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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I totally dislike my daughter (long and ranty)

443 replies

ohthatsokthen · 12/07/2014 10:51

DD now 21. Backstory she has been problematic since 13. Started with truancy, smoking etc. Then absconded from school and was found unconscious on the school field with an empty bottle of vodka. We then discovered she was bulimic and self harming. Many trips to the Drs later we were referred to PCAHMS for counselling. There are no known issues in our family, me and her dad still together, he has been a fantastic dad and we have both tried our best to support and encourage her. In her words "you are epic parents and I had a lovely childhood, I don't know why I do these things". Signed off from PCAHMS as deemed "helped". Over the next few years she went to college and got a part time job. She was then sent home from work as she was drunk, this continued and escalated until she was drinking all day and being abusive. I met with her work who offered to help - her words "all teenagers drink", took her to the drs "my mum is imagining it all, I am fine". To cut a long story short, the drinking escalated and she became threatening and violent and I snapped (probably not the best thing to do) and threw her out. We had a number of police visits due to threats and her trying to kick the door in. Police told me I was a victim of dv. She found a room, we paid the rent and deposit for 6 months. She got thrown out from that room because she kicked off and started smashing the place up. At this point I cut contact as she was making me ill with the stress. She moved in with her boyfriend, and his junkie father and moved onto drugs (speed, crack), got raped by her drug dealer. I can't even talk about that. She moved into a nice room, to get away and we paid the deposit. All this time still drinking but miraculously because of her manager she clung on to her job. She was then given notice on her room as the ll was getting married so she went off on a rare one and her threw her out that night. In desperation, the next day I found her a bedsit albeit in a halfway house type place, paid the deposit and the rent. She is still there. 5 months ago she quit drinking, we were so proud of her. I told her that she needed to get help as she obviously has issues (she says she wants to feel incredible all the time and can't bear the mundane day to day life). It transpires that although she isn't drinking the drug use has escalated, to the point she owes dealers. She came round last night and was vile, screaming and shouting at me. Told me all of this was her fault, she hated her life, we should take her back home and she would stop. I forced her to take the bedsit, if I hadn't she wouldn't be doing drugs. She hates her job, nobody has offered her a promotion and she's been there 3 years. I was very calm and told her, nobody had done this to her but herself and I wasn't going to discuss it anymore as she never listened (we asked her to attend Narcotics anonymous and the drs - she won't because they tell her things she doesn't want to hear). She was hateful, vicious and mean. I have got to the point where I totally dislike her and my husband says he despises her and can't be in her company. Sometimes I wish she was dead so that we didn't have to live like this and she wasn't suffering anymore. dh retires next year and we are going to sell up and move away (plan was to buy a house with annexe for dd if she got clean but that is never going to happen). All we wanted for her was to be happy, and either do uni/travel/or a job she liked. Whilst we are not perfect parents (who is) we have always encouraged and supported her and tried to do what we think is best. I am now at the point where I think - I've done everything I can, you are an adult and its up to you. I think this stems from growing up with both parents as alcoholics. I know she is a tortured soul but I can't help someone who refuses to take responsibility and help herself. Sorry for the essay, rant over - just wanted to get it off my chest!!! Thanks if you managed to read to the end

OP posts:
ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 21:14

paloma unless she seeks/accepts help there can be no relationship once we move. I am not going to ruin my life over this.

OP posts:
ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 21:15

knee have you experienced anything like this?

OP posts:
Paloma12 · 13/07/2014 21:16

Ok, ok, cut her off then. But I agree with the other posters - don't know why you posted. You just seem to want a black and white "yes, you are 100 per cent right" answer. You've had a few of those, so maybe just cut her off and move, as you say.

ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 21:17

I didn't ask for any opinions I just used an anonymous forum to get it off my chest. But I have made a personal contact going through the same so hopefully we can support each other moving forward.

OP posts:
Paloma12 · 13/07/2014 21:19

I wish you the best of luck. Hope it all works out for you and your daughter.

ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 21:20

thanks paloma I am sorry if I sounded angry but its been 8 years of going round in circles with no improvement.

