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Teenagers

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

14 year old DD has suddenly decided to go and live with her dad and refuses to talk to me

69 replies

BaconFrazzles · 28/10/2013 14:24

As per the title really :(

I split from her dad when she was 20 months. She is now almost 15. Her dad was emotionally and physically abusive towards me, and has always tried to get one over on me by having no rules or boundaries at his house for DD. He pays a pittance each month in maintenance, but thinks for that that DD shouldn't have to do any chores in the house and that DD should be allowed to do as she pleases, whether that's telling DH and I to F**k off, staying up all night on the computer, or watching unsuitable films. He only sees her twice a month and has wanted no other involvement in her life, and sees everything else as 'my' job (although he is quick to have a go at me when he disagrees with my parenting). His family are the same as him.

I met DH when DD was 3 and DH has been a fantastic dad to her. We have two other children who are aged 9 and 4. We are very liberal parents and aren't strict at all (although we do have rules and boundaries about the important things IMO). DD has a great life; she has lots materially, gets taken on holidays, lifts wherever and whenever she wants them, friends round whenever she wants etc. DD has quite a selfish personality, and tends to prefer whoever lets her do as she pleases. She hates doing chores in the house and hates any rules.

She had 3 detentions at school last week. It started with one and snowballed to three as she hadn't done homework and kept refusing to go to detentions. This culminated in her having a 2 hour long detention on Friday night after school. She wanted me to phone the school and say she couldn't do it, but I refused to as IMO she deserved the detention, and she threw an almighty strop. As punishment for her behaviour, we decided she could have no internet time for the next few days, and also that we would like to check her homework diary each day to make sure she is doing homework (we have had calls from her teachers saying she hasn't been doing homework)

She stayed with her dad for the weekend and suddenly last night her dad phoned me up and had a big go at me saying DD isn't happy and I'll have to 'tread carefully' or DD will end up 'hating me' and living with him. I said that if she wants to live with him then that is her decision but I won't be told that I'm a bad parent when I'm not. He said some awful things about me and DH. DD was meant to come home today and now the ex has phoned me today and said DD is going to live with him now and doesn't want to speak to me again.

My DD2 (aged 9) is so upset. DD1 sent her a message saying she 'hopes to see DD2 again one day'. DD1 won't speak to me or answer any of my texts or calls. Her dad says he's coming here tonight at 6 to get all her stuff.

I'm so upset. I don't know what to do. Her dad has said there is no point seeking legal advice as the non-resident parent has more rights than the resident one. Also he lives in a town 30 miles away. DD has just started GCSEs. God knows how she is going to get to school each day. Also he doesn't agree with discipline, or school rules, so no doubt things will go pear shaped for her at school.

Anyone got any advice? Have I just got to accept it?

OP posts:
xxaussiebabyxx · 22/11/2013 21:45

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ursula8 · 23/11/2013 08:39

"I just feel at the moment that DD has manipulated the situation to suit her, and to ensure she is getting her own way as much as possible."

Er, yeah!!! She has you both right where she wants you doesn't she? Divide and rule. Everyone fannying around trying not to upset her because you all want her with you.

I had and still occasionally have this issue thrown up at me by DD. In fact last night she decided she wanted to go and live with her dad because I turned the internet router off and took it to bed with me at 10.45 which is tantamount to teen abuse apparently.

What has helped me is getting onside with the ex. I do appreciate this isn't always possible and it has taken me 3 years to get there!! However, it means we are on the same page and she cannot manipulate nearly so easily. She is very unhappy about us getting on!!!

If I were you I would tell her she needs to make a decision because of the maintenance issue. Either she lives with you full time and XH pays and she lives by your rules. Or she lives with XH full time and you pay and she lives by his rules (but suffers from being far from school and friends, un unlikely choice for a 14 year old) Or she splits herself 50/50 and neither of you pays maintenance but she still has chores and abides by your rules when she lives with you.

You seem to be afraid of upsetting her? Why is this?

Good luck!

flow4 · 23/11/2013 10:22

I'd say 'our rules at our house'.

