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Parenting

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

I don't want to be a parent to my child anymore

335 replies

helpmepleasea · 17/01/2026 15:53

I don't know what to do with my 6 year old and I need some help

She's 6, about to turn 7. It's fairly obvious to anyone who meets her she's either autistic or has ADHD.

So the issues.
She's aggressive with me. She's trashed the house more times than I care to admit. She hits me, spits at me, pulls my hair, bites me. She speaks to me like I'm the most stupid person on the planet
No consequences work. She isn't motivated by anything.
She won't get rid of anything. We have baby toys from when she was 1 because she screams for hours if I consider getting rid of them. My house is full of shit for lack of a better word
She has no friends. The couple of friends she has have all drifted away because she's bossy, it's very much her way or no way. She also lashes out at them when she gets overwhelmed
She is never wrong. I can watch her smash a cup and she will tell me it wasn't me and she genuinely believes it

I'm chasing a diagnosis but it's a 6 year wait list and no I can't afford private
I'm broken. This is just the main couple of issues but any questions please ask and any advice please help

I'm a single mum. It's just us two. But I don't want to. I'm covered in bruises and bite marks and I honestly just give up

OP posts:
WhatEverBlowsYourHairBack · 17/01/2026 15:58

Video her and see your GP...show them...get a referral to CHAMS
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Ask your local health visitor.. turns to Family lives/ Young minds..

Dilemma4ever · 17/01/2026 15:58

I’m so sorry you’re struggling so much. How is she at school? Have you tried to get a diagnosis via the school?

helpmepleasea · 17/01/2026 16:08

School said she's fine. They have no issues. She's horrible and I don't care how horrible that sounds. I don't want to. I have bruises covered all up and down my arms and bite marks. She is not a nice person

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Overthebow · 17/01/2026 16:09

Have you spoken to the school about it and can they put support in place? They can do this without a diagnosis. Our primary school has a family support lead that helps my dd who is suspected ADHD and ASD.

Hotchocolateandmarsh · 17/01/2026 16:12

helpmepleasea · 17/01/2026 16:08

School said she's fine. They have no issues. She's horrible and I don't care how horrible that sounds. I don't want to. I have bruises covered all up and down my arms and bite marks. She is not a nice person

Some children esp girls mask at school. Reach out to your health visitor team and see what they suggest. Health visitors can advise and refer until your child is 18 they aren’t just for babies. They referred my child to a dietitian so I didn’t even have to go through the GP at age 6.

You need some support and help.

helpmepleasea · 17/01/2026 16:12

School said they cant refer her because they don't see anything. She's also massively behind in school. She still can't read or write properly. But school aren't really helping there. If I read to her or try to read to her she covers her ears and screams and if I ask her to read to me she throws it at me

She's halfway thru year 2 and still reading very basic phonics books. School said I have to try more with her. But honestly I don't know what else I can do. All the hardback books are hidden because she throws them at me

OP posts:
SilenceInside · 17/01/2026 16:16

If she’s massively behind then school should be referring on, as well as looking at support for her. It’s not ok to just say that you need to do more with her at home. Does the school say that she will sit and read with/to an adult?

helpmepleasea · 17/01/2026 16:17

School said at the last parents evening that they are doing all they can do at school but I need to be doing more. No I don't read with her anymore because I've got the scars. I can't give her a pen to practice writing because she either throws it at me or trys to stab me.
I know I sound like I don't care but I do, I've just given up

OP posts:
2026willbebetter · 17/01/2026 16:19

I’m sorry you’re in such a shit situation.

I would do a parental request for an ECHP and ring SS and tell them you need support, they will pass you to a family partner type support.

SilenceInside · 17/01/2026 16:23

@helpmepleasea I have an autistic child in primary school so I very much understand what you’re describing here. My DC would not read at home and is very resistant to writing. Honestly, it’s ok to stop trying to force something like this and to have a period of time where you stop having constant conflict. After school she may just need time and space to process the day, and I would be very low demand and see how that goes. You can search for more information about low demand parenting for autism, which you might find a helpful approach.

Ooodelally · 17/01/2026 16:24

You can refer yourself to children’s services (social workers) the school can help you with this if you explain you are at the ms of your tether. They will offer you an assessment and signpost you to relevant support.

Supertayto · 17/01/2026 16:27

Oh goodness. It sounds as though you are in a crisis point. My daughter sounds quite similar to parts of this and we are in the process of a private assessment, which I appreciate is a privileged position.

A few things we’ve tried that have helped (not solved by a long shot) the aggression:

  • run your home like an early years provider. Routine, low demand activities set up for the mornings and after school, timetable type charts. The concept of the devil making work for idle hands really resonates in our house.
  • limited choice and few words. Seriously, me shutting up really really helped. My daughter can’t process what I say when she is melting down and so repetitive instructions or trying to reason with her massively escalates the violent behaviour.
  • lots of physical activity. A trampoline really helped us.
  • limited screens. I find this one really hard, but when I manage it life is easier.

