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Teenagers

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

I feel such a failure. Don't want DD back home.

71 replies

Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 19:39

My dd is 13, she has always been an explosive child but since her dad and I split she's off the chart. I have been trying to hold everything together, get her to dance classes even though she can't be added to get ready. Her dance school isn't local so it's always a rush to get there. On Friday she took ages getting changed as usual but had an irrational meltdown about having a bun in her hair. I said her teacher insists on it and if she didn't wear one then I wouldn't take her. This made her very angry. After I had done her hair I decided to ws it in the car for her. I know now that she thought I was going to drive off without her. My son heard her go in my room and she smashed my tablet screen.
On the way to dance I asked if she needed her character shoes (she had also forgotten them the day before) as her teacher mentioned they would focus on 2 dances but I didn't hear which ones. I said I was happy to turn the car round so she could take her character shoes but just got a mouthful of abuse. When she got to dance I did tell the teacher how difficult she had been and she had a word with her about her being old enough to remember her stuff for dance. Dd shed a few tears and came to apologise but I think that was out of guilt for smashing my tablet.

It was much later on that evening when I discovered the screen on my tablet had been smashed. It's an old one that I don't use except for saving photos onto it.

She denied all knowledge of doing it. The next morning I said she was grounded and wouldn't be allowed to go to her friend's party. I was looking forward to having a break as it was a sleepover but I was very upset about my tablet.
Dd shouted and banged and slammed doors as usual. I threatened to call the police and she calmed down. The next time I left my room I noticed she had put a hole through the door of the airing cupboard. I was devastated. She also denied this. We have only been renting this house a few weeks and I'm terrified of being evicted.
I called the police straight away to report the criminal damage. My son rang his dad and he came to take her for a few hours but I said she can't come back as myself and ds don't feel safe.

I have texted her and said she's not welcome to come back as I can't risk her damaging the house again. My ex owns his home so isn't under as much threat as I am although the neighbours have reported them to the police when there's been arguments.

I feel like I was on borrowed time with her anyway, as soon as she's 18 I won't get help with housing costs and I have 2 part time jobs which fit round her dancing but they're not enough to live on without claiming for dependents. I feel like I may as well not be here if I can't live with DD anyway, I'll end up in a dire financial situation so life is always going to be hard. I am so scared. I really feel like I can't go on anymore.

OP posts:
Fairylea · 23/06/2019 19:43

Reporting your 13 year old dd for criminal damage for putting a hole in an airing cupboard seems very extreme to me! Shock

I think there is a lot going on here. What is she like at school? Is all this a new thing or has she always been like this? Does she get any fun 1 on 1 time with you? It all sounds horribly intense.

bigchris · 23/06/2019 19:49

I feel like I was on borrowed time with her anyway, as soon as she's 18 I won't get help with housing costs and I have 2 part time jobs which fit round her dancing but they're not enough to live on without claiming for dependents. I feel like I may as well not be here if I can't live with DD anyway, I'll end up in a dire financial situation so life is always going to be hard. I am so scared. I really feel like I can't go on anymore

She's 13 and you've given up on her, it's not about the money , do you know how much she can change in 5 years?? She needs her mum
.I'd only call the police if you were scared which it sounds like you were
You need to take her to the gp, get a referral for camhs, ask about local parenting groups
I've been through similar and there are loads of people willing to help but you need to fight to get that he'll and always show your dd you 're on her side

Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 19:53

Reporting your 13 year old dd for criminal damage for putting a hole in an airing cupboard seems very extreme to me! shock

Really?? So am I supposed to let her just carry on without any consequences? I sent this house, the inventory has 400 odd photos on it and the letting agents come in and check. I want her to know the gravity of her behaviour.

I think there is a lot going on here. What is she like at school? Is all this a new thing or has she always been like this? Does she get any fun 1 on 1 time with you? It all sounds horribly intense.

I saud she has alway been explosive but she has become much worse simce thw split. She behaves fine at school which is why I am not getting support with her at home. We do have fun 1 on 1 time when she with me at weekends. I have to drive her to dance and girl guides, it's her choice to dance and attend guides, she didn't like the very good local dance school that we found , I can drive her there but she needs to cooperate and get herself ready in time instead of lying in her bed on her phone the minute she comes home from school. Yes it is all horribly intense for me as well, I go to work then don't get any down time in the evenings at all because of her activities.

