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Teenagers

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

Thread Four: Holding on to the end of the rope

479 replies

Pegsinarow · 07/02/2020 15:35

Hello PoTs!

I am so very sorry to have been absent from the second half of thread three. I've been a overwhelmed by rl: some good, some bad and some a bit ugly! Confused
I hope you are all doing as well as possible in the circumstances.

I saw thread three was on 998 posts and thought I had better start up thread four here!

I'll catch up in a bit but for now the previous threads were as follows:

Thread one here

Thread two here

Thread three here

Welcome back and feel free to vent here! And I'll try to stick around a bit more ... .

OP posts:
Andi2020 · 03/04/2020 18:42

@sausagecrush I am old name also mcmen
Is your dd doing GCSE my daughter was too but all cancelled and she gets no work from school at all.
She cried when exams where cancelled really missing friends.
My other 2 not keen on school but doing a bit at home

SausageCrush · 04/04/2020 16:50

Thanks Andi and Aramox,

It's hard for everyone, I know, but especially some teens who don't have the life experience or self esteem to climb out of the void.

I'm a bit disappointed with school. All they do on the work front is keep sending more and more exams questions and essays. A couple have said this is for everyone and Dd doesn't need to worry, but of course she does...

The head of pastoral support sent a very nice email saying how sorry they were to hear that Dd was struggling and that she could go to them any time to chat. She hasn't and she won't.

She did GCSE's last year so is in between big exam years at the moment.

The worry about our Dc is much worse for parents atm when none of our usual escapes are available in the same way. I am really missing swimming and seeing friends, but on the plus side the kitchen is looking cleaner than ever 😁

Chins up all; we are resilient, we can do this!

Pegsinarow · 13/04/2020 12:37

Hello everyone! A belated Happy Easter to you all!

How is your Easter "holiday" going? And how are everyone's teens coping as the lockdown continues? Things are fairly ok with dd here atm [touch wood] and she is fairly sanguine about things so far.

Again, apologies for being on here so intermittently. Dh and I are self-employed and we are trying to keep the business going the same but with fewer staff, so we are working longer hours than usual.

First of all a big "hello" to @Andi2020! Nc noted! How are things going with you and your dds? I'm sorry one of your dds was understandably upset about GCSEs and is missing school. Mine isn't missing school at all, but like your daughter, is missing her friends a lot.

And welcome back @Sausagecrush (great nn!). Oh that's got to be so disappointing and frustrating to see your daughter's mh improve so much and her getting on at school better, only to have all her (and your!) good work set back by the lockdown. How is your dd doing now?

I have to say, I am a bit disappointed with our school as well. The technology isn't up to snuff (about 20 yrs behind everyone else it seems!) and the pupils have been overwhelmed with the amount of work sent through at one touch of the button, with no explanation.

We are waiting for the gov here to make a decision this Wed as to when schools will open up again bearing in mind that the last day of June is always the last day of the academic year here! (So not much time left!) And dd is still waiting to hear about end of year exams. It is quite stressful tbh to keep the teens wondering and waiting and I wish they had done the same as the UK and made a definitive decision (however difficult that is for people) early on.

@Wowzers how are things going with your dd and with you? How are her eating patterns?

@vjg13 how is your leg? Can you get out for walks now with your dog?

Waves to @Aramox and everyone else!

OP posts:
Pegsinarow · 13/04/2020 12:38

And thank you for the encouragement Sausagecrush!

Yes, we shall overcome! [Eventually] !

OP posts:
Aramox · 16/04/2020 08:10

Sounds stressful @Pegsinarow. I must say lockdown has helped distance us all from School and its demands- I am much more relaxed about it. Not necessarily helpful as ds has been fairly idle, but makes me realise how much stress it adds. I don’t do any active HE as ds won’t tolerate help, but I feel much less concerned about gcses etc.

9ofpentangles · 17/04/2020 07:40

It's a relief to be in here after being on social media too much and getting a distorted view of parenting through lockdown.

My 15 year old has taken to annoying her 11 year old brother several times a day because it's funny - especially when I am busy with something. I cannot ignore it as it's unfair on him plus she is relentless and doesn't stop even when he is screaming

Her skin has flared up with some sort of rash, which is playing on her insecure mind and, yesterday, she slammed the kitchen door so many times , she busted the frame.Her outbursts are often out of the blue so I have no way of pre empting them and I'm usually to late to stop the damage as it's invariably when I can't just drop everything. It's hell. It's like having a toddler.

