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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

I really need some advice

10 replies

percysgirl · 02/01/2012 18:08

Can anyone help me? Please? I have a 16 yr old son who went out on NYE at 6pm with some friends on the understanding he was to be home by 1:30. I expected him to be a bit drunk but at 7:30 - only an hour and a half after he left home - absolutely paraletic (sorry about spelling). He was brought home by the dad of one of his friends who was concerned for his safety. Turns out he had half a bottle of 40% neat vodka and so my hubby and I (my son's step dad) took the decision to keep him indoors. I was then subjected to an absolute tirade of abuse from the 16 yr old (oh I was everything that night). My son insisted he didn't want to live here anymore and that I was the worst mother in the world. To cut a long story short - after 4 and a half hours of this and my son then telling me to eff off - I gave him the choice of either going to bed and sleeping it off or I would call the police. He told me to ring the police so I did. They came round and gave him a good talking to (apparently there's not much they can actually do). 2 days later and my son has still not apologised. He still thinks I was in the wrong in not letting him go back out (even though he was so drunk he couldn't stand up straight). I have spoken to his dad who took him back to his house last night for what I thought would be until he went back to school and who I hoped my son would listen to, but my son was brought back home this morning (I was out at the time). According to my ex-husband, my son has been told to be by 10 o'clock during the week but can do as he likes at the weekend. I have a 14 yr old daughter and a 4 yr old son to consider here as well. I just don't know where to turn and have spent the last hour or so in tears as I am at the stage where I don't actually want my eldest son coming home. Sorry this is so long but can anyone help me at all? Thanks

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Silence · 02/01/2012 19:35

Oh god this sounds bloody awful for you.
I think you ned to calmly talk to him again and talk about how disapointed you are with him.
and the gound rules need to be set now - if he cannot behanve with maturity then he doesnot get freedom.
SOrry you are going through this

GypsyMoth · 02/01/2012 19:42

Can he stay at his dads?

IssyPeach · 02/01/2012 22:05

You did absolutely the right thing keeping him in on NYE after he came home in that state (thank goodness he was brought home). You were then treated very cruelly and utterly unreasonably. I guess you realise that it was the drink (a hell of a lot of it) talking? How do you usually get on with this DS?

His pride is obviously very wounded, hence the defensive attitude now, but you're doing the right thing by setting boundaries. Your DS is a child, an older child, but a child. He has GCSEs this year? Or is in sixth form? Either way, the timing is crucial and he's got to get things together. School any help at all?

If your DS mostly lives with you, don't you set the rules re the weekends and weekdays? And you're right - your younger children are very important and nothing can be allowed to compromise their stability.

If it's any consolation, my DCs (actually two of them at various times) have reduced me to tears. When they decide to be unkind, god can they dish it out. You're not alone. I agree with Silence, wait a day or so, if you can, and talk and set the ground rules. Perhaps when he's sobered up a bit, or is generally calmer, he can actually work with you in negotiating them. My DH tells me that our kids lash out at me because they're very close to me - so I'm a sort of easy target. Doesn't really help but I think I see what he means.

Good luck and try to be hopeful - he is very young.

percysgirl · 03/01/2012 10:09

Thanks so much for your comments. I have spoken to DS's dad who was about as much use as a chocolate teapot. His only solution was for my DS to stay with his friend so that he can still go to school but I don't think that's such a great solution. I have tried talking to DS last night but he was still full of attitude - how my lovely hubby is putting up with all this I don't know. DS was trying to goad me into telling him to leave but I refused to make the decision. He stayed at his friend's house last night (I don't think grounding him at this stage would work) but when he comes home today I am going to tell him that he needs to stay in, sort his bedroom out (it's disgusting) and do any revision/homework that needs to be done. He's back to school tomorrow - and yes Issy, he has GCSE's this year. My new rule during the week is that he has to be home by 8 o'clock (I know that's early but I work in the evenings until 8 and he needs to be home before I get back). He's not going to like this but I don't know what else to do. Weekends he will be allowed in at 10 - apart from every other weekend when he sees his dad.
To be honest, I'm dreading him coming home from his friend's house - what sort of parent does that make me??? Am tired, stressed and very tearful and my little one keeps touching my cheek and asking me not to cry (only resulting in more tears!!)
I am going to try to talk to him again when he gets back. Thanks again everyone xx

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IssyPeach · 03/01/2012 10:41

Hi pg
Your lovely hubby is putting up with this because he loves you and the kids and knows that family life has as many downs as ups!
And, dreading DS coming home in these circumstances, means that you are a normal, human, loving mother - concerned for all your brood, not only for DS.
Also, concerned for yourself - you do not deserve to be so tired and stressed - you really don't. Is a break (for yourself/maybe with littlest) out of the question for a couple of days?

