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Teenagers

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

AIBU Feel so hurt and rejected by teenage DD

305 replies

pigalow · 05/12/2021 09:52

I am feeling so hurt and rejected by my teenage daughter. I cry most days and just don’t know how to make things better. We were very close until she was about 14 or 14 1/2 and then things changed. She was always a very loving and affectionate child who would give big hugs or watch a film snuggled together. She now will not make eye contact, literally gives me a cold (bony) shoulder if I try to give her a hug goodnight or before school. I miss her so much. She will not speak about this at all. If I try to explain that I feel hurt and that I would like us to try to be close again and make an effort to make memories, she tells me to go away or literally blanks me putting earphones in and acting as if I’m not there. She still expects me to drop everything to help if she has a problem. I spent hours last year helping her write revision notes and cards as she was behind and couldn’t do it all in time for her GCSE exams. She said thank you but in an offhand way not really seeming to mean it. She seems very entitled and takes anything that others do for her as her right and never seems prepared to put herself out for others. For example she knows how much I like going out for a shopping and lunch trip and how this would mean a lot to me but she won’t spend any time with me as ‘she doesn’t want to.’
I try really hard to give her anything she needs in reason - money to go out with friends, clothes, make up, money for nails etc. I spent hours and hours helping her with her GCSEs. Am I being selfish or unreasonable to expect a bit of love in return?

OP posts:
discoland · 05/12/2021 16:47

*Ah, I think my mum is a bit like this. She'd pictured us in the future going shopping together, having girly lunches out, and getting our nails done/spa days.

In reality we are nothing alike. Clothes shopping is my idea of hell, im not "girly" and I don't want my nails done or to go on spa days. We don't have the same interests at all.*

Same here. And whilst I love my mum and have a good relationship with her I have my own friends and separate social life.

Reminds me also of the expectations on threads about choosing wedding dresses with your daughter or being nearby and extra-close with future grandchildren. It’s all a load of heavy expectations that aren’t guaranteed.

noirchatsdeux · 05/12/2021 16:48

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow You've not met my mother. I'm 53 and she's exactly like this. She still brings up silly things I said when I was 9.

Pascal80 · 05/12/2021 16:49

@corblimeygov

Well here I am. Can't say I was expecting the responses but have read them all . To me, it's odd that so many of you think so one person can be mean and spiteful and make me so upset but it must just be swept under the carpet as my feelings obviously don't matter. Well ok , I'll take your comments onboard an ditch my feelings book.
Me me my ME ME ME. It's your daughter ffs.
VickyEadieofThigh · 05/12/2021 16:49

@corblimeygov

Mine did this too. She's starting to mellow but it's a long road. Try not to let it get to you ( easier said than done I know ) I started an incident diary and wrote down what was done/said and how it made me feel, this way I can see now that it's not as bad as it was. One day I'll bind it up and give it to her. So she can prepare for the same onslaught if she has a daughter. I dare say there will be some big tears all round that day. Stay strong . It will end. Eventually.
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO Unless you really want to drive a wedge between you that will last a very long time.
CoachBeardless · 05/12/2021 16:50

@discoland

*Ah, I think my mum is a bit like this. She'd pictured us in the future going shopping together, having girly lunches out, and getting our nails done/spa days.

In reality we are nothing alike. Clothes shopping is my idea of hell, im not "girly" and I don't want my nails done or to go on spa days. We don't have the same interests at all.*

Same here. And whilst I love my mum and have a good relationship with her I have my own friends and separate social life.

Reminds me also of the expectations on threads about choosing wedding dresses with your daughter or being nearby and extra-close with future grandchildren. It’s all a load of heavy expectations that aren’t guaranteed.

Exactly!

I bought my wedding dress 2nd hand online. Dress shopping would be my nightmare. My mum was gutted, she wanted us to visit shops and to see my trying dresses on.

I've had to remind her several times that this is my wedding. I hate trying on clothes and was happy to buy a vintage dress online for £90.

