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Teenagers

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

said something awful to my teenager and feel like a shit head

151 replies

purpleballetshoes40 · 01/06/2019 13:22

her behaviour for the past few years has been awful and I've just dealt with it as some of it relates to stress. She calls me some awful names, is awful to her little sister and regularly calls me a "f*(king cu)(t
She doesn't lift a finger around the house, never apologises when she's called me a name, throws stuff at me, leaves rubbish where she drops it and says some spiteful awful things to me. She's 16. She regularly says she wishes I was dead and she wouldn't come to the funeral, she hates me, calls me fat and ugly and a c:)nt. I don't think her anxiety is an excuse to call me those names.
Last night she was talking to me about her stress and I was sympathetic but probably sounded a bit distracted as I was putting laundry away. She said I was an utter bitch for not listening properly. She then got a pint glass of water and threw it on the floor, followed by some red paint, which she pour over it. I didn't react as is usual (reacting has absolutely zero effect, she never apologises, backs down or sees what she's done) and because I didn't react, she then knocked my bag on the floor and stamped on it, smashing two new items I'd bought.
I shouted at her and ran upstairs crying, whilst saying that I wish I hadn't had her. As soon as the words left my mouth I felt like an utter utter bitch. I apologised, but she said she knows I mean it. I know she behaved hideously, but what I said was worse. I'm the adult here. How can I put this right?

OP posts:
howwudufeel · 01/06/2019 13:24

She sounds awful. I think you are a saint for being so patient with her for so long.

kalinkafoxtrot45 · 01/06/2019 13:25

Perhaps she needs a shock like that. Perhaps she needs to know that her behaviour is unacceptable and has an impact on others.

livefornaps · 01/06/2019 13:26

Jesus. That's terrible. I"d tell her to have a serious think about how the two of you can carry on living together.

newjobnerves · 01/06/2019 13:26

Honestly I'd have said worse than that! The way she is behaving is not normal teenage angst, she sounds like she could do with some therapy.

Neolara · 01/06/2019 13:28

I don't think it does your dd any harm to know you have your limits. She behaved appallingly. You (understandably) got cross. I wouldnt beat yourself up over it. And I certainly wouldn't let your dd attempt to manipulate the situation by making you feel bad about it. Sounds very difficult. Eventually she'll grow up.

Pumpkintopf · 01/06/2019 13:28

I'm so sorry op this sounds so tough to deal with. Could you perhaps get some outside help eg family therapy? Her behaviour does sound very extreme and hard to handle and yes, what you said was awful but you know that and have wholeheartedly apologised. I'm sure your love and support for her over the 16 years of her life will outweigh a regretted comment blurred out in a moment of immense stress. I'm sure you can apologise again and tell her how much you love her. Thanks

scarecrowhead · 01/06/2019 13:29

She deserved it

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 01/06/2019 13:31

I don't think you should be too hard on yourself OP,
Her behaviour is horrific.I have no idea how the feck you handle this but her actions definitely need intervention, has she seen a GP? Or other health professional?

GreenTulips · 01/06/2019 13:32

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gruhryu · 01/06/2019 13:32

She'll now be using this as ammunition in the next row as a further excuse for shitty behaviour 'but you said that you wish you never had me!'

I think that I'd apologise and say you didn't mean it etc, but leave it at that. You've said something in haste, you've been pushed ridiculously far already Thanks

purpleballetshoes40 · 01/06/2019 13:33

I've been crying on and off all morning and have told her I love her. She's told me too get lost and she doesn't believe me.
This has been going on since she was 12.
She's having counselling.
I keep thinking her stress is an excuse to call me name and be vile 24/7 and mean to her sister, but it's not, is it? I've been walking on eggshells for 4 years and my own mental health is shit as a result of this. I hate myself for feeling this way, but I long for the day when she leaves home.

OP posts:
justju · 01/06/2019 13:34

Sorry - where exactly are the "autistic traits" here @GreenTulips? WTF?

