Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Teenage Daughter with bad attitude

45 replies

Str3bor · 05/12/2023 15:33

I know everyone says its normal and that their hormones are all over the place but I just don't know how to deal with my 14 year old DD's bad attitude.

She is just rude to everyone in the house, has lost all her manners, shouts at everyone who dares speak to her shouting shut up really loudly to them.

She hates school which I get is normal but she demands that I pick her up every day, once a week she has to get public transport home from school which takes her an hour but she will text me non stop all day about it so I usually mute her. On the days I take her and pick her up I don't get a single thanks from her. Ask her how her day was she just grunts and then puts in her air pods and wont talk.

She has to do work experience towards the end of the year and point blank says she's not doing it, I despair with her.

She makes plans most weekends to see her friends but expects me to drop her off and pick her up which is fine as her friends don't live on a direct public transport route but she doesn't ask me, she makes plans and then tells me and has a cob on if I cant drop her off at the times she has planned.

How do I deal with her? I love her but I really dislike her right now, I cant even bare to be around her, her constant scowl just drives me mad.

I'm worried that she wont change and this is not a phase, she used to be such a lovely child who did as she was told, now its like watching kevin and perry!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
KJKB · 08/12/2023 09:29

I'd be trying to have a few conversations to work out if other things are going on in her life, things that might be making her anxious & result in her lashing out at those closest to her. Yes, hormones play a part, but I would be concerned that there was such an extreme and sudden change to my child's behaviour & want to know what might be causing that & how I can support it. How are things in her friendship group, how are others treating her at school, how is she coping with lessons, is she stressed because she's approaching GCSE stage and the pressure is too much, is she worried about work experience & unsure of how to apply/where to go/how she would cope, does she have anxiety surrounding travel or being around people...

You need to look like you really want to understand & support her... but right now she'll be picking up on your "I don't want to be around her" vibes. Until you know the reason behind the behaviour, you wont be able to work out the appropriate responses & punishments will do little good.

Yummers8 · 08/12/2023 10:08

Quietly withdraw cooperation until she can be civil.
No need for any further discussion or unpleasantness.
Apologies for my bluntness but you have made a rod for your own back here.
Things will get better, good luck.

1mabon · 08/12/2023 18:26

Yur are enabing her behavior by not challenging her and taking measures so that she understands that such behavior has its consequences, don't threaten, carry it out otherwise yu will have even less authority.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

NoThanksymm · 08/12/2023 20:06

Woahhhhhh.

you get your are enabling this kids behaviour??

can’t be nice to humans? No weekend friends.

don’t appreciate the pick up from school? Oh look. You’re taking public transport now.

sit here down and talk. Set some boundaries!!

violetsky19 · 08/12/2023 21:33

Consequences & boundaries.
Although, usually this is my 16 year old son’s profile & got progressively worse from around the age of 13… I think some of this behaviour is down to age/school/friends/online gaming etc… but he’s also diagnosed with ADHD & medicated.
When he refuses to take his medication he reverts back to that behaviour.
Flies off the handle over absolutely nothing, screams, shouts, breaks things, demands I drop off & collect him from various places, lazy, refuses to stay on the train for one extra stop to save me having to go so far to collect him, no thanks from him ever, just entitled & just all round vile.
Yet refuses to see that the medication helps him. Different child when he takes it!

Ilovesmesomefriedchicken · 09/12/2023 11:50

I know it feels very frustrating & upsetting as a mother, that your little girl seems to have completely changed, it feels like we as mothers are unappreciated, used, disrespected & cast aside.

But im going to be completely honestly with you, she needs you now more than ever.

She needs you to understand that biologically she really has very little control over her attitude/emotions etc at the moment.
It's partly hormonal changes, partly societal/social stressors, and a huge part is literal brain function.
Their brains physically dont work the same as ours do yet, the parts of the brain that handle rational thinking etc, arent active at this time.
That combined with the massive hormonal fluctuations make life extremely difficult for girls at this age.
Trust me when I say, she is not enjoying this anymore than you are, its horrible and confusing for her too.
But you should be more worried if she didn't act like this at the moment, it's because she feels safe with you that she can be her true current self. If she were still being a perfect angel, that would most likely be because she didn't feel safe with you and had to learn people pleasing as a coping mechanism, like a lot of us did back then. That causes life long trauma & relationship issues.

So although it's horrid for you both, it's normal & a good sign that you are her safe place, and it wont last for ever, I promise.

It's hard for me to explain it all completely, but there are a few books I can sign post you to At the end of this comment.

She just really needs you, to be patient with her, to understand that she has little control over her emotions, she needs you to love her unconditionally & help her through this very difficult stage just by knowing you'll always be there for he, you are her safe place & you'll always love & support her.

When you feel frustrated & unappreciated, or rejected etc by her, try to take deep breaths and remind yourself it's not your fault, its not her fault, it is completely normal & healthy for this stage, and try not to react negatively to her. Infact try to react as lovingly and supportive as you can, or give her space if she asks for it.