My DS2 (13) spends 2 nights a week with his dad. There, there are no rules, no bedtime even on school nights, no chores, no need to do washing, no horrible big brother, favourite meals cooked, lots and lots of films watched, etc... Though my son hasn't ever tried to play games or manipulate the situation, I still occasionally get flashes of terrible fear that my son will decide he wants to go and live there full time...

Then I remember that for all the advantages at his dad's there are disadvantages too. And positive advantages at my house, too. Here, he gets more structure, help with homework, good conversations round meal-tables, more material comfort, guitar lessons, friends able to come for tea and sleep-over, lifts, advice from mum when he needs it... And I know he loves me and he'd miss me...

Bacon, I think you need to remind yourself of the positive things about living in your house/family. Have more confidence in yourself and what you are giving to your daughter. At the moment, she's scenting weaknesses, and playing on your uncertainties, because she's angry and is getting encouragement. That's sad, and it's bad for her as well as you. If you can give her a sense that you think your family life is pretty good, and that you think she'll miss out if she goes to her dad full-time, then you'll probably find she stops trying to pull away and play games.

Ursula8 · 23/11/2013 10:45

Excellent advice from Flow. I may try it myself!!!

BaconFrazzles · 10/12/2013 17:23

I wasn't sure whether to start a new thread or to tag this reply onto this thread so I decided to put it on here in the end because the back story is on it. thank you everyone so much for the replies so far.

Ok, well basically DD is still having very minimal contact with DH, my two younger children and I. Contact only happens if I initiate it (usually via FB message as she won't answer her phone to me). She hasn't been home for 3 weeks now and each time I ask her to come round she says she's busy.

I am absolutely livid now as she refused to come round this weekend and said that she was busy. Turned out her 'busy' on Saturday involved coming to the town in which we live, meeting up with my toxic mum, having her haircut (paid for by my mum) and having lunch with my mum, then going home. She didn't make any contact with me and even though she was 2 miles away from where we live she didn't suggest meeting. My mum didn't let me know about the meet.

I feel like she is totally cutting us all out of her life, and I don't think she's old enough to do so. I feel that my mum has got what she has always wanted, ie me excluded from DD's life. DD's dad clearly isn't making her make any contact with us. DD is getting in trouble at school left, right and centre.

What do I do from here? I have a feeling that if I don't contact her again then that will be it and I'll never ever hear from her. Also, my parents are pure toxic. I had minimised contact with my parents because of their toxicity and because of the abuse I got as a child. I know they are only doing this to hurt me!

OP posts:
freeezing · 10/12/2013 18:24

Your parents sound ghastly - have some Thanks . Bad enough to have an abusive ex - you don't need your parents behaving like children too...

3 weeks isn't that long in the grand scheme of things - it matters that your dd knows you love her so keep sending her the facebook messages and olive branches. But don't demean yourself by lowering yourself to that game-playing level. You have two other lovely dcs and a lovely dh - they must be upset/mystified by what happened so make them your priority, whilst keeping the door open for dd if/when she decides to return. You want your younger dcs to feel loved and secure - focus on them for now. I suspect that dd will get bored and realise what she's missing with you - but you can't speed that up, that's up to her. All you can do is focus on stability for the other kids - having big sister flitting to and fro must be unsettling for them, surely?

BaconFrazzles · 10/12/2013 18:58

Thank you freezing :)

Yes, they're absolutely awful. They're very manipulative, and play on DD being quite easily led and taken in by things. I have a feeling they have promised her the moon on a stick...

The little ones, especially 9 year old DD, are really upset and unsettled by it all.

DD1 has made me so cross, it almost pains me to have to keep asking her to come round etc, even though I know it's the right thing to do. I wouldn't put up with that kind of treatment from a friend, and DD knows that, yet she is really playing on things.

I worry though that my ex and my parents will really turn her against DH and I and that she will sever contact with us all forever.

OP posts:
HorsePetal · 10/12/2013 21:16

Oh bacon I am so so sorry to read this. I can't believe how awful your parents are Hmm and your ex DH is just vile.

Keep contact with them to an absolute minimum now and just focus on your DD.