I really feel for you. It is horrendous when your own child is violent towards you and external support is so very limited. I don’t know where you’re based and if the rules are different, but it sounds as though the school are being ridiculous and if you have the energy to argue the point they could be doing far more. It doesn’t matter that they don’t see it and you can self refer through your GP (unless the rules vary by region which they very well might). I wish you the very best of luck and if we knew one another I would give you a huge hug and make you a roast dinner. Take care, OP.

LadyIrony · 17/01/2026 16:28

Have you looked at the ‘Right To Choose’ options in your area? I did the long wait for DD2 for her autism. With the adhd assessment for DD1 we might only wait a year. I think all waiting lists are getting longer though.

we didn’t have quite the same levels of autistic behaviour - DD2 tends to lock down rather than meltdown - but I did get lots of little punches when she was frustrated. Sneaky little jabs.

if she’s ‘fine’ at school then she’ll be full on masking there and one of your issues is that she’ll be taking out the day’s emotional toll on you. Transitions are difficult. I spent what felt like a full-time job strategising how to manage her through the days. It’s exhausting.

helpmepleasea · 17/01/2026 16:31

She's crying her eyes out because nobody wants to come out and play with her. She lashes out and she's bossy and the last playdate ended up with blood and tears. It sounds horrid but she is unlikeable and Im covered in bruises and cuts so I can see why kids and the parents don't want them around her. She's bored. Taking her out like that isn't an option. I used to take her for a drive to calm down but she won't get in the car. And she's started pulling my hair when we drive so that's not a good idea

OP posts:
SiberFox · 17/01/2026 16:32

I have nothing to suggest, just to say it sounds incredibly hard OP 😥

Terfedout · 17/01/2026 16:39

It's so hard being where you are. I had the same with the school as well. Wouldn't refer as they just thought my son was naughty. I was fortunate enough to (just) be able to afford a private assessment. Which made a huge difference. You've had some good advise on here in terms of parental referrals which are definitely worth trying. And keep on at the school. Keep escalating and go to the board of governors if you have to. I don't have much useful advise, but I just wanted to say that I hear you and feel for you x

Retailrookie · 17/01/2026 16:41

Can you go down the right to choose pathway for diagnosis? It's far quicker than way

Retailrookie · 17/01/2026 16:42

Also get this moved to the sen boards you will get more tailored advice there

Jugendstiel · 17/01/2026 16:50

You poor thing. That sounds like hell.

But it is interesting that school say she is okay there. She could be using all her energy to mask there and then exploding at you.

Please ignore this if I'm suggesting the obvious, and forgive the long post, but it took me years to work out how to parent SEN DS2, so maybe some tips will help. Some things I found helped, generally:

Bring a small non-sugary snack to school at pick up time and some water or milk. If she has low blood sugar after the school day, it might make her more grumpy. A bit of energy could help.

Create a really cosy area for her to unwind in when she gets home from school or any other stimulating activity. Could be a chair with lots of cushions and a weighted blanket (or any blanket), favourite cuddly toys, favourite books, favourite show playing quietly on TV or soft music she likes in the background. Just leave her there to decompress for an hour. No demands on her at all.

Avoid processed sugar and refined carbs - they might trigger meltdowns. Go for slower release foods that don't spike her sugar levels: wholemeal toast and peanut butter rather than white toast and jam. (I know how fussy AUDHD children are with food, so this may not be possible.)

Pick your battles. Forget 'normal' for other kids her age. You can waste so much time and energy trying to expect your SEN child to act like other children. She can't and won't. It really doesn't matter. Obviously it matters massively that she is attacking you, and that has to be stopped, but what sort of things are triggering these rages? Can you get rid of some of your expectations? Can you let her choose/decide some things that would help her feel more in control?

It doesn't matter if she wants the same food everyday, as long as it's reasonably healthy. Or the same clothes everyday as long as they fit and are clean and suitable for the weather. If she wants to keep toys from when she was younger, let her. (You might tuck them in storage and dispose of them when she's forgotten about them but don't tell her and don't have battles about them.)

One magic trick I was taught is to agree with how they feel, but not their behaviour. It is very time consuming but it beats a meltdown. So if there's a meltdown about getting dressed for school, you say, 'I know! Getting dressed can feel horrible. You really don't want to get dressed. Wouldn't it be nice to stay in PJs all day? But it's a schoolday, and at school, people have to wear school uniform. How about: you can wear PJs as soon as you get home tonight. And you can wear them all day on Saturday?

