · 01/10/2014 22:42

That's what I'm going to suggest, school are 100% behind me. A change of school is just not good for him yet, it's too much. He needs to settle an calm, away from both me and dad, neutral ground where there's no pressure.
I have the PSO and as long as that's in force he's going no where. There is no way on this earth I am picking up the shit like I have for the passed few weeks. If dad wants him back he will show up in court for the hearing.
This stops here and now. This little boy needs love, stability and routine, he can't get that with dad. Hell will freeze over before he lives with him,I'm not having him poisoned anymore.

OP posts:
whattodoforthebest2 · 02/10/2014 08:30

Well done - you sound much more focussed now. I know it's really hard dealing with it all on your own, but stay strong and keep that fighting attitude - it'll pay off in the end and your DS will benefit from that resilience.

Thanks
wanderingwilma · 02/10/2014 13:11

I definitely am!
School have been on today, I asked if he was better, worse or just the same... He's better! So much better. Apart from chewing gum in class Confused!

OP posts:
whattodoforthebest2 · 02/10/2014 22:20

That's really good news - hopefully school can build on it and that'll help his self-esteem etc. They'll have to pick their battles tho'. I really hope this is the start of a new chapter for him (and you).

SkaterGrrrrl · 02/11/2014 19:57

How are you getting on, Wilma? x

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