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Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

I lost it with my Autistic teen

7 replies

Whatplanetam1on · 15/06/2025 11:13

That's it really, at the back end of an awful week with their Austic sibling, younger one in hospital and my youngest daughter at a football championship 300 miles away and I needing to drive up and collect her after. In the middle of GCSE's and although my divorce from my abusive ex was completed just 2 months ago, the financial settlement hasn't been agreed so have a court date for September. I used the c word and b word I simply asked him over a period of 3 hrs not now your brother is sick- he aspired due to change in his liquid meds and so needed chest compressions I usually do them as part of his physio but he was struggling hence going to hospital.

The older one is good, he helps and has taken on a lot but he will follow me around demanding stuff even if I try and remain calm I said we will speak later no you cannot stay out late, no I do not have the money for those trainers, ask your dad - dad gives you money. It spiralled and I shouted.

Awful awful on my part. He messaged my sister and I called her and broke down, she's on her way to stay the night to help, also both my daughters counsellors - one self harmed when their dad walked out - called me and had a chat with `DS and myself.

After I calmed down I called all the children and sat down and apologised told them I loved them all and was very proud of them all and that I was totally out of order for using that language, I told my son I was deseperately sorry, I explained I am seeing out help I have a psychiatric appointment next week that I have managed to fund myself, I just feel so ashamed, exhausted and embarrassed. I am seeing a counsellor and have psychiatric support due to anxiety and depression as a result of my abusive ex but I also am waiting for NHS pathway for ADHD and ASD myself, 3 out of 4 of my children have both, so I am trying so hard, I feel disgusted with myself. Their dad sees them once a month for a few hours on a Saturday and lives an hour away. The court case is due to him refusing to pay support while I try and manage the health needs of the youngest who is registered disabled.
What have other parents done when they've lost it - I just snapped. I asked for the Family Support Worker we had when he first left due to my daughters self harming, I asked them to come and help again but they said they have no concerns and that the children are thriving, the schools are giving the children mentors and counselling, I have a support network of friends and activities that they do I just don't know what happened - sorry I am rambling what or how do other parents just not shout, the most I swear is oh ffs under my breath and that will be my daughter aged 14 burning her breakfast when I have asked her for the 100th time not to cook her breakfast without letting me know.

OP posts:
Landlubber2019 · 15/06/2025 11:25

Just stop ..... take a breathe......

You are not perfect. You have apologised to the kids. You set boundaries, you asked your son to wait and he didn't. You ask your daughter to wait, she doesn't. You are fresh from divorce. You don't need to be everything to everyone. Forgive yourself and talk to your kids and give them a hug but explain when they are asked to do something why it's important they listen.

Good luck, you are reflecting to try to do better. Now forgive yourself and get a cuppa x

IberianBlackout · 15/06/2025 12:28

After what you’ve just described, frankly I think you’re doing amazing and you’re an outstanding mother.

I don’t tend to shout or anything (even worse I tend to keep it all bottled up) and one time not that long ago I just got up from dinner (after DD grilling me with demands for ages, starting from messages and then in person), came into the kitchen and smashed my plate down as hard as I could. And if I could afford to tear down the whole kitchen I probably would have.

Luckily DD was so caught up in her own ranting that she just thought I dropped it.

Silvertulips · 15/06/2025 12:33

We’ve all done it - we all have a limit and ASD is the worse - the constant rambling and demands.

Honestly, you need to forgive yourself it hard enough when the kids make you feel guilty - don’t do it to yourself as well.

gamerchick · 15/06/2025 12:42

Breathe OP. You're beating yourself up far too much. You've apologised. You don't need to do it again. You are human and it doesn't do kids any harm to see us snap on occasion. They're are the only beings who think we have an endless rope.

You've got a lot on your plate ATM and probably a bit burnt out.

I shouted at my ASD 18 yr old yesterday, I have not apologised either. It's the only way this particular thing will stick in his head before I do implode. I don't shout often but sometimes it's the only way he'll get the point before he causes more damage to something.

Treat yourself kindly.

FortyElephants · 15/06/2025 13:01

I've lost it with my DS before and I've only got one and neither of us are ND. Stop beating yourself up, you're human, you are under pressure, you apologised.

Branleuse · 15/06/2025 13:09

You are on the pathway for a diagnosis for yourself! Give yourself a break. You were in an extremely stressful situation.
I have asd and adhd too, and parenting my kids with the same diagnoses..... Lets just say that im not proud of the way i handled some stuff over the years, especially before i was diagnosed.
I can look back and recognise times where i was in my own meltdown.

You clearly need more support here.

Marei · 15/06/2025 20:59

I can relate to all messages, tonight my youngest and middle boy were playing up, boy has ADHD and loves drama! Sunday night is chill night and I have fibromyalgia so that's added stress, everything is so hard being a single parent 😞 just need a break 💔

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