Your new rules sound very reasonable to me and are on a par with those we have in the house (similar ages). Is DS in a club (which might mean coming home later one night but it could be worth it) of some sort - would he join? Could be a healthy focus.
And talking of health, how is he? He had a hell of a lot of vodka for one so young. I guess he/you doesn't want underage drinking mentioned on his med records but it is worth getting his health checked out? Or perhaps he's back to full strength -

Could DH talk to ex about attitudes? - it is always best when all carers are consistent.
Don't put up with unbridled rudeness etc from DS. If ever, god forbid, anything like this happens again, could you leave him to it far sooner? I sometimes wish that I'd left DC's room with an 'I love you - good night' on many an occasion in the past before he really got into his stride ..

percysgirl · 03/01/2012 11:00

Hey Issy.
Would love a break away but littlest is back to nursery tomorrow! DS did belong to a football club which played on Sundays but then he got into going to actual matches with his dad so the football training for him sort of fell to the wayside. I think healthwise he is ok - shame about the attitude tho. We're going to have a family meeting tomorrow night (the kids don't know about this yet, we thought we'd spring it on them after we've had dinner when we're all around the table - yet another rule the eldest doesn't like, The fact that I insist we all sit down to eat together in the evenings!!! Is there any rule he does like!! Hmm)
The DS is making me feel that I am totally over-reacting but I do't think I am. I just want him to take the responsibility of getting him drunk (he blames a friend for being able to buy the vodka even thought DS gave him the money), losing his blackberry (again blames a friend who was the last one to have it) and apologise for being so nasty to me and actually mean it (he has said sorry but very begrudgingly!!)
Argh - bloody kids eh!!! Confused

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IssyPeach · 03/01/2012 12:57

Perhaps you can manage a short break sometime, though, to recharge those batteries - you deserve it! (Travel Lodge has a £12.00 a room offer from now to April or May - thinking of booking for DS (yes, the stroppy DS) and me one weekend, after the next round of exams, in London ..

Me too re family meals - at least that's the plan for this year. Last year was a bit hit and miss. I don't mind the occasional meal in their rooms - but that's very far from allowing the DCs to think this is a hotel!

You are not over-reacting, not at all. Is there the slightest chance that DS might be a little ashamed/sorry? I know my DCs find it hard to say 'sorry' - sometimes they make up for things by doing little things, even perhaps being fairly pleasant ..

I think that your DS will be pleased in the long (even short) run that you're standing firm re behaviour - I can't believe that a happy child is one that's allowed to do and say whatever s/he pleases. Good luck.

percysgirl · 03/01/2012 13:16

Thanks hun x

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jshibbyr · 10/01/2012 05:05

this isn't relevant to how to deal with him, but is he allowed to drink in the house? he's 16 hes legally allowed to drink in a restaurant with a meal i'm just thinking if he got that bad on half bottle of vodka he doesn't seem that prepared for the drinking world he's about to enter (that sounds a bit weird but since i was 13 at NYE i was allowed to drink as much as i wanted under supervision of my cousins (all 2 years at least older than me) and have you spoke to him about drinking and stuff i know at 16 in the summer we were camping in the fields and drinking loads after GCSEs its kinda a natural part of growing up so i'm not sure if anger about the drinking is a good plan, but talking to him about how he made you feel, and talking to him about the dangers of drinking a lot, do you have wine or anything at dinner? if so offer him some if you feel comfortable doing so. but ask him how it made him feel as well, i know he expressed anger but there could have been other emotions.

i think the rules you are putting down are fine especially with the exams approaching i hope it all goes well for you but awareness for him is the key really, if you can equip him with information thats your best bet

percysgirl · 10/01/2012 11:11

Hi js - thanks for your comments. We do always offer him a beer if he wants one in the evening which he always refuses but don't hardly ever have spirits in the house. I think NYE has frightened him a bit. We had a family meeting at the weekend (having problems with 14yr old DD's attitude but that is a whole other thread!! :) ) We brought up NYE behaviour and he acknowledges that he was totally out of order and tbh, he's been lovely for the past week or so. I think he's actually realised how upset he made me with his comments and can't do enough to please me at the mo! Obviously I am milking it a bit Blush but am liking this new boy that has arrived in my house!!!! Wink

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