You can't make her 'want' to come home so maybe just stop trying to suggest that anymore.

Keep telling her that you love her and miss her very much and that no matter what, you will always be there for her.

I'm not sure what more you can do.

My god - your parents!!!!

HorsePetal · 10/12/2013 21:17

I wonder if you should ask this to be moved to relationships as you might get a lot more responses there x

toongirl46 · 14/12/2013 07:01

Hi
I had a similar situation when my son was 15. he is now 19. He went to live with his dad as we were fighting all the time and super dad stepped in so off he went. It broke my heart and i was in bits but had to sit back and wait. 2 months in and everything hunky dorey then the real life kicked in!!! What had been going on in my home with him ,started at his dads. His girlfriend couldnt really cope and my son realised that the grass was not greener.He asked to come home and i realised my ex only wanted the good bits. Now at 19 my son realised what had happened and understands that i was not a horrible mother after all. Just a mother looking out for him.
sometimes he would threaten to go back to his dads as he knew how upset i had been but i changed my tactics!! Whenever he said that i would say to him "i really love you and dont want you to leave BUT if that what it takes to make you happy then i will respect your choice". Worked well and he stopped saying it and stayd home. We have a very good relationship now.
Sadly history is repeating itself with my 16 year old daughter. I think her dad tries his best to be her "best friend" and tries to act the cool dad, when in fact he is a great big plonker!!! Its hurting me but i have to try my best to bite my tongue and ride it out. Its me she comes to when she needs anything as daddy is always skint. Suprise!!But then her dad is the best thing since sliced bread. Do i sound bitter towards him? lol.
I am sure your daughter will realise which side her bread is buttered on. For a while it will be nice to have no rules and not to have to lift an finger but children do need rules and they can only go so long with the parent allowing them to do anything. They need us to help them sort things out and when she realises who the one is that does that you will get her back.
Be strong and keep smiling.xxxxxx

MiniMonty · 15/12/2013 03:12

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WhoDat · 15/12/2013 05:08

We'll ignore the troll above for a start Pathetic. You're doing the best in a very, very tough situation bacon, it must be awful to be going through this. Your DD is taking the piss, and sadly hurting herself just as much as the rest of you. There are some bizarre dynamics at play, your mum siding with your (abusive) ex? It's just a shitstorm all round. Do what you've been doing - keep a loving, but boundary filled, home open to her. I have to laugh at your ex asking for maintenance. It would make a cat laugh. Hang tough sweet momma!

paperlantern · 15/12/2013 06:49

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paperlantern · 15/12/2013 06:51

gah sorry. whole post didn't load

Mimogen · 14/01/2014 11:40

Baconfrazzles - do you mind me asking if anything has changed and what happened over Christmas? I am in a very similar situation with my 13 yr old DD. I am worried sick and heartbroken.

exWifebeginsat40 · 14/01/2014 12:08

i'm in this situation too. DD has been gone 3 months now, and i see her once a week at her dad's.

my H and i are splitting up, and once i told DD this it transpires that she hasn't been happy here for a while (i know there are issues that i am responsible for, and am working on these) due to my H's temper and general moodiness. i move to a flat in town in 2 weeks, and DD knows there is always a place for her with me. i don't know at this stage if she'll ever come back to me the way it was, but i have to hang on to the progress that is slowly being made.

i am luckier in that DD's dad is keen for her to renew her relationship with me, but i know how hard it is when they leave.

keep the communication open with her, tell her you love her, and then you just have to let it go. it seems impossible but you will always be her mum, and she will always need you. she just needs to realise it.

croquet · 17/01/2014 10:44

Oh dear it seems like teenagers behave badly when there are gaps in agreement between the adults they can drive a wedge in. It mostly seems to happen when parents are divorced but even worse when extended family members start joining in... watching with interest

Mumof3xx · 17/01/2014 10:51

I did this as a teenager

Except it was moving out of my dads into my mums

It lasted six months and my mum had enough of having a teenager around and sent me back

Mumof3xx · 17/01/2014 10:52

Oh and why did I do it?

Because the grass is always greener, and because my dad was trying to lay down the law and I wanted to get away from it

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