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Teenagers

Feel so disgusted and shocked at DS - just don't want to look him in the face.

292 replies

StifflersMom · 13/06/2007 15:32

DS is 14 - soon to be fifteen. I knew he had a bit of an on/off "thing" with a girl at school but was reasonably confident that nothing much had happened. He doesn't really get much opportunity to socialise outside of school as he is very involved with a particular sport and he also goes to school in a different town to where we live but occasionally, eg in half terms, he will make arrangements to go off on his own with his school friends for the day.

First let me say I am not a prudish mother, I do not vehemently disapprove of him having girlfriends and a bit of snogging etc as to what I personally feel is appropriate for a teenager of his age. I even feel glad that he is "fancied" and seems popular.

DS and I have not been getting on lately. I catch him out in lies and he has been giving DH and I a lot of attitude which I realise is all in keeping with the normal stuff parents of teens have to go through. However, its been worse lately; he's been rebelling big time over a treatment regime he has to follow for a medical condition and yesterday, in complete exasperation and anger I told him I didn't want to speak to him for the rest of the day because I couldn't bear being spoken to with so little respect and apparent dislike.

When he was in bed and I was putting stuff away in his room I came across his phone and took it out and looked at it. I am not going to get into a debate about the rights and wrongs of that; I don't do it as rule and I realise that even 14 year olds deserve some privacy but I reserve the right to check out what it going on in his life in whatever way I can when I have concerns and we are not communicating well. He is after all, still a child.

I was shocked and horrified by what I found. Texts sent to this on/off girlfriend; REAL adult content, I mean really pornographic descriptions (again I must stress that I am not prudish about such things but I think there is a time for this and it is not at 14 years of age.) It described what he wanted to do to her in explicit detail and in words I really can't imagine him using. (I realise I am denial here, with the last statement, but sorry I just can't take that on board, that he would speak like that and then actively TELL her these things!)

I also found a short porno film, again full hardcore content but with all the sounds and close ups.

I hauled him out of bed, admitted I had looked at his phone and at what I had found. The colour drained out of his face immediately. He attempted a couple of different stories until I insisted that nothing other than the truth would suffice. He said his mates had got hold of his phone some days before he had sent the text and eventually he had sent it to her. But that they weren't his words.

I asked him if he had had sex. He denied it. I asked him if he was aware that having sex with a girl under 16 was a crime, that he (or WE!) could be prosectuted and that HE would be the only one really deemed to be in the wrong, as the male. He said yes but that he wasn't having sex.

I then cried (pathetically) and said I was disgusted and that I couldn't beleive he was either doing this stuff, or at the very least promising to by text, at 14. That 14 is very different to 16, 17 or 18 and that there will be a time in a few years when it really isn't my business but for now it is.

He was so stressed he threw up. Normally this would have appalled me; to upset him that much but it had no effect pn my last night. I just felt disgust and still do today.

He'll be home from school at 5.30 and I don't know how to deal with him. I couldn't speak to him this morning and I don't want to now or even look him in the face.

Biggest point here is I don't know what is/isn't the truth, what he is/isn't up to. He says it's only kissing and cuddling but would YOU believe that after a text like that? (You'll have to use your imagine; I can't bring myself say what it said but it involved much use of the word "pssy", fck, cock and tit w*nk, and what he wanted to do "all over her." ) (At 14 years old!!)

I am aware I may possibly be over reacting. But I can't help the way I feel. Please tell me what you think about how I should handle this.

By the way, DH was there and fully backed me up but I do feel that this is much less of a "big deal" for him. A "bloke thing" obviously.

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DaddyJ · 13/06/2007 17:05

This might be a situation where man-to-man
would be helpful.

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Mumpbump · 13/06/2007 17:05

I agree - don't apologise - it's making more of an issue out of it. Chances are he's embarrassed and wants to forget about it. A man to man chat at some point about respect for women would be better than you being involved, I would have thought.

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Anna8888 · 13/06/2007 17:20

Please, please, please don't be horrified. Or apologise. It really isn't the end of the world - it's just the beginning of your son's life as an adult.

But I do think you and your DH need to discuss how you are going to ensure your son grows up with a healthily respectful attitude to women.

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nappyaddict · 13/06/2007 17:22

we always had condoms in the bathroom cupboard. we knew where they were if we needed them but we never had the embarassment of mum handing them over.

i assume he's in year 10? unfortunately many yr 10 boys were having sex when i was at school.

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StifflersMom · 13/06/2007 17:23

Yes Y10.

I feel sick. He's due home any time. I realise I am being unbalanced but I don't know how to "be" with him.

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nappyaddict · 13/06/2007 17:25

are him and this girl actually a couple? i can't remember if you said they were but if they are i would be glad he is sending them to someone he obviously cares about and not just anyone.

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DaddyJ · 13/06/2007 17:26

Come on, you can do this!

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juuule · 13/06/2007 17:39

Maybe just tell him you still love him, you are a bit shocked at the moment and you need a bit of time to get it all in perspective. Also let him know that you believe him and trust him. When you have calmed down a bit perhaps you could make an opportunity to have a calm talk with him about the safety aspect of this and how at 14 having sex is possibly not a great idea and why you think it's not.

