Teenagers pushing boundaries

[Makmaison]

My DS is a nightmare. He’s always been difficult. We are going through a phase of him swearing loudly, using language he knows we find unacceptable, sending me meme’s using words like retard. Using racist language. Basically anything he knows we will find unacceptable. I do not know what is going on with him. He’s driving me nuts. Has anyone else experienced this? It’s like he’s trying to make everyone dislike him. I love him dearly but I really do dislike him right now.

He sounds very immature. Does he have any learning difficulties/ASD as this often affects behaviour/ maturity, so a 17 year old could be behaving like a 12/13 year old

Thanks so much all. Violet thank you. Your post is a nice reminder that he’s still just a boy. I do believe he’s struggling massively with his self esteem.

Might be time for the old:
“The need the most love when the deserve it the least”.

17 is a difficult time. So many changes. GCSEs mark the end of the safety and security of school. There may be a change (sixth form/college) talk of Uni, the prospect of perhaps leaving home.

Suddenly after GCSEs there are decisions to be made.

My 17 yo has stumbled on something he thinks he’d like to do - it’s made the prospect of Uni attractive - but it really was by chance. Now he has a focus and it’s been a positive change. I think he’s still be lost otherwise.

Could he look at signing up for some part time work? That would be a boost. Glass collecting or casual waiting jobs are quite good at this age.