12 year old girls

[FernieB]

I know this topic has been done to death but my twin DD's are driving me mad! They bicker over nothing, try to argue with me all the time and if they are asked to do anything, sit and stare at me blankly as though they don't understand what I'm saying. They ask for help with homework but won't listen to explanations (or else just tell me I'm wrong). I just feel as though if I knew what it was going to be like at this age I wouldn't have bothered having children.

Sorry for the rant, but I feel a bit calmer now.

Welcome to the club!
My DD's are 16, 11 and 10 and it is hell. I love them all so much but god do they drive me mad at times with their arguing and attitude.
I haven't got any magical advice for you but just wanted to let you know that you are not alone!

You are not alone believe me I have 3 girls 13, 12, 10 and all are completely bonkers 50 % and normal 50 %

Thank you - I don't know how you both cope with 3 girls - you are very brave.

I just don't get how everything is fine one minute and we're having a normal conversation and all of a sudden they start shrieking over nothing. We have had a bit of a bad week. One of them is having friendship issues which are causing her a lot of upset and everyone one else in the family a lot of stress/worry. I'm beginning to think 12 year old girls are naturally solitary animals (like pandas) and are not designed to live in packs!

I think you're living my life! Just returned from school pickup and 12 year old DD in filthy mood refusing to behave and wailing about having to wait in car while the other one has piano lesson.... i'm just waiting waiting for the arguments to start with her sister now we are home. The mood swings are bizarre and stressful for all of us - tiptoeing round them and then dealing with the fall out.... I came online to try and find good ideas for discipline as sometimes i just get fed up with horrible behaviour. However space and time to reflect has made me calmer. Im reading "get outta my life but first take me and Alex into town" (need to google author?)about the whys and wherefores of preteen and teenage behaviour.Particularly interesting bit about how girls are very confrontational... Maybe it would cheer you up to know that my otherwise lovely daughter after an argument recently left a note in the fridge that said "i hate you" - two days later i found one on the freezer that said "you're ruining my life" Thank god she didn't leave it in the ironing pile or id never have gotten it!! Hang in there.