Find yourself a confidante that you can vent to & talk to when it's becoming overwhelming for yourself. Preferably somenody else whos survived this phase & can confirm yes it sucks but also normal & will pass, It helps to talk it out.

Treat yourself to anything that cheers you up too! Look after your emotional wellbeing so you can look after your daughters.

In regards to needing lifts etc, also try to remember what it was like for yourself back then.
Being a teenager is so hard! School is rough, they are constantly being given mixed msgs, being told to grow up & act like an adult, whilst at the same time having to stick to a bunch of rules and having no independence in terms of how they spend most of their time every day. Plus not having a driving license or their own income to spend on getting themselves around etc.. She also has to try spend her free time doing things she likes (seeing friends) because literally all week she's stuck in school, which really sucks..

Learning everytjing about life, literally everything from all the educational stuff, but also about friendships, relationships, finances, technology, social media. Then trying to figure out who you are and where you fit into all of this, then add in first loves etc.. My god its a difficult time for teens! Even more so girls with the hormonal stuff and extra societal pressures of beauty standards/fashion/trends etc.. They have to learn so much about everything whilst having only parts of their brains active and hormonal spikes and all that whilst their bodies are still growing!

It really is all about trying your hardest to understand what it's like for her, empathy, being patient, being loving, giving space when needed.

Try planning some 1 on 1 time doing something together that she enjoys, she might not show appreciatishenow but definitely will in the future.

The more you support her the easier it will be when she comes out the other side of this. She will look back and say 'my god, I was awful, but my mum loved me and stuck by me and now we have an amazing mother daughrer relationship forever'.

The best thing for you and her is to persevere, you give her support, you find support for yourself, and in no time you'll both be looking back on this time with relief and even some laughter. When you truly understand what is going on physiologically it makes it sooooo much easier to deal with.

I'm not saying you do or will do this, but some parents do, the worst things you can do are shout, scream, take away things she's enjoys, ground her/take away what little control she has over her life & body or reject her or throw her out of the house.
These things will not only ruin your relationship with her long term, they'll also more than likely lead to long term relationship issues in general, as well as mental health struggles and a miserable life for her. You are the most important person in her life, you can make or break her.

You candetermine through this, it's so worth it in the end! Xx

These books are perfect for you, especially the first one;

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read.

Your child is not broken

The teenage brain.

Ilovesmesomefriedchicken · 09/12/2023 12:18

Thank goodness for your comment ❤️

I really hope the OP listens to your comment & mine. Because if she follows the advice of the other comments, that's just leading to life long emotional pain for her daughter, as it did to you & I & lots of others with parents who treated us like that. Understanding, love, support, empathy is the best way foreword. X

Ilovesmesomefriedchicken · 09/12/2023 12:27

This was meant to be a reply to another comment. Not sure what happened!

twistyizzy · 09/12/2023 12:37

@Ilovesmesomefriedchicken or maybe kids need boundaries and consequences? There is a middle ground whereby you acknowledge what they are going through but don't accept rude or aggressive behaviour. This is why there already so many rude and entitled kids in schools who are making life hell for teachers, because they don't have boundaries at home and parents constantly accept and excuse bad behaviour.
I accept adolescence is tough (I had a very tough adolescence) but it is no excuse for being vile to other people especially your parents.

Ilovesmesomefriedchicken · 09/12/2023 14:10

Your entitled to your own opinion, as am I. Everybody has their own definition of being vile as you put it. I stand by my comment. Best wishes.

Bobsyouraunty · 09/12/2023 14:24

I despair when I read posts like this. Please recognise the way you’re enabling this does her no favours. What it means is that other people have to suffer the misery of dealing with her poor behaviour too.

Shes not a toddler - she’s a teenager. She has a brain and knows the correct way to behave. But the reality is, is that she doesn’t have to behave correctly because you all put up with it.

There needs to be a laying down of law, boundaries and followed up consequences for her behaviour.

stichguru · 09/12/2023 14:29

Your daughter is totally right here. She behaves how she wants and gets what she wants so all is good in her world. If you want her to change, you have to change to make her change. Your daughter is awful because you don't bother to parent her properly. "On the days I take her and pick her up I don't get a single thanks from her" "days" - so your daughter doesn't thank you but she still gets lifts. She doesn't thank you because she doesn't need to.

"She makes plans and then tells me and has a cob on if I cant drop her off at the times she has planned." When she "has a cob on" that's a week with only lifts for school and medical appointments, and another week with lifts outside school and medical appointments needing a minimum of 24 hours notice.

She is disrespecting you because there are no consequences to not doing so. Step up and actually parent her.

thinkingaloud123 · 09/12/2023 18:03

Glad to see your post @Ilovesmesomefriedchicken . I see a lot of emotionally heightened and negative responses to very normal teenage struggles on here. It worries me that we're seeing a lot of talk about being rigid, punitive and sometimes downright unkind to teenagers. I am also concerned at some of the extreme language. Vile is bandied around a lot and it is a very strong word - I particularly hate to see it used about children.