Somebody tell me they've been through this and come out the other side . I am ready to walk even though my only option in this lockdown would be to sleep rough

Pegsinarow · 17/04/2020 09:30

Hi there 9ofpentangles sorry you are having a torturous time atm which sounds hellish for you. Just like some adults, some teens are finding lockdown harder then others and are taking out all their frustration on those they love the best. And yes, I totally agree about avoiding the bits of Mumsnet where compliant teens are cooking pancakes for their wee siblings, having done 45 mins of mindfulness meditation in the garden , before settling happily down to their ancient history study followed by flute practice. Please remember that (a) half of what you read is not entirely true or it is edited to gloss over the difficult bits (b) all teens are different and those that cope well with lockdown, may not cope well in a different situation such as moving away and are storing up their melt-downs for the future Grin (c) their brains aren't fully formed yet until around 24 yrs of age, and some are just unable, biologically speaking, to think beyond themselves yet.

Maybe it's a protective effect, a bit like toddlers whose eating habits change once they are able to roam a bit further? Maybe teens can only think of themselves at a time when often (developmentally speaking) they are leaving the nest, because it's a risky time, and they need to keep themselves safe? An evolutionary behavioural sort of thing? Who knows?

It's really frustrating and disappointing though when you are relying on them, now they are older to step up a bit and "help" I a difficult situation, not make it worse. I remember feeling really really upset when I was in hospital for an op at the beginning of last year and was hoping my teen would help a bit at home, make things easier for her dad, cook a few meals after I had come home maybe. And generally she was just dreadful; even worse then normal. She had been well prepped about it. And as everything unfolded it was explained to her that her behaviour was unacceptable several times and it was explained why , and although I think she understood on an intellectual level she couldn't, or wouldn't, translate this in to action. Thinking about it still upsets me a year on tbh.

Is there anyone else in the extended family your dd could go to for a bit? It sounds like you could do with a break. And I see this morning that moving in with someone else is allowed under the UK guidelines if there is a lot of tension in the air. Even if it wouldn't be her first choice to stay with an aunt or whatever, it might help her appreciate what she has at home a bit more?

Hang in there, this situation will evolve and change, and she will mature and be able to handle things much better. Not until she has thrashed about on the end of the rope a bit though! One day at a time and all of that Flowers. And feel free to vent on here any time.

Aramox that's genuinely great to hear about a teen for whom lockdown has lifted some school related pressures! I imagine your ds is not alone in that. Great to be able to have a legitimised break from all the academic pressures!

@Andi2020 how are you and your girls doing? Sorry about the emboldening failure further down thread!

Things are much the same here. Lots of uncertainty over end of year exams. And ticking along generally ok until dd has an almighty meltdown which is pretty horrible and generally lasts two days - and results in 24 hrs of silent sulking all round - then it's back to business as usual ... . You'd think I'd be able to shrug it off by now, but it still gets to me every time ... .

Waves to all PoTs 👋

OP posts:
Wowzersindeed · 17/04/2020 12:14

Hello @9ofpentangles, I promise you are not alone - in my house (two teenage DDs) we lurch between ok times and really, really hard ones, where I find myself feeling desperate to get away, too. Luckily I have a dog, so at the moment I take myself off out with her when I can see I’m getting drawn into another row (I try desperately hard not to, but often seem to end up shouting back at them, which makes me angry with myself for being so childish, etc etc). And @Pegsinarow is right, please please ignore any of the posts about anyone with ‘perfect’ teens doing wonderful things - nine times out of ten you won’t be seeing the full picture, but if it is genuine then it’s lovely for them, I guess, but it’s no help whatsoever to the rest of us. My eldest (17) has sudden meltdowns and is prone to bouts of mind-boggling selfishness, but I have noticed recently that she can be reasoned with more often now, and has even started to apologise sometimes (not something I ever anticipated happening). I appreciate everyone’s family is different, but your post struck a chord and sounded familiar, so I just wanted to send some support - I’m not out of the woods with my two yet, and I have a feeling that I probably won’t be for several years, but things are slowly shifting in a slightly more positive way, I think (I hope!).

Hi @Pegsinarow, thanks for asking after me - I’m OK, cheers, just finding it a bit of a struggle to (a) keep things calm at home and (b) re-learn all the social etiquette-type stuff I’ve spent decades trying to perfect... being a ‘below the radar’ middle-aged Mum with autism requires that I know how to navigate things like supermarket shopping without freaking out - I keep falling foul of things like the new social-distancing one-way system in my local Tesco (because, to me at least, it’s completely illogical, but I don’t think they’d appreciate me telling them there’s a more efficient way they could have designed it!). But small worries I guess, considering how much worse things could be. I hope all’s well with you, fingers crossed for your DD that the uncertainty with end-of-year exams is resolved in a good way.
Take care all 🌸🌻🌼

9ofpentangles · 18/04/2020 13:04

Thanks for all your support. It means a lot.

Yesterday was a big improvement and she confided in me what was worrying her.

Today, she's back to annoying her brother Hmm, though

sandwiches77 · 20/04/2020 11:51

DD nearly 18 struggling with anxiety and depression. Self care is zero and she spends all day in bed.... I'm struggling to cope with her, saying all the wrong things "get a grip" and similar. I'm just truly worried about her and at my wits end. She refused a trip to the Dr, CAHMS not interested

9ofpentangles · 20/04/2020 11:53

A lot of GPs are doing telephone consultations. As she still under 18, you could talk on her behalf

Pegsinarow · 20/04/2020 16:25

Hey Sandwiches77 sorry to hear your dd is struggling. And sorry that CAHMS are being so unhelpful too.

Have you looked on the Young Mind's website? They seem to be geared up to help with adolescents suffering during lockdown.

Advice on supporting your child during the Coronavirus Pandemic: here

And support for parents: here

There is a link for urgent help here

Self-care tips for young people (including a bit about Mental Health and Coronovirus) asking for help and low mood here

What to do if you are anxious about Corona: here

Contacts such as The Mix who offer support and listening for under 25s here

HTH and hang in there!

OP posts:
Pegsinarow · 20/04/2020 17:22

Glad to hear things have improved a bit for now 9ofpentangles!
Don't get despondent if it continues to be very up and down for a bit. Such is the nature of the beast. Confused Gin

I am always quoting the book "Untangled" on here by Lisa Damour - I keep re-reading it to keep me sane - and there is a really helpful bit (well I find it helpful anyway) about how 'our daughters' "broadcasts" match what she actually experiences inwardly'. Basically she is living through a prism of very intense feelings - she is shit scared by the intensity of her emotions and worried she is going crazy - and often manages these feelings by dumping the most uncomfortable ones on us. Basically they transfer their discomfort by making us feel it. ie they toss us an emotional hot potato. This process is called externalization apparently and often happens unconsciously ie I feel frustrated and generally shit - I don't know what to do about these feelings - so I will pass them on to you for a bit because I need a break from being upset.

Externalization apparently makes adolescence more manageable for the teen by not only making their parent aware of their internal distress, conflicts and bemusement, but actually making them experience and feel them for a while too. That is why it is such a thankless and wearisome and distressing task for us sometimes to be on the receiving end of an outburst.

The point of me (semi) quoting Lisa Damour is that it helps me to remember that when I am on the wrong end of one of dd's outbursts (and desperately trying not to offer solutions just listening!! - something that I find very hard) although unpleasant to hear, it can be something that helps her.

Therefore Sandwiches77 what I am saying is that just by being there and listening and being concerned, even if you don't receive any acknowledgement or reaction from your teen, you may be having more of a positive effect than you think. Flowers It is distressing for you, but it may be helpful to know that your worry and distress serves a purpose in that it gives your dd a break from feeling for a bit ifsywim. Flowers

Wowzers good to hear there is a glimmer of light on the horizon, albeit it is obscured a lot of the time. Exactly the same situation here! So sorry - I think I may have missed that about your autism previously - which sounds complex but also sounds as though you have some good coping strategies in hand too. I hope everything continues to improve bit by bit (I am resigned to the fact that the next five years are going to be very up and down indeed but hopefully the overall trend is up ifyswim) and wish the same for you too Flowers

Hang in there PoTs!

OP posts:
Andi2020 · 20/04/2020 18:08

@pegs thanks for the useful links haven't read them yet.
Back at homeschooling for my 3 today.
Day 1 went well.
Lovely weather so did some school outside.
All on gadgets now with friends.

sandwiches77 · 20/04/2020 18:37

Thanks everyone, had a look at the Young Minds website.

Had a chat with DD, apparently everything will be better for her once she has moved out to Uni Hmm tbh, it could be the making of her, but plenty at Uni with mental health issues... just have to wait and see

gandalf456 · 20/04/2020 19:32

I really rate Young Minds - they are ery good. I've found them easier to talk to than CAMHS and they're trained professionals, too

Pegsinarow · 20/04/2020 20:07

Really great you had a chat with your dd Sandwiches yay!

Good to hear day1 went well with your home-schooling Andi (It went ok in the main here, although dd has just had a bit of a meltdown about how different teachers are sending in LOADS of work and not communicating between themselves - so she is is in serious overload. I tried to sympathise and kept things very calm when I responded but it all blew up - she is like a porcupine atm ...she just has to offload and is so spiky!! Confused

Waves to Gandalf and to everyone else!

OP posts:
DorsetCamping · 28/04/2020 11:00

Really struggling with DS's attitude to home learning. He's in yr 10 and was moved to an independent school (at huge financial sacrifice) last year due to moderate special needs and associated school anxiety.

School currently has online lessons for 2 hours per day and is setting lots of marked homework. But it's like DS just doesn't give a shit. Gets up just in time for the lessons and does absolute bare minimum for homework. All feedback insists he needs to put in more effort despite being given loads of teaching support.

Get that this is a really difficult time, but he is already at a disadvantage having SEN but is now also losing full contact time with teachers. Being in yr 10, this lockdown is already likely to have a massive impact on his GCSEs but it's like he just doesn't want to help himself. None of his work is organised; books/paperwork/folders strewn everywhere. He's constantly flying around trying trying to find a document.

I have lost count of the times I've offered to help with revision or study skills, I just get accused of nagging. Trouble is my worries are totally being mirrored by his latest report. I've even said to him that come next summer examiners may well take into account school reports during lockdown to provide a rounded GCSE grade; ie all the more reason to make the effort now.

I don't expect brilliant grades at the end of yr 11 but am so worried he won't even get the bare minimum and the wake up call will come all too late.

Also Feel like we have done absolutely everything we possibly can to help him with school and it's just being thrown back in our faces.

Aramox · 03/05/2020 07:01

What a worry @DorsetCamping. With some SEN home learning becomes even more stressful. Does he have any sense of the outcomes- does he know why it matters? Is he possibly feeling defensive and anxious? Are there any subjects he’s doing well at that school and you can encourage? I know lots of kids are doing the bare minimum or less; perhaps school could do more to support his engagement?

Andi2020 · 10/05/2020 13:04

Hope everyone is doing well.

sandwiches77 · 17/05/2020 11:21

So SIL phoned yesterday and told me how wonderful her 3 DD are. Seems they play endless wholesome games during lockdown, no arguments. Graduated from Uni, got good jobs, boyfriend moved in during lockdown and SIL wholeheartedly approves of. It was like a knife to my heart. My 3 DC constantly argue and hate each other. DD continues to struggle with her mental health problems. Wish I could take away her pain, however I do seem to be the cause and she said she was going to move out and cut ties with us. - I know I shouldn't let SIL upset me and she has sugar-coated her life, just hit a nerve yesterday and I was really upset.

Andi2020 · 17/05/2020 13:20

Flowers sandwiches
Hold onto the rope.
Next time see sil contacts dont read her message and don't discuss your dd with her to make her feel good and you bad.
Teenagers are all different.
No one has it that easy and if hers are at uni they are not teenagers

ttwillpass · 01/06/2020 21:13

Hello all and thank you for the "hang on to the rope threads".
We fell out with DD over some school course work four months ago and the situation has deteriorated since. DD is now only communicating (and being rude, threatening and obnoxious) by text. I have tried to invite her to a family meeting to discuss things, as someone from YoungMinds suggested it would help, but she refuses to meet and discuss anything with such rude and awful people...any advice?

Andi2020 · 01/06/2020 23:19

@ttwillpass sorry to hear you are hav ill ng a hard time.
What year group is your dd
Or is she at college
My dd1 has done nothing for school work since GCSE where cancelled
She was doing baking and cooking dinners learn to type. Driving theory and sign language but since ease in lockdown in RoiNi she has done nothing but socialise been cheeky to get her own way. Threats to run away if I don't give in. Threats off suicide then she cries if I say she needs help. She says it's all my fault if I let her do what she wants she wouldn't feel like this.
So us parents all get the blame.
I mostly have to give in to her with the fear off what she might do.
I went out to play with my ds today left Mobile in house came in to 15 messages 5 missed calls then she rang house because I told her I was not happy with the area she was hanging around.
She is currently across hall from me snapping in abuse

ttwillpass · 01/06/2020 23:29

Hang in there @Andi2020. I am sorry you are having a tough time too.

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