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Parenting

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Difficult teen

43 replies

mini124 · 16/11/2024 17:33

I was wondering if anyone can share their experience or thoughts on difficult teens.

My daughter is 17, has these anger episodes when things don't go her way. I am raising her alone. Her dad has been working away for over 2 yrs.

She gets angry, has a attitude & it leads to me blowing up my fuse to the point I tell her to leave the situation. She is argumentative, never accepts faults or has empathy only when things go her way. We had a very heated argument, I threw her out of the house because she wouldn't let anything go. I suffer with mental health problems, is run down with running after her to eat, take medication & do basic chores around the house. She then got my mum involved who says insensitive things and adds fuel to the fire 🔥 then it impacts my relationship with her. I have made it clear to my mum to not get involved. Not give me parenting advice or make insensitive remarks without knowing how hard life is with a teen daughter.

I just started a new job after sacrificing so many years being a stay at home mum. Now it's impacting my job, life & mental well being.

I had planned to take her to London in December for 18th birthday with her boyfriend. All this started because she ordered a dress I paid for online, she tried it on & had a terrible attitude because it wasn't to her liking. After being sympathetic and asking if it's free return, she snapped at me badly. I then went to the kitchen and took it out the dishes. I just had enough because I have a difficult marriage on top of looking after her alone.

So sorry for waffling. I really love some support and advise on knowing how to move forwards.

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 16/11/2024 17:38

You took it out on the dishes - How? Washing them up or smashing them?

If you have poor MH then why is your husband still working away and not supporting you here?

Teenagers are meant to have an attitude, their brain is still developing and will be for a few years yet, they are hormonal bombs and snapping is fairly normal - You on the other hand are an adult who should be in control of your reactions are on medication to help you.

mini124 · 16/11/2024 18:37

I took it out on dishes because I got fed up of doing the washing up.

Yes, your right I should keep my temper under control but it's difficult when your under alot of stress. I don't discuss much with husband because it's useless. He's not been here over 2 and half years. We broke up for 6 months & back on talking terms. I've not had a easy life. I suffer with anxiety. I shared this situation with my counsellor, she said it's normal to lose control and snap at time's especially after so much frustration built up.

I accept that teens are not easy, but I won't accept back chat & disrespectful attitude. I have made it clear, if things don't change. She will have to move out when 18.

OP posts:
BeatriceAndLottie · 16/11/2024 20:09

mini124 · 16/11/2024 18:37

I took it out on dishes because I got fed up of doing the washing up.

Yes, your right I should keep my temper under control but it's difficult when your under alot of stress. I don't discuss much with husband because it's useless. He's not been here over 2 and half years. We broke up for 6 months & back on talking terms. I've not had a easy life. I suffer with anxiety. I shared this situation with my counsellor, she said it's normal to lose control and snap at time's especially after so much frustration built up.

I accept that teens are not easy, but I won't accept back chat & disrespectful attitude. I have made it clear, if things don't change. She will have to move out when 18.

By the sound of things your DD isn’t the only one with anger issues in the house. A grown adult smashing up dishes is beyond ridiculous OP. What an example to set for your DD.

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mini124 · 16/11/2024 20:10

Yea your right. I got to be the perfect parent !

OP posts:
mini124 · 16/11/2024 20:55

Anyone else to add to the criticism and judgment??? Plz feel free, that's what this forum is for Smile

OP posts:
howfartospar · 16/11/2024 20:59

Your DD is nearly an adult and needs to start acting like one. IMO

TTPDTS · 16/11/2024 21:02

It sounds like she's perhaps modelling what she sees from you - if you're smashing actual physical dishes because you're angry, you can't be shocked she's got no coping mechanisms for her emotions.

If when she gets angry you are escalating by "blowing a fuse" etc then how is she ever going to learn how to deal with arguments / emotions etc?

Tina159 · 16/11/2024 21:02

OP you need to be modelling the behaviour you want from her. She's learning how to deal with frustration and annoyance from you.

She didn't make you 'sacrifice' years being a SAHM, that was your choice.

You're taking her behaviour far too personally.

PotteryOne · 16/11/2024 21:08

Agree with everyone else. You can hardly expect her to be paradigm of reasonable and agreeable behaviour when you sound quite volatile yourself. Are you getting any help? Therapy or antidepressants or anything like that?

And please don’t lay on the ‘I gave up so much for you’. She doesn’t owe you for this. This was the choice you made as an adult.