Weirdly, that often worked. If it didn't, you might need to take time working out what the actual problem is: E.g. I can see you are VERY upset at having to get dressed for school. Tell me what you hate most - is it putting on your knickers or your blouse? (Then go through each item of clothing and if that is okay then she puts it on.) You might find the label is prickling her and needs to be taken out of a blouse or that she finds socks very uncomfortable and needs supersoft ones. Once you work out a reason for the tantrum by breaking it down into stages and asking about each one, you might solve some of the triggers with her.

She cannot be allowed to attack you. But until you get some support, trying to prevent the build up of anger that leads to these attacks, and trying to identify what she needs to keep her calm, might help sometimes.

If she does attack you, go into another room and close the door. Say calmly through the door: I don't let people hurt me. If anyone tries to hurt me I won't be in the same room as them. If you want or need me, be nice to me. I am nice to you. I don't bite you. So don't bite me. When you feel calm, come and say sorry and then I will come out and we can make tea/watch TV and be nice to each other. Do this every time. Tell her you don't let people hurt you and leave the room, closing the door.

Peonyperfection · 17/01/2026 16:51

My only input is to say if she does have ASD or ADHD much of the behaviour may not be naughty’, it’s not deliberate, it’s not personal, she’s possibly in survival mode or just doesn’t understand. Look for support, you don’t need a diagnosis to join local Facebook groups (who may be able to help you through the assessment process or help from the council) or claim DLA. PDA is a type of Autism that you may want to read up on.

Jugendstiel · 17/01/2026 16:53

helpmepleasea · 17/01/2026 16:31

She's crying her eyes out because nobody wants to come out and play with her. She lashes out and she's bossy and the last playdate ended up with blood and tears. It sounds horrid but she is unlikeable and Im covered in bruises and cuts so I can see why kids and the parents don't want them around her. She's bored. Taking her out like that isn't an option. I used to take her for a drive to calm down but she won't get in the car. And she's started pulling my hair when we drive so that's not a good idea

Have you told her this? Have you said: People don't want to play because you hurt them. No one wants to get hurt. You need to practice being gentle and kind and friendly. Then people will love playing with you.

She needs to learn that behaviour has consequences and also that she can change her behaviour. She is not the problem, her behaviour is.

liamharha · 17/01/2026 16:54

helpmepleasea · 17/01/2026 15:53

I don't know what to do with my 6 year old and I need some help

She's 6, about to turn 7. It's fairly obvious to anyone who meets her she's either autistic or has ADHD.

So the issues.
She's aggressive with me. She's trashed the house more times than I care to admit. She hits me, spits at me, pulls my hair, bites me. She speaks to me like I'm the most stupid person on the planet
No consequences work. She isn't motivated by anything.
She won't get rid of anything. We have baby toys from when she was 1 because she screams for hours if I consider getting rid of them. My house is full of shit for lack of a better word
She has no friends. The couple of friends she has have all drifted away because she's bossy, it's very much her way or no way. She also lashes out at them when she gets overwhelmed
She is never wrong. I can watch her smash a cup and she will tell me it wasn't me and she genuinely believes it

I'm chasing a diagnosis but it's a 6 year wait list and no I can't afford private
I'm broken. This is just the main couple of issues but any questions please ask and any advice please help

I'm a single mum. It's just us two. But I don't want to. I'm covered in bruises and bite marks and I honestly just give up

Sounds exactly like my 7 year old she ASD we think with PDA profile she's awaiting ADHD assessment.
Mine was the same in school so she's now in special school which has been so much better for her .
All I can say op is you are not alone and sometimes it feels like a existence ,,we are constantly replacing things and repainting wall etc .
Getting ad DX and getting her some proper support in vital also do you have access to a EHAT from your local authority ? This will give you a family support officer who can do referrals and get you on the path for support for yourself and her .

blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 17/01/2026 16:55

This sounds just like my son, and they are exactly the same age. School also say they don't see anything, that's he's perfectly behaved (apart from one time when he got so angry he punched another boy.)
We think it's autism, have been on a waiting list for three years now.

Sorry can't help more, but you're not alone. My arms are covered in scars.

helpmepleasea · 17/01/2026 16:55

School is a battle. She hates it. She hates the uniform, she hates the routine.
I have told her that when you treat people the way you do nobody will want to play with you. You can't hurt your friends. If you feel overwhelmed or cross come to me.

However she genuinely believes she's not done it. She can have her hands on her friends hair and then tell me it wasn't her.

She's like a dictator. If she wants to play babies for examole and nobody else does she bursts into tears and tells me everyone is mean. Then she lashes out and I'm honestly just done.

OP posts:
helpmepleasea · 17/01/2026 16:56

@Jugendstielthank you. Very helpful suggestions. I did used to bring her a snack. Some fruit or crackers and water but I had to stop because she throws it at me and it's dangerous when I drive. She's got really aggressive in the car recently

OP posts: