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Teenagers

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

Dss and ds Constant fighting and Bickering

41 replies

DadKeepsCalm1 · 15/01/2016 16:28

I have posted a before about this but this week it has got to an all time low between them.

I have been with my partner for about 3 years now and this has been a problem for about a year now. Me and my wife are really

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DadKeepsCalm1 · 16/01/2016 16:13

I have taken ds out into town and spoke to him, he says that dss started the arguments when he uploaded a picture of him on Instagram. He says dss mocks ds friends all the time including on ds birthday party calling them 'neeks' (nerd and geek combined). This is why they had problems on dss birthday. He says its dss that causes arguments by winding him up and calling names.

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IguanaTail · 16/01/2016 16:20

Since I read "Mercury's Child" I have stopped asking about how it started and focussed on how it was managed by the kids. The problem with asking who started it is that it somehow removes blame to the person responding. If the person doesn't respond then the issue never degenerates. The other issue is that kids break the rules just a little bit off centre, so that whatever you do seems unfair.

I would restate expectations, give them the tactic of walking out the room, and list some of the consequences that you might impose - but say that you will choose depending on what has happened, and that arguing will immediately mean an additional day is added on. If they fight then punish them both exactly the same, don't get into who said what first and who is one year older and should know better. Make the act of fighting the thing that you respond to.

Encourage them to come to speak to you to resolve things that are bubbling and then it can be discussed.

DadKeepsCalm1 · 16/01/2016 17:09

I agree Iguana.

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SuperSofiaL · 16/01/2016 17:49

From this thread and previous threads I have read I would begin to say that your dss is mainly responsible for the fights.

On the last thread you said ds refused to spend a night in the same room as dss. Have you possibly thought that it could be because he wants to get away from dss because he is being bullied?

The Instagram picture was a deliberate attempt to embarrass your son on a public forum. This is a really nasty thing to do (especially to a teen).

You posted about your holiday last year and said you think that your son maybe insecure about his body (normal). You said your dss does a lot of sport so has a good body. Is it possible that dss has made fun/bullied your ds over his body.

Yesterday your dss brought a known bully into your home, I am sure your stepson is not an idiot so I can't see any other reason why he did it.

If dss friend is a bully is it not possible he could also be one to your son.

I think that your son begrudges the fact your ds dad as his dad lives in America (previous thread).

I would focus on keeping a eye on your dss and telling your ds (if he is insecure) that his body is fine. I would also come down hard on your dss.

Oh and you were not wrong to get coffee and cake with your ds and dd.

DadKeepsCalm1 · 16/01/2016 22:00

Thanks SuperSofia

I do think that dss may actually be bullying ds. It is a real concern, I thought the hotel thing was ds fault but it may well not be. I am going to keep a close eye, I've asked ds to record name calling.

I have been the target of dss anger tonight after I said he would have to do the dusting and hovering and phone takentomorrow as his punishment. I have been called "a pathetic ct and a "bully and asshole". Dss also is said I am not living with this "ct (me), loser (ds), and stirring bitch (dd). He then started to shout to his mum "it's your fault for dad moving" (it's definitely not) and made my wife cry.
I had to restrain ds when he tried to confront and threaten ds in his room, dss is taller then me and probably stronger.

My wife has said anger management is needed, I think a lot of this is to do with dad. His dad has step kids also of the same age in America who have him full time. This must make dss feel replaced and forgotten about. I also think (from what dss says his stepmom is not very nice), my wife is speaking to dss father tomorrow. I think that it would be good if dss dad came over here for once.

Dss has kept from us the fact that dss father is sending a considerable amount of money over each month to dss. Me and my wife think that this needs to be reduced and come through my wife instead.

Tomorrow I'm going to have a family meeting. My wife is going to make a schedule for dss, this will include what times he does for schoolwork and what times he goes to the gym or football. I haven't grounded him as the gym is good for him and keeps him fit and healthy and let's him let off steam.

I'm also going to buy a new playstation in a month or so because it causes a lot of hassle and will stop many rows, as they can't play together.

I am also going to speak to dss father. This is the first time I would have spoken, what do you think I should say in regards to him spending some time in this country.

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Heyho111 · 17/01/2016 08:58

I haven't read it a all but your SS sounds like he would benefit from some counselling. He feels rejected by his D and the money being sent is sending mixed messages. He may also see you moving in and bringing your kids into his life as a reflection of what is happening with his D. He then takes it out on you and your S. The people he is really angry at aren't here and subconsciously he's deflecting his feelings on you.
Talk to his dad in a concern for his S wellbeing not you should do this. Yes get another consol Asap as they cause arguments in most households. Perhaps ask his dad to put money towards it.