Teenagers need just as much direction as toddlers to be honest, some a lot more than others depending on their cognitive maturity. Don’t forget that.

Heartbreakanddamage · 16/11/2024 21:10

mini124 · 16/11/2024 20:55

Anyone else to add to the criticism and judgment??? Plz feel free, that's what this forum is for Smile

@mini124

How do I send you a pm?

mini124 · 16/11/2024 21:17

Thank you for your advice. I know your absolutely right. So basically daughter has melt downs I have tried to manage calmly as possible. Normally I am quite cool and collected. I normally give space then discuss it. But she has a spoilt behaviour, tries to get her way, goes in moods & can be very unsympathetic and lacks understanding. I have tried to raise her as best as I can alone. I haven't had any support. For your information, regarding sacrificing years of being a stay at home mum was because hubby worked away. She was extremely difficult child to manage on my own that I couldn't manage a job.

I come from a delicate background, I have made sure she don't suffer in anyway like I had. I implemented a good level of boundaries & discipline. I invested a lot of time in education. She's a A star student in A levels & managed to achieve 9 A star GCSEs

My daughter which I believe is on the spectrum of ADHD who also suffered with an eating disorder. I did everything in my power to help her recover. I grew up without mum, was raised in a difficult culture until I left & ended up in care. Whilst caring for my daughter, I got my degree and so on because I wanted to be an example.

I lost my dad to cancer 5 yrs ago, cared for him for 6 months before he died & I separated from husband for personal reasons. It's no excuse for my temper, maybe I need help but I told my counsellor who I see each week. She told me that sometimes we snap when we have reached our limit. No it's not okay but i am human.

OP posts:
mini124 · 16/11/2024 21:20

Who sent that message "how do I send you a personal pm?"

OP posts:
Heartbreakanddamage · 16/11/2024 21:24

mini124 · 16/11/2024 21:20

Who sent that message "how do I send you a personal pm?"

It was me. Happy to chat as currently experiencing difficult teen situation.

StSwithinsDay · 16/11/2024 21:26

Has she ever been assessed?

mini124 · 16/11/2024 21:38

Thank you Heartbreak&damage.

I am not sure how u can message me privately?

OP posts:
Heartbreakanddamage · 16/11/2024 21:40

mini124 · 16/11/2024 21:38

Thank you Heartbreak&damage.

I am not sure how u can message me privately?

@mini124
i thought there used to be an option to do that but perhaps it’s not there anymore. 😥

mini124 · 16/11/2024 21:50

Yes she was assessed, was diagnosed with anxiety. She is very intelligent & knew she was being assessed by the eating disorder team so managed to give the opposite answers to questions. She had a difficult relationship with dad. She was exposed to a lot of anger from him. Hence why we started living separately. I put her before my marriage.

I love her with all my heart & would die for her. Her behaviour is quite pampered & can't accept when things don't go right. Our fall out was over a dress she ordered for 18th birthday. She had a dreadful attitude over it not fitting as nice as she thought it would. I explained she can get another dress . I asked if it was returnable for free. Unfortunately, she snapped at me. I am often a punch bag. I walked away quietly then just felt like life is just a never ending battle of finding peace. As I was putting pots away, I put them away in frustration as I had been to work all day & was unwell. I am also trying to organise a trip to London for her birthday with so many other things going on in my life.

I take antidepressant for other health issues but I have tried others and they me feel worse. I go to therapy each week.

I plan to address my anger issues, I will speak to daughter about the issues once she's has calmed down. My mum has spoilt her a lot maybe to compensate what she didn't do for me. I am open minded person. Her circumstances at the time she gave me up to my dad weren't right. I don't hold any grudges against her. But I don't think she's in a position to dish out parenting advice ! Yes I can be quite volatile when stressed, unappreciated & boundaries are crossed.

OP posts:
Slanketweather78 · 16/11/2024 21:51

I know it's easier said than done op but you have to find ways to keep your temper. And certainly don't threaten to throw your DD out. They need to feel loved and secure when they are at their most unlovable.

Teens can be infuriating as they just don't see the impact their behaviour is having on others like an adult would. They don't say sorry easily either. And that means you have to step back, don't get over-involved with things that she is perfectly able to handle at seventeen. Ignore the bad. Praise the good. Pick your battles and protect your own mental health eg pay the money for a dress in to her account in the first place, and let her sort it all out completely by herself, the returns and everything.

If she is not complying with taking medication, then let the doctor talk to her or someone at the prescribing clinic.

