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Teenagers

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

15 year old brother, so many problems!

47 replies

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 01/03/2012 13:52

I'm posting as my Mum is at her wits end with my teenage brother. Bit of background: Mum had 4 kids with my dad, eldest now in his 30s. Stepdad has 4, roughly the same ages. They got together and had my little brother, there's a 9 year age gap between him and my youngest sister. So, big family, lots of different issues obviously going on at all times, so it's fair to say my little brother probably didn't get as much attention on him as we did growing up, but definitely got spoilt money and gift-wise.

He didn't really fit in in primary, he was a bit chubby, young for his age, would rather play on the computer that play out, not many friends. It all changed when he hit secondary school. During year 7, he sprouted up, slimmed out, broad shoulders, Justin Bieber hair cut- you wouldn't recognise him as the same boy!

This is where the trouble started. We found out he first had sex at 12 Sad
He looks older for his age, always attracts older girlfriends. He started getting in fights at school, as the older boys didn't like their exes going for him. He started smoking. Couple of older boys caught him by himself, beat him up, took his phone, threatened to stab him if he reported them, so he refused to talk to the police. Started smoking dope. Last summer, he got his 16/17 year old girlfriend pregnant, shes due about his 15th birthday next month. They are no longer together, they can't speak to each other without arguing, so he probably won't have anything to do with the baby (my mum is staying in contact with the family, and will be in touch with them). Her mother got drunk, started on brother, and when he argued back, sent her two late twenties sons round to threaten to break his legs. Before half term, he got in a fight at school, the teacher went to break it up and got in the way of a punch, so he's been excluded and sent to our local 'bad boys' unit. And we found out today he's been taking Mcat.

Where do we start on this? Grounding him means he climbs out of the house, he doesn't respond to taking stuff away, he's been to counsellers with no outcome, he has no respect for our parents- although he will defend Mum if you say anything to her in front of him. Mums rang social servics, who just reffered her to the drugs charity helpline. School referred him to the counsellor, but wouldn't or couldn't do much else. God knows where he's getting his money from to do all this- he did have a evening job over the winter delivering pizzas, but he's left that now.

Any help will be gratefully recieved, and thanks for reading my essay!

OP posts:
wannabestressfree · 03/03/2012 22:02

Waves to Maryz

Am not thread jacking but..............
My son is in a medium secure unit because of his behaviour [conflict disorder being one which means being a MASSIVE pain and not doing anything he was told] as well as other mental health issues.....

Well we sat for a whole morning last sat about him, his treatment, progress, lack of, etc etc

so what did he do sunday?

He escaped with three others through a window. From a secure unit, with bars, and numerous staff. It never ends and some children and what they need are just beyond the norm. I have given up blaming myself...............

Maryz · 03/03/2012 22:03

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Maryz · 03/03/2012 22:04

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wannabestressfree · 03/03/2012 22:08

I am still on my old thread will bump it now for you :}

Its ok always happy to except sympathetic noises

Kashtan · 03/03/2012 22:21

name changer here, sorry not brave.Sad
firstly maryz talks loads of sense - always
sorry to be a coward
worried about being judged and effect on my other dcs
my oldest has always been difficult, has been using cannabis since 14
so agree with op that taking stuff away has no effect.
some dcs just don't operate the way others do - my oldest has had same as the others, who all are normal dcs, work hard, play sports etc and conform to societal norms.
thinking more and more that my ds needs psyschiatric input but how do i start - sorry am highjacking thread, will shut up as have nothing helpful to say except you are not alone - hugs xx

flow4 · 04/03/2012 10:20

Nope, you're definitely not alone. There's me too... Confused

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 04/03/2012 10:34

Ah, crap, Mums found me, have to namechange now Grin

Kashtan, it is helpful to hear other people have the same issues, don't shut up.

Maryz, regarding the baby, thats kind of the way we all feel too. That she was taking advantage of him being young- not that we are in anyway saying he's without fault. Would social services/the police be involved when he gets put on the birth certificate, as he's underage, as they would have if the mother was 14?

OP posts:
ninamag · 04/03/2012 10:52

This was my brother 11 years ago. He now has no relationship with his child, his ex or our family. He feels that he was a child then but everyone blamed him but tried to make him grow up and take responsibility. He feels that we all took her side and feels very betrayed. It has been a nightmare! Sad
He has now dropped the drugs but feels that he was trapped into a situation. Re: the birth cerificate nothing happened with the police, he was 2 years younger than her at 14.

