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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:
ChoudeBruxelles · 23/06/2019 22:41

She’s 13. Ds is 13. He’s been speaking to me like shit for days. I exploded earlier and he’s been contrite since. I’m not holding it against him. He’s 13. I’m 44.

Sit her down. Talk to her. Give her a way out. If she feels that you’ve given up on her then she has nothing to lose and may as well carry on being horrid

Mishappening · 23/06/2019 22:42

Any 13 year old girl is likely to be a challenge; but this lass has been through lots of upheaval.

Any 13 year old girls needs to know that they are loved unconditionally; but this lass needs to know this even more.

Rejecting her is the last thing she needs.

I know it is hard - I have had several 13 year old girls! - but you have to stick by her.

CharlotteCollinsneeLucas · 23/06/2019 22:45

Try to remind yourself that she is the only one who misses out if she's late to class. Take all the heat out of it: just call time-checks every now and then - you told her 40 mins, tell her again at 20, then 5, then time to go! But tell yourself over and over, it doesn't bother you, it doesn't affect you, stay calm. Let her take a few weeks making mistakes and see if she takes responsibility. If not, then that's the time to talk about not getting money's worth and maybe she would prefer to stop as she doesn't seem able to motivate herself to get out?

Natural consequences, that a PP mentioned - definitely the way to go. Give yourself space from her when she upsets you, be as calm as you can with her.

CharlotteCollinsneeLucas · 23/06/2019 22:50

Also, I divorced from a narc. If her father is one, then she needs you all the more to put her first consistently. That doesn't mean pander to her, but firm boundaries and unconditional love.

MissPollyHadADolly19 · 23/06/2019 22:51

I think you were well within your rights to ring the police. The house isn't yours, or hers, you're renting and it is criminal damage. No idea what planet some PPs are on Hmm what would she do next break the windows? Set things on fire? (Not uncommon!)
Well done OP for standing your ground.

All this bollocks about rejecting her etc etc no. She has 2 parents, she can go smash her dad's house up why should it always be you that deals with it? You are entitled to a peaceful life too OP don't ever forget that.

NeverTwerkNaked · 23/06/2019 22:55

Why ground her? Why not do consequences instead of punishment? So get her to pay for the new screen?
You needed a break, she needs time with her friends. We never got grounded as children.

I think you need to get her some counselling support and you need some parenting classes. It's not ok to be washing your hands of her just because you won't get money for her once she is 18.

With the dancing, leave her to deal with her teacher if she forgets stuff/has the wrong hair/is late - pick your battles.

NeverTwerkNaked · 23/06/2019 22:57

Also the explosive temper and need for lots of activity make me wonder if she might have adhd?

Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 23:13

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.

I didn't explain it very well. I had a long spell of not being in work so naturally it was hard to get any employment again. As my ex works shifts I have to be around for my children. It is quite difficult for me to get a full time job right now as I have just started out again. Even in supermarkets there are no full time contracts anymore.

I think you need to get her some counselling support and you need some parenting classes. It's not ok to be washing your hands of her just because you won't get money for her once she is 18.

I didn't mean I want to wash my hands of her now. I meant I can only afford to live where I live because I have dependent children. Right now it seems like 5 years left of dealing with her moods( I'm the main carer, we can't do 50/50 because he works shifts) then I'll literally be in abject poverty. Her Dad owns his home so he's all sorted. It just gets me down sometime. I stayed at home for many years because of his shifts then it was very difficult to get back into work. It just feels like I may as well give up now as the future is so bleak either way. I can't see how I will get through the next 5 years with my sanity intact.

OP posts:
Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 23:17

Also the explosive temper and need for lots of activity make me wonder if she might have adhd?

She is happy to lay on her bed with her phone at home though. I did read that adhd manifests differently in girls so it could be a possibility.

OP posts:
NeverTwerkNaked · 23/06/2019 23:18

Our son with ADHD would spend all day on his phone (if we let him)...

Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 23:22

I think you were well within your rights to ring the police. The house isn't yours, or hers, you're renting and it is criminal damage. No idea what planet some PPs are on hmm what would she do next break the windows? Set things on fire? (Not uncommon!)
Well done OP for standing your ground.

To be honest I was shocked at the hole in the door. I burst into tears. I'll never have a chance of getting a council house, this house is the best I can afford in the area so she is near to school. The neighbours are so nice too.

All this bollocks about rejecting her etc etc no. She has 2 parents, she can go smash her dad's house up why should it always be you that deals with it? You are entitled to a peaceful life too OP don't ever forget that.
My ex loves to twist the knife and blame me. Says she is fine at his house. Well once the police were called to his house because of her noise. I wish she would live with him, he loves to accuse me of theirs but is happy to bring her back here as he doesn't want her full time.

OP posts:
Severnlurveheart · 23/06/2019 23:24

Our son with ADHD would spend all day on his phone (if we let him)....

That's interesting, she is well behaved at school and not disruptive in her lessons. I will try and get a GP appointment this week.

OP posts:
PerfectPeony2 · 23/06/2019 23:27

She sounds very hard work, I’m sorry you’ve all had a difficult time but I think things will seem better in the morning. You can’t just kick her out and not let her back. 13 is so young and she needs to have stability. How come her Dad got the house in the divorce? Is he paying enough maintenance?

I agree with NeverTwerkNaked. Don’t escalate situations. Stay calm. Make her pay the money back for the iPad or do chores for it. Treat her like an adult (to an extent). Let her go to dance class without the bun- she’ll be the odd one out.

Have you sit down and openly discussed how she feels about the separation? My Mum was able to get counselling for us - is that something you could request through your GP?

PerfectPeony2 · 23/06/2019 23:29

I wish she would live with him, he loves to accuse me of theirs but is happy to bring her back here as he doesn't want her full time.

So neither parent wants her? That’s really sad and I’m sure she is aware of it.

MissPollyHadADolly19 · 23/06/2019 23:29

I don't blame you for being shocked at all, you do everything for your DD and to have her not only smash your tablet but also your house up must be heartbreaking. One day hopefully she will look back and realise how badly she has treated you.
In regards to her dad that's quite common. You are her "safe zone" she knows she can be as diabolical as they come but still have the love from her mother (a sign of good parenting although you may not feel it right now!) But it does not excuse her behaviour. She will learn OP just stand firm.

caringcarer · 23/06/2019 23:40

You sound desperate Op. I would sit dd down and explain that you love her very much but you need her to calm down and stop the dramatics. Remind her the house is only rented and when you leave you will have to make good any damage. I would cut dancing down to one night a week and only let her have two nights a week if the dramatics stop. Instead watch a film together with popcorn and hot chocolate. Do some Mum and daughter things together. Also ask her Dad for more help.

Severnlurveheart · 24/06/2019 06:16

@PerfectPeony2
We weren't married which is why I'm financially screwed. I do get maintenance.

He ended the relationship, I didn't choose to be a single parent, he has chosen this. I can't keep everything afloat when she's like this. I know I can't just give her up, social services have told me. He does ask if she wants to live with him but for some reason she wants to be with me. When she is at home she's on her phone in her room, she would drink the hot chocolate and disappear upstairs. She's just not pleasant to be around. All she wants to do is look at Instagram or Tic Tac.

OP posts:
GertrudeCB · 24/06/2019 06:33

Have you been to the gp and asked for support?
Oh and I would use loss of the phone as a sanction.

SaskiaRembrandt · 24/06/2019 06:44

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.

Have you spoken to your GP about this? He sounds desperately unhappy. I realise your daughter is monopolising your time and energy, but the focus should be on the child who doesn't want to be alive, and it might do her good to realise she isn't the centre of the universe.

You asked about ADHD - if she is behaving at school it suggests she doesn't have that - she cam behave when she chooses to. ADHD isn't something that can be turned on and off.

Oblomov19 · 24/06/2019 07:00

I feel for you. You need support. I fear there is little out there other than MN! Especially when she is 'fine' in school (as half the SN mums on here are told their kid is 'fine'!) and dad loves to twist the knife!

She sounds hard work. Temper at aged 13:making holes in airing cupboards and smashing tablets screens is not ok.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 24/06/2019 07:23

I agree with others about natural consequences: she breaks the door and smashes your tablet - she suffers the financial consequences of that (whatever that might be - do you pay for her phone? Does she get an allowance?) until the items are paid for. She doesn't get ready for dancing - she's late for dancing, or doesn't go if she delays beyond the time you've decided is reasonable to leave.

And yes, step back from her and spend some time and attention on your DS! Don't let the one capable of causing the most drama and being the most attention-seeking distract you from the one who I suspect really needs your help right now.

StillDumDeDumming · 24/06/2019 07:31

In regards to her dad that's quite common. You are her "safe zone" she knows she can be as diabolical as they come but still have the love from her mother (a sign of good parenting although you may not feel it right now!) But it does not excuse her behaviour. She will learn OP just stand firm

Also, I divorced from a narc. If her father is one, then she needs you all the more to put her first consistently. That doesn't mean pander to her, but firm boundaries and unconditional love

I came on here to pretty much say this. Unfortunately her dad treating you badly will affect her. I am going through similar. She will test and test you as she will have seen EA despite any efforts you may have made to hide it from the children. Her idea of relationships may well be skewed (all relationships). Firm boundaries and unconditional love are needed.

It is very tough and quite relentless. You need support. I doubt you’ll get that from children services.

My dd is 15 now. We have had some reasonable conversations recently about how she is confused by her dad and how she tests me to make sure I’m not the same. And now she’s taken herself off again and completely rejected me again.

You need support- maybe the GP?

AnnaFiveTowns · 24/06/2019 07:58

Has she ever been assessed for ADHD? Poor impulse control can be a feature, which then can lead to things getting broken. I know this from my own DS who has broken lpts of things in the past. For whatever reason, she's having a hard time; it helps me to think that rather than a child being "naughty" think of them as being "distressed" - when she does things like this she is clearly in a distressed state. I know it's bloody hard though and I feel for you and your son.

feathermucker · 24/06/2019 08:02

I'm sure this must be incredibly difficult to deal with on a regular basis.

However, I think taking her to dance after the attitude already shown to you on the day was a mistake. Sending her a text saying she's not welcome back at home isnt a great way to deal with things. Not trying to sound harsh.

What consequences have you introduced for previous bad behaviours?

cherryblossomgin · 24/06/2019 08:08

Your DD sounds like me as a teen. I was very aggressive and explosive. If something set me off I didn't know how to deal with the anger and I would lash out. I punched walls and threw things. It turns out that it was my anxiety disorders and I was quite unwell. I would get DD to a gp and see about getting to CAHMS or a mental health referral. I don't know how it works now. When mines started childhood mental health wasn't a thing so my mum didn't know what to do, we were all miserable. If it is mental health related it does get better. My mum is now my best friend.