Why are we surprised that children who get treated negatively respond negatively? OP describes a child who texts all day on the days when she has to get the bus. This sounds like an anxious child and it wouldn't be unusual post-covid for a child to be anxious about getting the bus. Is it rational? No. But there's an epidemic of anxiety amongst our teens. OP's response is to mute her. That's a strong move. OP is then angry when that child, doesn't respond to the OP's need for a chat when she gets in the car.

The child is already saying she doesn't want to do work experience yet no-one on this thread is really asking why. This is unusual and again, suggests fear/anxiety to me. Again, in the post-covid world there is an epidemic of anxiety around unfamiliar situations. Unfortunately, we took away the opportunity to gradually stretch the boundaries of our young people for nearly two years. It had an impact. It may be that with a good old chat about it her barriers and fears can be broken down, but trust has to be there for that to take place. It is unlikely that a child will open up to someone who openly can't bear to be around them and is demonstrating they are not open to listening.

It looks like a vicious cycle to me that a child is unlikely to be able to break if the only way to break it is to fall into line.

Although I liked watching Supernanny I think her agenda of control has gone too far - she set the rules and punished if they weren't followed. I don't believe it is sustainable in the long term - as children become young adults they need a say in their lives and to feel supported as they find their way.

Rafalito · 09/12/2023 18:11

Absolutely zero judgement from me on how any one chooses to parent their own child, but if you were interested in a different way - I have been through the exact same journey with my teenage son and the peace and parenting lady on Instagram and her podcasts have transformed our household. We don’t use punishments at all anymore and He’s back to being the most communicative, warm lovely person and we’re all much happier. Might be worth a look if you’re struggling. Hope you get it sorted - it’s such a worry. Big hug x

AllGoneToPott · 09/12/2023 18:28

This type of behaviour is often the onset of an anxiety disorder.
Is your daughter avoiding things she usually wouldn't ?
If so she needs help and understanding, not punishment.
It's not a good idea to take tech off teenagers, it's treating them like toddlers, it often doesn't work and creates a lot more problems.
Effective calm communication is much better.

twistyizzy · 09/12/2023 19:32

I believe that there is a middle ground here but I would direct you to read the current thread written by a teacher who went home distraught after dealing with kids who swear at her etc.
I work in post 16 education and there is a massive influx of kids who have never been told no, who can't function in the real world when anyone criticises them and who can't regulate their own behaviour because their parents constantly excuse poor behaviour. They bounce from job to job because they can't cope with being in an environment that isn't all about them.
Kids (including teenagers) need boundaries and yes there has been a massive spike in anxiety issues since Covid but I still maintain that there should be consequences for poor behaviour and rudeness.

IndigoLaFaye · 10/12/2023 07:01

I’m disabled and as a teen I was depressed, felt trapped, and was horrible to my mum (not my dad cos he was calm all the time). Mum didn’t handle it well, endlessly shouting, never tried to get it or work through it, just punished and the punishments didn’t make sense. It didn’t help. It just made me deceitful and I left as soon as I could (this wasn’t easy). All I actually wanted was mum to spend quality time with me, to recognise me as an individual, to be able to talk to her but I didn’t feel safe to do any of that because I knew she wouldn’t get it and just shout me down.

I recommend you read those books that the other poster listed and come at this with compassion. Of course there needs to be some consequences but don’t make them in the heat of the moment, and make them make sense. Natural consequences if you will. Pre-plan and sit down and lay it all out don’t keep changing the rules and adding more and more conditions. Open, honest and calm will win eventually.

I’ve moved back home now and mum and I have a good relationship - not perfect by any means but much better. As much as mum hates that I left, it taught me some very valuable life lessons, gave me confidence and made me see I’m not as incapable as I was being told. I think on some level it made mum realise that as well and she has mellowed a bit now. I can also control my emotions way better than when I was a raging hormone teenager. I have far more control over my life generally as well as I’m financially independent, I work, I have a car etc. Teens are in this twilight zone of a whole lot of expectations to be mature but none of the good bits of that. I remember feeling constantly backed into a corner so the only option is to fight, but the rules were never clear and they changed a lot so I’d never be able to win so i was further backed into a corner.

I hope that made sense. Good luck!

Reallyneedwine · 10/12/2023 14:06

I’m sorry but you clearly have no idea - I have 3 all bought up the same 2 delightful 1 awful and no amount of consequences has made any difference at all!

Bertiesmum3 · 10/12/2023 17:28

No more lifts, no WiFi and no pocket money until her attitude changes and she starts respecting everyone

Danni1970 · 28/06/2024 21:54

My daughter was a complete nightmare from age 13 to 17. Constant arguments daily. She moved out at 17 as it was affecting my mental health.once she moved out improvement instantly. She got her own place and we got on much better. Now she's 25 with my gorgeous grandson and we are close again. Teenage girls are a nightmare. I never got any of that with my son whose 2 yrs younger

New posts on this thread. Refresh page