Bigearringsbigsmile · 01/06/2019 13:35

I am trying to imagine what my reaction would be if my teenagers spoke to me like that.
Do you live with her father?
Have you sought any professional help in the past?
What is your normal reaction?

You do know this is abnormal behaviour?

DuchessOfBallybrack · 01/06/2019 13:35

She sounds an absolute brat.

My own 16 year old is no angel, selfish, clingy, lazy. But she isn't that bad. I've shouted at my teenager on occasion as well.

It is NEGATIVE INTIMACY to treat your mother like this. She wouldn't treat anybody else like this. So, every time she calls you a name, it's herself she hates.

Teenagers often have a lot of anger I think.

I want more respect as well and I don't know how to get it without being authoritarian and controlling.

bobstersmum · 01/06/2019 13:36

You reacted perfectly normally, she sounds like real trouble. Do not let her turn this around to her advantage, what she did is disgraceful and she should see consequences for it!

AlyssasBackRolls · 01/06/2019 13:36

Maybe this is the turning point for you both.

Don't go mad overcompensating today. She was absolutely vile to you and behaved like a toddler. You deserve a huge apology.

Pumpkintopf · 01/06/2019 13:36

Op can you get some help and support for yourself too? You say your teen is having counselling but your own mh is affected - can your gp signpost you to some help?

SkiingIsHeaven · 01/06/2019 13:36

Tell her that you said it to shock her because she has gone too far .

Tell her that her behaviour is unacceptable and this was something you said to make her realise that.

Good luck. My DD is a total nightmare too. I have faith that she will come out of the other side soon.

Windygate · 01/06/2019 13:37

This is domestic abuse and violence, you and DD2 are victims of DD2's behaviour.
You need to protect DD2 and yourself, could DD1 go to her father's?

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 01/06/2019 13:37

Ok, you really have to get your cry over and pull yourself together and I mean that kindly.
She will only use this against you. Her stress is not an excuse for this and I wonder whether you have been too understanding?

DuchessOfBallybrack · 01/06/2019 13:37

Purpleballetshoes, she's really pushing you. It's like she wants you to have a reaction. That sounds quite narcissistic of her.

I'd keep your heartbreak private. Sounds awfully cold but if she is developing narc traits she needs to learn now before it's too late that this pushes people away.

I'd go and spend a night in a hotel wiht a pile of books the next time she calls you a cunt. Honestly there is a minimum level of common decency that even the angriest teenager needs to show you.

newjobnerves · 01/06/2019 13:37

@purpleballetshoes40 don't keep apologising, she's just using it against you. It's done. This is on her not you, don't let her manipulate you.

Messyisthenewtidy · 01/06/2019 13:38

Why is she autistic based on that?

I know it’s hard but you need to tell her to move out. You can’t live like this.

purpleballetshoes40 · 01/06/2019 13:39

Yes, I live with her Dad, happy marriage.
Yes, she's been having counselling for 4 years.
There are no ASD traits. She treats her friends really well.
My normal reaction is to tell her I hate the behaviour and that it's unacceptable. She doesn't care about consequences. She laughs at me when I'm angry about her behaviour, sometimes films it and sends it to her friends on snapchat. I can't ground her as she doesn't go out. When I remove her phone, she isn't bothered about that either.
The irony is I work with troubled teenagers, so am aware of the right way to deal with this sort of behaviour; doesn't work on my own child though, apparently. Yes, I know it's abnormal behaviour and the fact she's been like this for so long and has zero self awareness or remorse afterwards make me fearful for her future.

OP posts:
DuchessOfBallybrack · 01/06/2019 13:40

ps, also, the onus is now on you to ''prove'' you love her!

When everything has calmed down (and it will, a bit??) ask her what can you do to make her FEEL loved. Hopefully she can give you an answer.

I think I will ask my own 16 year old that. She often asks me in this anxious voice ''do you love me?'' and I feel sad and yes a bit exasperated that she asks me and that she doubts it.

So thank you, may sound bizarre, but this has given me an idea. Bon Courage. Sending you strength Brew