If she is not eating properly, keep a full fruit bowl and leave a bowl of healthy easily microwaveable food in the fridge like pasta with Bolognese sauce or a home made veggie casserole, or invest in an air fryer and buy frozen battered fish and air fry frozen chips and let her sort it out herself.

Just push all the responsibility back on to her and support from the sidelines. She's getting frustrated because you are still parenting from the top down. You need to try and change that to parenting alongside and say things like "I'll be interested to see what choices you make concerning X, y and z". And let her suffer the direct consequences if she gets it wrong. Only step in if you think she is in serious danger.

In order to separate from you and become an adult, she is going to reject you and your values for a while. It's perfectly normal teenage behaviour. It's a huge psychological and physical change going from a teen to an adult and they test you while it's happening to make sure you are their steady rock while going through this scary process. She needs to feel psychologically safe while she rattles a few cages, and makes a bit for independence; she needs you to hold steady.

You don't need to tolerate being walked over or spoken to disrespectfully, but you need to be able to model being calm, grounded and fair. Just walk away from any rude or angry talk.

Your teen is also dealing with your unhappy relationship with your DH and the tension in the home that that creates. She probably also feels some impacts from your own poor mental health. So it's good you are getting support for that. Be a bit selfish op. Build up your own resilience and take some time out for yourself. It's exhausting starting a new job. It can feel extremely lonely parenting a teen who is acting out and it sounds like you have zero support from your DH.

I'm through the difficult teen stage and it can be hellish so I sympathise. But I don't think it's a good idea to link Christmas or birthday treats to general behaviour. Those things happened anyway because teens need to feel loved and appreciated for who they are like anyone else. Even when they are being a complete pita.

So my suggestion would be to take her a mug of hot chocolate, apologise for your irritation and bad temper tonight, talk to her like an adult and explain that you are under pressure in your new job, and tell her that she is loved and wanted at home whatever happens between you and her dad, and that you are looking forward to celebrating her birthday in London. And that will model to her taking responsibility for poor behaviour, saying sorry, and trying to make things better, which she will in turn model back to you.

This difficult period doesn't last forever op, things will improve. But it will be a few years before you and your DD are out the other side so look after yourself in the meantime. It's a gruelling marathon and you need to take fuel stops along the way and do stuff that builds you up physically and mentally. Good luck 💐

Edited: just read your update regarding anxiety and eating issues so obviously she needs specialist help with that and above advice may not apply.

Rescue2024 · 16/11/2024 21:56

We were advised to use an approach called the cold iron.

there is no point engaging when someone is hot, full of rage or anger.
leave the situation, wait till it has passed and the environment feels normal again and then address what is acceptable.

its hard, so hard, I hear you and offer a big hug and a cup of tea.

mini124 · 16/11/2024 21:59

Wow I can't thank you enough for your support and advice. Everything you've said it absolutely correct. Sometimes I don't see things in the mist of anger.

I really appreciate how you've pointed out that they need love. You are the first person to speak with no judgment on here. You seem to have so much experience and understanding of teens. I am at fault too for sure & thank you again ❤️

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mini124 · 16/11/2024 22:01

That's thanks to Slanketweather & Rescue for the messages ❤️ and everyone else even though some comments were abit harsh but we are only human at the end of the day !!!

OP posts:
mini124 · 16/11/2024 22:03

I think they stopped the private messaging on here because there are predators that come on here to look for a piece of side chick Shock

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Rescue2024 · 16/11/2024 22:07

Our DD was very hard work. Not any more I want to add, she is 20 now and living a very independent and fulfilled life - for now!!

I very much struggled and yes, I made some poor decisions in the heat of the moment so my advice is for you to try and detach as much as possible during the heat of her madness - take on a teacher role rather than the role of someone who loves and hates her in equal measures!

I have a very healthy relationship with my daughter now although it is at arms length through her own choice and she was finally diagnosed with autism in her late (too late teens)

SleepPrettyDarling · 16/11/2024 22:09

mini124 · 16/11/2024 22:03

I think they stopped the private messaging on here because there are predators that come on here to look for a piece of side chick Shock

You can still direct message if you click on the three dots beside someone’s name

mini124 · 16/11/2024 22:17

Rescue,

I think you've done amazing to cope as well as you had. Sure, we all make mistakes. I am currently making them now. I know this will shock but I am a teacher, I deal with students who come from delicate circumstances. I am so compassionate & understanding towards them & very resilient to any challenging behaviour using positive reinforcement. Unfortunately I am not getting it right with teen daughter though.

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