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Mrscarrot · 13/06/2007 17:39

Oh dear. You sound very upset.

All I can say is that it seems completely normal to me. Nearly fifteen, that's what most boys were like at my school, there was certainly plenty of sexual activity by that age.

I expect I would feel as horrified, not wanting to think of them in that way. My ds is ten this year and I'm dreading all this to come. I would
not like to read that on his phone

but it is his phone

and I do think you overreacted. As others have said, vomiting from stress, he must feel dreadful too and can't be looking forward to coming home.

I think conversations about respect and condoms etc are a good idea, probably not today, but the underage thing is a bit strong tbh. He is that age too.

I would be inclined to to let it lie for now. I do feel for you though.

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juuule · 13/06/2007 17:40

And if you don't feel you can talk about it to him maybe his dad could have a chat with him.

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TheDaVinciCod · 13/06/2007 17:42

Por you

POor him

i bte you felt shocked and i bet i woudl have reacted the smae way
btu what di doyu epxect
sounds totally normal

cant you and him go out for a walk/ meal tonight nad become friends again?
tlel him that its tought ot accpet he is gorwing up but oyu love him so much you dont want him to be hurt.

rememebr you love him
and he loves you

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TheDaVinciCod · 13/06/2007 17:42

...... oh and try ot have a laugh about it
will diifuse the stress.

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minorityrules · 13/06/2007 17:43

So just what is so shocking? The language, the porn or the fact he may be having sex?

The language is totally normal for men, ever been in the company of just men? They never speak in terms of love and respect....always just about how to and what to do, graphically!

The porn, I don't see a problem with. For the majority it is just fantasy and they know what is real and whatg isn't. I watch certain types for pleasure but never would want to do in rl. Men are hugely visual and for them it's a release. My son is allowed mags and I think he has stuff on his phone, as long as he keeps it away from the younger ones, I have no problem (he's 14 too) It can bring up questions too which is always a good thing

The having sex, well if he is, he is and mum knowing won't make any difference. Most of us experimented as a youngster, again as long as safety is paramount, is it such a big deal.

I still think it's important to apologise if you overstept the mark. Just because he is only 14, doesn't mean you as a parent can go gungho. Children should know parents can get it wrong sometimes and they will respect you more

Just sit him down and say sorry for reaction, but you are worried he will get hurt in some way.

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StifflersMom · 13/06/2007 17:44

Thank you.

cod those posts are fairly un-coldlike.

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StifflersMom · 13/06/2007 17:45

codlike not coldlike!

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TheDaVinciCod · 13/06/2007 17:46

hmmi get you totally
id have felt the same
poor him though
what coudl he do?
he wanted to make you not cry
to pretendt he whoel thign enevr happened etcetc



do try and laugh abotu it

and remind him hes your son and you love him

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fizzbuzz · 13/06/2007 17:53

Haven't read all this thread.

I@m a secondary schol teacher, and unfortunately I think this is par for the course for a lot of teenagers.

Judging by converstaions I have tried not to overhear in class (especially amongst girls), and other stuff that happens, it seems that Y10 and 11 are quite sexually aware tbh.

I think it is sad, and not right, but unfortunately this is what today's oversexualised socirty does to children

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colditz · 13/06/2007 17:53

yes, and I totally get that it's not what YOU want, but what about what HE wants? What HE wants is, although not allowed, a completely normal thing for him to want. You risk alienating him if you make him feel weird for being normal.

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minorityrules · 13/06/2007 17:56

Also, can't see why people are saying no to an apology

She made the kids throw up and at the time, didn't care. And given him the cold shoulder this morning

Kids deserve as much respect as adults do. Upset someone that much, of course they deserve an apology

My mother treated me in this way, thought that screaming and belittling would make me change my ways (nothing sinister, just smoking and some sexual behaviour) All it did was to make me lose respect for her and to this day, I will never speak to her over any private matter. I don't need judgements from her and that is what I feel I would get. Maybe things are different now but never again will I trust her..... all from my teen years, sad really

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Mercy · 13/06/2007 17:57

milkchocolate, 14 years old is not a man imo, however sexually aware or active he may be. Stifflers ds does needs a gentle talking to re porn etc and how some girls may react to it.

His next girlfriend may not be impressed with some of the language etc.

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StifflersMom · 13/06/2007 17:59

Shut up Minority. Don't project YOUR family issues onto me. I do not disrespect him and belittle him. Not did I scream. I just cried.

I realise my reaction was not "correct" but I was shocked and upset.

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colditz · 13/06/2007 18:01

Why post if you're going to tell people to shut up?

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TheDaVinciCod · 13/06/2007 18:04

the threowing up thing is odd tbh
itll eb fine

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DaddyJ · 13/06/2007 18:05

The apology would be insincere because she is not sorry.
She is angry and upset and if anything wants him to apologise.

Hey, what would the real Stiffler's Mom do? Stay über-cool, of course!

You have not done anything wrong, neither has your son and the people on this thread all want to help.

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StifflersMom · 13/06/2007 18:06

I only told Minority to shut up. I am not feeling entirely given to polite conversation.

The rest I am taking very seriously and mulling it all over in order to most effectively deal with DS. Thankyou.

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