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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

Son off the rails making me/oh I'll

93 replies

canttakeberries · 02/04/2024 15:50

Our dd age 21 completely off the rails for years. Making us ill especially me.
Every boundary she has stepped or dived into.
We are a loving normal working family but she just isn't getting her life together.
So many things to say but it has all magnified as my father died last week and our dd going usual out with mates drinking,drugs, vandalism and just has broken my heart as thought it would make her step up and be supportive but she has been terrible this week. I am shocked at how selfish she has become and has been for along time. I feel davastated.
Has anyone asked their child to leave home? I don't want to do this but nothing is changing no matter what we do!
We have done so much to try and help her but she says she has mental health issues and this is reason.
We have paid for counselling, you name it we have done it but don't know how to help her anymore. She falls about from alcohol, incontinent from taking too much ket previously,
Arguing when out with people. Feels no one understands her. Does not help us at home. Only time when she wants cash or a lift. I thought she would have grown out of this by now.
Has damaged lots of our stuff by being careless. House is a wreck. I could go on and on. I love her but so worried that she is going to end up dead, hurting someone else or in prison. We have normal values like not stealing etc and she has done this too. So many things to worry about.
She seemed to always end up with friends who have problems which she then has too.
Any similar stories?

OP posts:
canttakeberries · 03/04/2024 09:58

It's hard re age as I can't go in doctor with her and she doesn't make appointment.
And drug and alcohol team I contacted and said I would drop her, or come in meeting or wait outside whatever she wanted but first she was keen but then said she didn't need.

OP posts:
MissyB1 · 03/04/2024 10:16

Everyone (with best of intentions I’m sure) suggesting that OP gets her dd assessed by different specialists or gets her a diagnosis for this that or the other. Her dd is way beyond the age where OP can do any of that for her! OP cannot dictate what medical care or interventions her dd gets. The dd needs to voluntarily engage with HCPs or services, she has so far refused to do that.

OP sadly you are going to have to give her an ultimatum and stick to it. She either seeks help and treatment, ceases her destructive behaviour, or she has to move out.

canttakeberries · 03/04/2024 11:11

Just thanking you all for support
You have given me in writing advice to me. It has helped.

OP posts:
Imgoingtobefree · 03/04/2024 11:33

This must be so awful for you and your family.

Sometimes we don’t get the parents we deserve, and sometimes as parents we don’t get the children we deserve. Life can be very unfair.

I think you have two distinct problems that need to be tackled separately.

How to deal with your DDs behaviour.

How to reconcile yourself to loving her and accepting that you can’t do anything for her and keep her safe.

For the second problem I’d suggest you and DH seek support from organisations that support parents of drug/alcoholic dependant children.

Id also suggest that you and Dh seek therapy to learn how to love her from a distance and how to cope with the worry that she will come to harm.

Then when you feel you are able to deal with this, you try and tackle the first problem ie how to deal with her behaviour.

I believe it is sometimes recommended by experts that removing parental support is better for the child in the long run. Perhaps if you are told this by a professional it will help you do what you know you must do - which is ask her to leave.

You could then give her notice - 6 weeks/two months whatever feels right to you.

At the same time, research the support she can expect to get if she is homeless/jobless/addict. Perhaps even contact these organisations now to get her on waiting lists for support etc.

Give her the list of organisations/charities you have found for her, (or even go with her to these people). Even if she refuses all help and does nothing, you will know what support is out there ie she won’t end up sleeping on the streets if she presents herself to get emergency accommodation. If you know how the welfare system runs you will feel more in control of what happens to her, and it may help to ease your mind.

Finally, if you feel up to it. You could implement strict rules and consequences while she is on her notice period. This is really a tactic to make her last few weeks more uncomfortable, so she is more likely to leave.

You and your OH are on a very, very hard road. You have reached a turning and your head is telling you she must leave because you have exhausted all avenues of help, and your own physical and emotional health can take no more.

But your heart won’t let you abandon her. Our children remain forever in our hearts as something valuable and precious that we must protect at all costs.

Your head needs to tell your heart what must be done.

Seek what professional help you can for yourself first. Then tell her to leave.

LynetteScavo · 03/04/2024 13:59

At 21 telling her it's time for her to move out isn't tough love, it's supporting her to make her way in the world, even if the starting point is a homeless shelter.

Even if she did have ADHD and medication would help, and she agreed to seek a diagnosis- it could be years before she was actually assessed and diagnosed on the NHS.

whichwayisup · 03/04/2024 14:23

Sorry this is happening.

Why does your daughter say she is acting like this. What does your daughter say it's all about.