QuiteLikely5 · 17/01/2016 09:06

Under these circumstances, your own son being bullied in his own home, I would consider moving out for two years until the Step son goes to university.

I know you love your wife but sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do to protect your own children.

I think the step son is lashing out any way he can and he doesn't care who is in the cross fire.

I would go, he just isn't worth it. I k ow he is angry but when everything else fails you are only left with two paths, tolerate him or get away from him!

SuperSofiaL · 17/01/2016 11:52

I don't think living separately is the right option. It's not fair on your dd and ds as well as you and your wife. It shows ds he can shout and get what he wants.

I totally agree that the most of the anger is put on you and your ds is not caused by you be related to your dss being angry at his dad.

I think the money has to stop not only does it send dss mixed messages but makes him feel like he is being brought off.

I agree with heyho that a new console is needed. I would make dss pay for it.

I would also ask dss father to possibly spend time in the U.K when he can. To also try and speak to his son about his anger.

How has he been this morning Op.

DadKeepsCalm1 · 17/01/2016 15:02

We had a family meeting today, Dss has not yet apologised for the outburst from the punishment. I decided to get each member of the family to say to dss how they feel about his actions. But he didn't really seem to care.

He has been rude to my ds today calling his girlfriend 'ugly and "clapped" (unattractive according to Mn slang page). He also called ds a dog.

The money thing is to be stopped,
my wife has taken away his bank card because he has over £3000 and has so many clothes and trainers he has no more space to put the stuff.

We are setting out some new rules for all the kids.

  1. No going into over people's rooms uninvited.
  1. No posts on Instagram/Fb/other that include photos others don't want to be uploaded.
  1. No friends round that have problems with another sibling
  1. No physical fighting
  1. No Verbal insults

I am concerned dss is bullying ds because he may be influenced by friend and angry at other things. I do not think it is a good idea to move though as I don't think it has got to that point of seriousness yet.

Me and my wife are going to ring dss dad at about 5.

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DadKeepsCalm1 · 17/01/2016 15:12

Dss has continued being rude and mean this morning calling ds girlfriend (clapped) and calling him a dog. Ds just said back "better to be ugly on the outside then to the core".

We had a family meeting but dss was forced to attend we all shared our feelings on his actions but he did not seem to care much about how he made us feel.

I have a decided a new set of rules

  1. No one is allowed to go into anyone else's room uninvited (already broken by dss)
  1. No one is allowed to post any pictures on social media of people without their permission.
  1. No one is to fight physically or verbally.

We are going to ring dss father in about an hour or so.

Dss has not done his punishment and has left the house to go to hang out with friends.

Which we said he was not to go to for today (evening though we did not ground him).

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DadKeepsCalm1 · 17/01/2016 15:13

Sorry I posted a similar message twice, I thought the first one did not post.

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SuperSofiaL · 17/01/2016 17:21

Dss has continued being rude and mean this morning calling ds girlfriend (clapped) and calling him a dog. Ds just said back "better to be ugly on the outside then to the core".

Your son replied in the right way to a deliberate attempt to insult him.

From what it looks like your dss must think I'm already in trouble and so might as well keep going. I would suggest you start implementing punishments from tomorrow morning onwards.

I would also suggest that your son completely ignore dss until it all calms down.

I know you are backing your son in this but you need to be careful that it does not look like a conspiracy against your dss which then gives him merit to insult and start arguments.

Anger management sounds like a good idea.

How did the call go to dss father.

AmyWatt1972 · 17/01/2016 17:29

Your son replied in the right way to a deliberate attempt to insult him

What!!!!!!!!

The Op's son allowed dss to get a response. This is a response to a boy that clearly feels abandoned left out and isolated. The insult back probably hurt dss much much more.

Dss friend coming round although wrong is quite clearly a test to see if the Op's home is also dss.

incogKNEEto · 17/01/2016 18:19

I think getting DS to ignore DSS would be best if possible, but if he is being picked on and bullied (definitely think bringing the 'friend' around was deliberate) in his own home I'm not surprised he answered back, and after all, he is right. If DSS wants people to be pleasant to him then maybe he should try being pleasant to others!

incogKNEEto · 17/01/2016 18:21

Sorry, posted too soon. I think your list if rules sound fair and reasonable for everyone to follow and hopefully get some tranquility in your home. They don't have to be best buddies but they do need to co-exist in a reasonable manner. Otherwise moving into shared accommodation in university years will certainly be an eye opener for them!

DadKeepsCalm1 · 17/01/2016 21:23

We didn't manage to get in contact with dss so we sent an email.

I have decided to reset any punishment but dss is hardly in my good books.

I did tell ds not to respond, but I glad he at least did it calmly with out shouting or causing an argument.

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