OP posts:
DipDabLollyPop · 23/06/2019 19:55

Please contact the school and ask to speak with the safeguarding lead who will be able to support you. Contact Family Solutions team part of your county council I think. Contact any group/organisation you can, they are there to help not take your kids away so don't fret about that. Seek help and they will help you. Xxx

DipDabLollyPop · 23/06/2019 19:56

I'd also maybe put yourself first, stop the guides and dance see if she gets the message.

Fairylea · 23/06/2019 19:57

Surely a more fitting punishment for her breaking things is just not to take her to guides or dance if it’s that important to her?

Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 19:59

She's 13 and you've given up on her, it's not about the money , do you know how much she can change in 5 years?? She needs her mum
.I'd only call the police if you were scared which it sounds like you were
You need to take her to the gp, get a referral for camhs, ask about local parenting groups
I've been through similar and there are loads of people willing to help but you need to fight to get that he'll and always show your dd you 're on her side

No it's not just the money but her dad works shifts so I had to get jobs to fit round the children and they are quite low paid. I have asked for help from social services. They did an assessment but I've heard nothing. She already sees well being at school
It's not that I have given up on her but she has shown no remorse, to her I am in the wrong because she couldn't go to the party. I am scared, I'm scared of her damaging the house, attacking me and her brother. She has injured me in the past. I have to think of his needs too.

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 23/06/2019 20:01

Is her far happy to keep her there for a while? Is he close enough to get her to school and will be facilitate dancing? Is she enjoying dancing? It seems like a big flash point and there’s no point putting yourselves through it if it’s not worth it.

Is your DS younger?

You’re all having a rough time and a recent move is more upheaval. Don’t write her off, 13 is a difficult age.

Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 20:04

I'd also maybe put yourself first, stop the guides and dance see if she gets the message.
Surely a more fitting punishment for her breaking things is just not to take her to guides or dance if it’s that important to her?
Yeah I did stop her gping to Street dance but her dad takes her in his weekend. When she was younger we noticed she behaves worse when she doesn't get the exercise at dance. I have said I will only take her to her grade and Pointe class and the other night of ballet will have to go.

OP posts:
purplebutterfly90 · 23/06/2019 20:08

I don't have a teenager (yet😅) so not very experienced in this department but just wanted to say that the fact that you're here means you care and want the best for your daughter. No one can judge you if they haven't walked in your shoes. Sending strength from one Mum to another x

Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 20:09

Is her far happy to keep her there for a while? Is he close enough to get her to school and will be facilitate dancing? Is she enjoying dancing? It seems like a big flash point and there’s no point putting yourselves through it if it’s not worth it.
His house is close enough for school but he works shifts

Is your DS younger?
He has just finished his GCSEs and is struggling too he keeps it in but he is feeling down and sometimes says he doesn't see the point if being alive.

You’re all having a rough time and a recent move is more upheaval. Don’t write her off, 13 is a difficult age.
We have moved twice in the past 5 months, I was feeling much stronger as we were overcrowded in the old rental and I had to share a room with DD. She seemed so much happier in the last few weeks and Friday's behaviour was kimd of out of the blue.

OP posts:
Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 20:14

I don't have a teenager (yet😅) so not very experienced in this department but just wanted to say that the fact that you're here means you care and want the best for your daughter. No one can judge you if they haven't walked in your shoes. Sending strength from one Mum to another x

Thank you so much. I have an older dd who is 22, my daughters are like chalk and cheese.

I just don't feel I can cope any more x

OP posts:
Ooogetyooo · 23/06/2019 20:21

We have had similar to what you describe.
What works for us ( mostly ) : step right back . If she's not keen to go to her classes just walk away 'ok that's your choice ' ( yes I know exercise helps them to regulate etc)
Natural consequences happen ie you broke the door now I have to spend money to replace it so I guess that means I don't have money to take you to the cinema / meal out or whatever.
Don't escalate a situation when she's already bubbling and argumentative. Back off and give space . Lots of breathing . But yeah she's 13 and got raging hormones . Please don't make her stay away.