BeagleMum2024 · 03/04/2024 14:46

Has your DD experienced any trauma that you know of? Can you ask her if anything has happened to her? Secondly, is she neurodiverse?

northernlight20 · 03/04/2024 15:09

a relative of mine is like this and it all came out that she was sexually abused as a child by one of the neighbours, so i do agree with others, theres definitely something underlying this

canttakeberries · 03/04/2024 15:44

northernlight20 · 03/04/2024 15:09

a relative of mine is like this and it all came out that she was sexually abused as a child by one of the neighbours, so i do agree with others, theres definitely something underlying this

Bad Bullying school years.
She would say if a relative had done something and this definitely didn't happen. She is very mouthy and verbal so would tell us about something like this. She knows our views are strong on this sort of thing and we would support her completely/involve police. Whatever she needed.
Problems not getting on with peers then mixing with wrong group.
Trying to fit in but with wrong people.
Some bad relationships.
Drugs mega problems previously.
Alcohol loads now.
Can't sleep.

OP posts:
northernlight20 · 03/04/2024 15:51

canttakeberries · 03/04/2024 15:44

Bad Bullying school years.
She would say if a relative had done something and this definitely didn't happen. She is very mouthy and verbal so would tell us about something like this. She knows our views are strong on this sort of thing and we would support her completely/involve police. Whatever she needed.
Problems not getting on with peers then mixing with wrong group.
Trying to fit in but with wrong people.
Some bad relationships.
Drugs mega problems previously.
Alcohol loads now.
Can't sleep.

i do feel for you and hope you find a solution soon, hugs xx

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 03/04/2024 16:02

I'm really sorry to read your posts, OP, you sound absolutely at the end of your tether.

I really think that you've physically done all that you can and whilst you're 'waiting in the wings' ready to prop your daughter up, she knows that she can carry on as she has a backstop in her Mum. She's behaving so badly, you lost your Dad last week and where is her compassion?

Regardless of whether she can afford a house or flat or not, you can't afford to let her bring you to the point of despair where you won't be able to function yourself anymore. You have other children who must also be going through it, watching their sister treat you like this and being equally unable to help/bring it to a close. I think for everybody's sake - yours, your other children's and your daughter's, you will need to call a halt to this and let your daughter rise or fall on her own. She needs to leave your home.

We had different issues in our family but in the end the solution was also, can come home if you toe the line and you'll always have food and shelter but that is it.

Do you have support to help you draw a line in the sand for your daughter, OP? I don't imagine that you could do this on your own, nobody could, you need somebody to validate you and hold you steady. Flowers

canttakeberries · 03/04/2024 17:28

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 03/04/2024 16:02

I'm really sorry to read your posts, OP, you sound absolutely at the end of your tether.

I really think that you've physically done all that you can and whilst you're 'waiting in the wings' ready to prop your daughter up, she knows that she can carry on as she has a backstop in her Mum. She's behaving so badly, you lost your Dad last week and where is her compassion?

Regardless of whether she can afford a house or flat or not, you can't afford to let her bring you to the point of despair where you won't be able to function yourself anymore. You have other children who must also be going through it, watching their sister treat you like this and being equally unable to help/bring it to a close. I think for everybody's sake - yours, your other children's and your daughter's, you will need to call a halt to this and let your daughter rise or fall on her own. She needs to leave your home.

We had different issues in our family but in the end the solution was also, can come home if you toe the line and you'll always have food and shelter but that is it.

Do you have support to help you draw a line in the sand for your daughter, OP? I don't imagine that you could do this on your own, nobody could, you need somebody to validate you and hold you steady. Flowers

Thankyou I am at end of tether.
She is someone I don't recognise or understand anymore.
She is very self absorbed.
I asked her to come and see mum today with me but she refused as with the latest boyfriend who was shouting and screaming in front of our house two weeks ago drunk. He apologised but not good.

OP posts:
whichwayisup · 03/04/2024 17:48

I think she has to move out. I can't see how anything can resolve while she's living with you. It sounds like a never ending hell for all of you. It sounds a lot deeper than teenage bullying etc. but at this stage you can't fix anything, she has to do it herself. If she's alcohol dependent and drug dependent nothing will get better till she seeks help. I think it will actually be harder for you than for her. She needs to seek help herself. You need to get help, you need supporting.

Quitelikeit · 01/11/2024 03:57

@canttakeberries

How is your DD getting on now?

Heartbrokenshattered · 19/01/2025 20:51

Hi OP, just checking in with you - how are things with your DD? Any improvements? I ask as I am in the same (actually worse) situation as you with my DS, and exactly know what it feels like being the mum.

Inlimboin50s · 02/10/2025 13:50

In also experiencing the same with my d's 18.
I'm hoping Op has found a way to move forward.

Secondstart1001 · 03/10/2025 07:12

@Inlimboin50s why not start a thread so you get some advice or someone to talk to ? It’s a lonely and scary place with this kind of teen behavior: I had it with my dd at 16, she was like a girl possessed and not my daughter. She hurt me a few times too. She’s ok
now At 19.

BunnyRuddington · 03/10/2025 07:24

Hi @Inlimboin50s you could try an @ to see if the OP is still around but as the PP says, you’re probably best just starting your own thread Flowers

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