Maryz · 04/03/2012 11:19

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BreakOutTheKaraoke · 04/03/2012 11:51

Boys do get short shrift. She has taken the choice to keep the baby, she will recieve financial support to raise the baby. DB will be villainised for not supporting a child when he doesn't have the emotions or any money in place to support himself, never mind a new baby. Why would you choose to have a baby in that situation? As a young mum myself, I know how hard it will be for her, but I also can't imagine how someone who is very much a child himself will handle it.

OP posts:
wannabestressfree · 04/03/2012 11:52

Those who have posted saying their DS's need proper psychiatric help you need to approach CAHMS and scream and shout until they help. There is help avaliable but you have to be at crisis point.

This is speaking as the mother of a DS age 14 who has spent the last five months sectioned in hospital [medium secure], third stay [other two short term].

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 04/03/2012 11:54

Nina, do you all see the child? It's hard to know where to go with supporting his ex and the baby. The baby will be part of our family, and we will have a relationship with him, but how do you do that when the dad will be at home, but not wanting anything to do with him?

OP posts:
BreakOutTheKaraoke · 04/03/2012 11:56

Wannabe, I'm sorry to hear about your son, and I'm glad you're getting the help he needs. I remember reading your story in relationships last year, and the struggle you had to get anyone to listen.

OP posts:
Maryz · 04/03/2012 11:56

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ninamag · 04/03/2012 13:37

Yes I see my niece. We have tried to involve her in all our family stuff it's really hard though. My brother has always been stubbornly on the sidelines. When she was small me and my mum had her three times a week so her mum could finish school. Then when we weren't so useful anymore my bro's ex would always try and wrangle more- either more time or more money. If we ever said no her response well you can't see dn. To be fair it has been hell- my parents divorced over this ( my dad always said he should pay but not get involved as ex will hurt everyone) mum wanted to get involved emotionally. NowSad brother never sees but pays for her. We as a family continue to argue about her, my niece is very sweet but her mum has made everyone's lives very difficult. I wish she would emigrate.

mumatwitsend · 04/03/2012 14:06

Thankyou all for the messages and advice. It has helped enormously.We are waiting for son to arrive home so we can sit and chat hopefully. Have decided a couple of rules with dad and we are both feeling a little better after reading all the posts,thankyou daughter you have saved our sanity by telling us about this site. We aretaking on board a lot of the advice we will try it and just take one day at a time.Wannabestressfree my heart goes out to you .Ninemag we will learn from what has happened to your family and son will be helped as much as we are able with no pressure on him to do anything he doesnt want to do.

mumatwitsend · 04/03/2012 14:08

Thankyou Marytz for your advice we are going to try some of your tips

Maryz · 04/03/2012 14:19

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mumatwitsend · 04/03/2012 14:28

Both me and dad are going to find counceling as he is just as lost as me just need to find one near us that is appropriate.Dont worry will be on here lots as i am sure wewill have lots more stress yet.You never know i may be able to post something posetive one day.

Maryz · 04/03/2012 14:33

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anewyear · 11/03/2012 11:58

Hope you dont mind me butting in,

I thought the last 6yrs with DS13 had been bloody horrible, but nothing compared to what you ladies are going thro.

We also had one meeting with CAHMS, Me DS 1&2
The second meeting was just me and the socialworker, during the meeting, due to a comment I made that I sometimes wondered if it was my parenting skills, but I said I knew It probalby wasnt as my other DS10 is so totally diffrent,
However she apeared to pick up on that comment and wanted me to go on a parenting course (Told her Id been there and done it) but she wasnt listening.

BUT
Im too am begining to see the light at the end of the tunnel, he turned 13 last September and he seemed, almost to change/grown up? overnight!
We still have our moments but where as it was daily, it now possibly once a week.

FWIW I think you ladies rock.. and thanx for your experiences and advice.
It helps to know your not the only one who has challenging DC.

mumatwitsend · 16/03/2012 18:48

Hi back again tried using tips and our son does seem to be coming back still smoking weed but not as much dont think.New prob now,son decided last saturday to get in touch with x (the one who is pregnant with his child) he appologised for how he has behaved and said he wanted to be in babys life. went round to see her last weekend and ended up staying for nearly a week.
told son it was a bad idea and to just be friends but obv they dont listen.told me on thurs they were back together as a couple.Tonight i got a phone call from her mum telling me what a bad son i have as he told girlfriend he was just trying it and he doesnt want to be with her but wants to stay friends as he wants to be in the babys life.Obv her mum is fuming as girl is heartbroken and she doesnt want to see him till after baby is born.I really feel as though i have had enough i dont think i can carry on anymore there is no end to the problems.

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