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Teenagers

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

My teen and I barely talk to each other

28 replies

Currysauceandchips · 01/04/2021 14:21

My DD 14 is very different to me- nothing wrong with that if she towed the line. She gets into trouble at school, has detentions for arriving late to lessons, being rude to teachers, missing homework deadlines and being a bit of a bully. Her and her gang of mates laugh at people who aren't as cool as them and they come across as quite intimidating. She doesn't show any interest in family life and argues with me when I make simple requests, like putting her crockery in the dishwasher and bringing her washing down, which she ignores anyway so what's the point in me asking?
I am so tired of it all now that I just can't be bothered to talk to her anymore. I am quite introvert and cannot relate to her in the slightest, so we now barely speak. She thinks I nag and I think she is rude. When we are in the same room, we ignore each other. I just don't like her and I know she doesn't like me.
I can't wait for her to leave home.Blush

OP posts:
SnuggyBuggy · 02/04/2021 08:30

It might be worth thinking about where the feelings of humiliation come from

Lilactimes · 02/04/2021 11:28

Agree with Junebirthdaygirl and hollowtalk.
Hang in there, stay calm, be the mum you want to be, start each day afresh. Have boundaries but let the small things slide. Have something you can watch together - my daughter and I watched BTS videos every evening for 30 mins and this restarted our communication when she was difficult at 13/14/15. Things much better now at 17. I definitely had to learn to be the bigger person, stay calm and offer unconditional love. Sounds like out of school she is attention grabbing and doing what she can get away with. She’s 14, get some support for yourself but don’t check out on her. There’s nothing worse than being that age and feeling your mum hates you. Good luck sending you lots of strength xx

InsufferablePerformanceFather · 02/04/2021 14:01

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. The one thing I would say is that you need to separate the concept of her from her behaviour. When you think it through, when you talk to her, you need to be honest and open about how you feel about her behaviour choices whilst always maintaining that you love her and know she is so much better than her behaviour.
Consistent and firm boundaries are essential as are properly divided behaviour expectations.
Lastly, pick your battles. Do not accept her treating you badly but don't miss an opportunity to praise good choices.

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