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Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

Out of control 11 year old!

9 replies

Brunette88x · 07/01/2023 17:46

This is going to a long thread, I desperately need some advice. My son 11, for the past 3 years ish, has changed, I am at my wits end. He doesn’t see his dad his dad is a drug addict who has been in & out his life briefly, my husband brought him up since he was 2. Myself and my husband split a few years ago, & my husband no longer sees my son. I’m not sure if this is where the problems have come from, if it’s my parenting, or if there is something wrong with him.

He is constantly smashing possessions, tvs, phones, especially when he’s playing on his computer, he will loose & start to shout, scream & swear & smash things. If I ask him to come off the game he shouts, kicks off which results un us having a arguement he will then chuck things at me only easier hitting me repeatedly in the face with a cushion. He’s punched holes in walls also in anger. He tells lies, things like says stuff has happened at school; which hasn’t. Like trying to make himself sound better. Nothing is ever his fault, ever, he will never accept accountability for anything. He sometimes cries when we argue, he sometimes doesn’t, only more recently he just shows no empathy for hurting, upsetting me, just doesn’t seem to care.

another example earlier today I text him asking what his friend surname was, he text me back saying how should he know and told me to fuck off. I was absolutely gobsmacked. He’s getting detentions at school for bad behaviour, messing around, giving cheek being late etc. which he believe is unfair & he shouldn’t be given them!

He has always wanted for nothing, I have done my best for him, but I feel I am unable to cope with the constant fights, & aggression. I have another child 5, & im worried about her witnessing all this. Family members do not help! I have tried taking away possessions he doesn’t seem to care & I struggle to stick with keeping his possessions as he drives me nuts, following me around, causing trouble with his sister because he’s bored!

I just feel his anger is going worse & worse & the last thing I want is a angry boy turning into a angry child!

When he was in year 6 I contacted urban outreach, & a lady would visit him in school & visit us at home trying to teach him to identify his emotions, & how to control his anger. This worked well for awhile.

He refuses to get up for school most days, often making me late for work I work as a TA in a school, I’ve had to leave multiple jobs due to me being late or unable to go in because he refuses to go to school. He refuses to do any homework also. As far as I’m aware he is popular with peers & isn’t being bullied.

I can be nice as pie to him, & even that makes him mad with me.

Has anyone any advice.

OP posts:
Brunette88x · 07/01/2023 17:50

I realise I have made a few fair typos! But I type this in absolute tears!

sorry! 🙈🙈

OP posts:
bumpytrumpy · 07/01/2023 19:53

He sounds very troubled. Your household sounds pretty chaotic and difficult to live it.

I would gently suggest that he DOES see the difficulties his dad has brought to your lives. And he is angry about them (rightfully so). He needs structure and support to thrive regardless of his background. I would be reaching out to school, GP, anyone who will listen.

In the mean time, remove the phones and angry games, they're not doing him any good at all. Spend time with him. He won't know what he wants to do at first, or maybe even how to interact with you. But remove the option to hide in his tech and you might get somewhere. Take him somewhere he used to like when he was 7/8. Talk about happy memories and how you would like to move forward to make new ones. Find something positive to focus on - walk a neighbours dog every Sunday or go away in youth hostels with him able to choose the destination. You need to reconnect before he becomes a teenager and all this gets harder

bumpytrumpy · 07/01/2023 19:55

I've just re read that he has had TWO father figures leave him. That hurts. Especially for a boy. He needs help to understand it's not his fault.

Squiblet · 08/01/2023 22:29

There's a book that often gets recommended to parents in these situations: The Explosive Child by Ross Greene.

Not read it myself but I've seen other parents say it has helped them.

Avee15 · 13/10/2023 08:03

Sorry this is such a hard time for you. My son is 11 and giving me a lot trouble too!

I agree with bumpytrumpy here.

I am convinced that screens and video games are causing at least some of your problems, screens are almost always a bad idea I feel. I just finished reading a wonderful book called '28 day reset' by Victoria Dunckley which has step by step instructions about how to go screen free or at least cut down and I'm trying to implement no-screen into our life.

Also I feel if you can bring in a reliable male in his life who enjoyed spending sometime with him regularly, someone who will definitely not leave for example your father/brothers if any, or a friend. It's easier said than done I'm aware but worth the effort.
Another book I'd recommend is called Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph.

Sending you love and good wishes.

Darkcloud1 · 24/11/2023 21:24

Hi @Brunette88x how are things now for you and your son? I am going through the same thing with my 11 year old ds and I feel broken.

Divinespark · 24/11/2023 21:28

bumpytrumpy · 07/01/2023 19:53

He sounds very troubled. Your household sounds pretty chaotic and difficult to live it.

I would gently suggest that he DOES see the difficulties his dad has brought to your lives. And he is angry about them (rightfully so). He needs structure and support to thrive regardless of his background. I would be reaching out to school, GP, anyone who will listen.

In the mean time, remove the phones and angry games, they're not doing him any good at all. Spend time with him. He won't know what he wants to do at first, or maybe even how to interact with you. But remove the option to hide in his tech and you might get somewhere. Take him somewhere he used to like when he was 7/8. Talk about happy memories and how you would like to move forward to make new ones. Find something positive to focus on - walk a neighbours dog every Sunday or go away in youth hostels with him able to choose the destination. You need to reconnect before he becomes a teenager and all this gets harder

Your house hold doesn't sound chaotic, and it's not your fault. He has had 2 father figures leave but so did I and i never behaved like this. I hurt, and rebelled a bit but my house was not chaotic, and neither was our household, looking back it could have had more support to help with my emotions, but mum and other family members were great and we have great memories. Look into counselling, and if there are other underlining issues it will come out.

SwedishSchnauzer · 24/11/2023 21:45

Talking therapies, art therapy or whatever. He needs to start talking to a trained person asap.

Do you do anything nice together? A shared hobby?

Why does he struggle to get into school?

SwedishSchnauzer · 24/11/2023 21:48

What’s he playing online? If he’s playing online with others this can sometimes affect. Does he know everyone he plays?

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