OP posts:
ashtrayheart · 13/07/2014 21:22

I had to refuse to have my dd home to get any help and she was still a child then! Op's daughter is an adult and she is at the end of her tether. I don't think she was looking for an answer by posting here, she said herself she needed to let off steam. Unless you have been in her position you just won't get it.

ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 21:23

Thanks ashtray

OP posts:
doziedoozie · 13/07/2014 21:24

I would say my DCs weren't 'grown up' until they reached 30, they were still maturing until then.

So I wouldn't write your DD off.

Paloma12 · 13/07/2014 21:24

Don't lose hope. Seriously, I had major problems in my teens. Thankfully not drugs, but drink and trouble. Psychiatrists, doctors, name it. Parents on brink of nervous breakdown. I'm a total square now, 20 odd years on.

ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 21:24

There is no answer but I thought this was an anonymous place where I could vent as dh is not good at coping with it.

OP posts:
ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 21:26

Paloma glad you are ok now x but sadly I know dd won't be. And before I get flamed she is such a tortured soul, I know she is not destined for a long stay on this earth and it makes me sad.

OP posts:
Bruins · 13/07/2014 21:40

OP, does your daughter care for you at all do you think?

Mrscaindingle · 13/07/2014 21:42

I would also echo what others have said that unless you have been through it you cannot appreciate the heartbreak involved to get to the stage where you are prepared to walk away.

I cannot speak from personal experience but as a mental health nurse I've seen too many families completely burned out by years of responding to emergencies and putting out fires ( figuratively speaking)

When your children are small you cannot conceive of ever being able to leave your child to deal with issues like addiction, mental illness and homelessness and I include myself in this. However having seen the reality for many families I can say that I am continually amazed at what people are prepared to put up with to support their nearest and dearest.

Op if you are at the end of your tether then you are at the end and at least you know you have given your all. You have my deepest sympathies as I have young children and can only hope they do not develop serious mental illness having seen what it can do to individuals and their families.

Thanks
ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 21:42

bruins I think she does, it is my bd next week and she has just texted me stressing about a gift. I have said just get me a card and write a hearfelt message and I would be happy with that. She does care which makes it harder, in her words "your are a legend and an epic mum" I am not I am just a normal human being.

OP posts:
ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 21:44

thank you mrs a very eloquent summing up of mine and others' situation x

OP posts:
ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 21:48

mrs she was the most adorable cuddly little girl, its so sad to see the shell of a person she is now. I don't know why this happened and neither does she (we have discussed it)

OP posts:
QueenHaakonVII · 13/07/2014 21:55

OP It's such a sad situation but I think you are right to move away. Give her your mobile number and an email address and, maybe, you could send her a little money or send her a card from time to time. Fingers crossed she may turn around - she is still young and you hear of some amazing recoveries.

After 8 years I think you have to do the right thing for you and your husband.

I hope the next year passes quickly and without incident and that everything works out. Thanks

A lot of posters are giving the impression that mental health illnesses always have an emotional cause. Confused Sad

ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 21:56

thank you queen xx

OP posts:
Bruins · 13/07/2014 22:02

OP, this must make it even worse for you.

My son feels nothing for us or his sister, never has, and I gradually learnt to accept this, but your situation is a whole different ball game.

I cannot think how you have coped.

If I was to describe the way my son lived with us I think that most posters would be horrified. People with a normal sort of life simply cannot understand.
I am very thankful that I am the sort of person that knows when to call it a day. I think we do sound alike, I think you are a survivor too.

ohthatsokthen · 13/07/2014 22:04

oh bruins I am sorry for you. Yes I think it is healthy to know when to call it quits x

OP posts:
Mrscaindingle · 13/07/2014 22:30

ohthat Sad

areyoumymother · 13/07/2014 22:57

One question OP. Does your DD know what you're planning to do?

Iownafourinchporsche · 13/07/2014 23:04

Of she was great up to 13 and then completely changed, I wonder what happened? Surely she would have had some MH issues before 13, if she has them now? I wonder what has driven her to addiction. I wonder what she would say if she was posting on MN? Would your stories match?

winkywinkola · 14/07/2014 00:21

Is there nothing that happened in her early teens? Beyond the normal trauma of teenage- hood, I mean.

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