Villanellesproudmum · 23/06/2019 20:32

What happened with the Police? Sounds like a lot of upheaval going on in all your lives.

Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 21:02

She does want to dance, she just can't be arsed to get changed. I might say we need to set off in 40 minutes and she will lie on her bed for half and hour then take ages to get ready. She might have a future in dance if she really wants it but right now it's about how she looks and the social side.
If she isn't going to be organised then I will treat it as a once a week hobby. If she was passionate about it I would happily drive her around 7 days a week.

OP posts:
Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 21:04

What happened with the Police? Sounds like a lot of upheaval going on in all your lives.
I've got incident numbers but it was a 101 call and they didn't come out. They said if she does it again to dial 999.

OP posts:
SuzieQ10 · 23/06/2019 21:11

Can not believe you called the police on your 13 year old child for putting a hole in an cupboard door. Way OTT op.

mcmen71 · 23/06/2019 21:21

Hi there is another thread in the teenagers section which is a great help to lots of us parents in similar situations you are not alone. Teenagers drive us mad but stay strong when shes calmer take her out and talk it all through with her and her dad get him to have her more and your ds. Maybe she could stop dance for a year and think about what she wants.

Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 21:25

Can not believe you called the police on your 13 year old child for putting a hole in an cupboard door. Way OTT op.

She needs to know there are consequences. I told social services I was scared of being evicted as she would cause damage to my house and I was right to be. The police will now refer this incident to them so they might actually offer some support.
If I took her phone as a punishment she would assault me. It's happened before.

OP posts:
Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 22:06

Hi there is another thread in the teenagers section which is a great help to lots of us parents in similar situations you are not alone. Teenagers drive us mad but stay strong when shes calmer take her out and talk it all through with her and her dad get him to have her more and your ds. Maybe she could stop dance for a year and think about what she wants.

Thanks. I didn't know there were other people in The same situation unitlI saw that thread. I did read it a while ago but have to catch up.

Dd has come home. I said she needed to admit to what she had done. She vehemently denied smashing the tablet. Her Dad believed her. She came in to get school stuff then said she didn't want to leave. I said she needed to own up to what she had done so she said she may have accidentally stepped on my tablet. I asked her to tell the truth to her dad as she's manipulated him all weekend but then he has used it to get at me as he is EA and Narc.
She is happily in her room. In the past behaviour like this would have made me feel angry but this time I just feel so hurt by what she has done. I literally broke down sobbing when I saw the hole in the door.

Hi there is another thread in the teenagers section which is a great help to lots of us parents in similar situations you are not alone. Teenagers drive us mad but stay strong when shes calmer take her out and talk it all through with her and her dad get him to have her more and your ds. Maybe she could stop dance for a year and think about what she wants

Thanks, I have seen that thread but need to catch up on it.
DD has come home. She came in to get school stuff then said she wanted to stay. I got her to own up to what she had done so she said she may have accidentally stepped on my tablet. She had manipulated her dad into believing her so I asked her to confess to him. He is Narc and an EA so used the events to get at me anyway.

OP posts:
mcmen71 · 23/06/2019 22:18

Hope use can talk when things are calmer and your ds is ok too.
Hope you get some help and read the other thread you will see its not just your dd.

Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 22:19

Sorry, thought my first reply had been lost!

OP posts:
Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 22:23

@mcmen71
Thanks. I think I'll have a read of it now.

OP posts:
popsadaisy · 23/06/2019 22:28

13 years old is a difficult age for any teenager but especially one who is still grieving for the break up of their parents. I sympathise with you that she clearly isn't easy to live with but I think you maybe need to take a different approach? Show her some love and understanding. Have you ever heard of the Solihull approach? It might be worth googling, as I would be useless at explaining it but I found it very useful and informative and gives you an insight into exactly what's going on in a baby/child/teenagers developing brain. Don't give up on her!

DelphiniumBlue · 23/06/2019 22:36

It sounds horrible.
Can you take the focus off her for a bit and onto yourself?
It seems ridiculous that you are living in poverty because you are working around her dancing. You say there is a good dance school locally - if she went to that she could get herself there, and you could work at that time. It's doing her no good being so dependent on you to run her around, and It would avoid conflict if you were actually not there at the times she needs to go.
Get yourself a full-time job and she'll have to sort herself out.

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