She's very disappointed that this is the daughter she got.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 05/12/2021 16:51

[quote noirchatsdeux]@MissLucyEyelesbarrow You've not met my mother. I'm 53 and she's exactly like this. She still brings up silly things I said when I was 9.[/quote]
My mother has never voluntarily spent even 5 minutes with me, if she could avoid it. I guess there is a happy medium to be struck!

Tropicaltutu · 05/12/2021 16:51

We had been very very close as my husband works away and there is a 15 year gap with my older daughter. I had a newborn and a toddler when she was a teen so I didn't really have time to notice if she was distant.

What about your older daughter - is she up for the things you want to do now?

In general it appears you want a friend and a carbon copy of you. You see the relationship as transactional as you would with a partner or friend but of course this cannot be, nor is it healthy so you will always be upset and ultimately push her away.

You do stuff for children because you are parent. You don’t get things back. She shouldn’t be rude but this may be because she feels smothered. Or and I hope not, possibly you’ve focused on her to the detriment of her siblings. You build their wings so one day they fly. You need to build your own life so that she isn’t forced to fill the void. It’s a one way ticket to resentment.

Bunnyfuller · 05/12/2021 16:52

Just back from a day taking my 15 yr out ‘to cheer her up’. As usual, it didn’t, and we spent an hour in Cambridge in the bitter weather, racing around because she doesn’t like ‘looking at things’. The trip was her idea. She’s come home and disappeared without a word of thanks. An hour there and back, a silent lunch and I’m knackered.

In a sick way it’s nice to know I’m not Ali e, but Lord, why do they have to be so awful with it?

Hugs op Flowers

HighlandPony · 05/12/2021 16:53

@pigalow

I think I do these things for her because of the ideology of unconditional love and motherhood being sacrificial that has been created. I do them willingly enough but then later feel upset if I text, could you make me a tea as I'm lying down with a headache to get a 'get it yourself; I'm not here to look after you' response.
It really doesn’t seem to me like she’s that bad. A typical response to that from my teenage self or my peer group 20 years ago was always “what did your last slave die of?” Maybe a bit more effing and blinding in the middle. Any teenager who had to babysit siblings or neighbours kids declared they were never having kids (I’m currently pregnant with another so that worked out well…. Not) and we all lived selfishly. It’s a phase. She will grow out of it. At least she’s not getting in Vauxhall novas with older boys going to raves in abandoned warehouses doing acid.
Laburnam · 05/12/2021 16:53

A teenager will only be concentrating on how she feels.
Give her the space and time and love .
She will not appreciate your neediness and suffocation. When she comes through this as it’s normal development your behaviour could ultimately affect the grown up relationship you will ultimately have together

WildMaryBerriesWithBrandyCream · 05/12/2021 16:54

Sorry you are suffering OP!

First-It sounds as if you need some really good friends of your own -for spas and shopping etc.( and comparing notes on impossible children perhaps). You need adult friendship.

(You can't rely on a teen daughter for all this.)

You have been a great parent so far -and provided her with the support and confidence-building she needed.

Your daughter needs something new now.

She needs to break away from you (for a while) to find out more about herself. It does not mean she doesn't love you. It is a normal developmental step.

She really needs you to step back and not to be needy or try and make her guilty. Be strong - and wait -and don't get resentful . This will protect the relationship you have nurtured over the years.

She will be back.

Butchyrestingface · 05/12/2021 16:55

@corblimeygov

Mine did this too. She's starting to mellow but it's a long road. Try not to let it get to you ( easier said than done I know ) I started an incident diary and wrote down what was done/said and how it made me feel, this way I can see now that it's not as bad as it was. One day I'll bind it up and give it to her. So she can prepare for the same onslaught if she has a daughter. I dare say there will be some big tears all round that day. Stay strong . It will end. Eventually.
You may find out she's got a forensic level analysis to hand over to you.

I wasn't exactly kind about my parents in my teenage diary. Never actually considered handing over chronicles of "What my bitch mother did today to make me cry" for some bedtime reading in later years. Obviously missed a trick there. ¯\(ツ)

Igmum · 05/12/2021 16:58

My DD is 15 and it certainly feels like that sometimes. It sounds like you do a lot for and with her. I keep telling myself that this is a necessary developmental stage otherwise they would never leave home (also that I was far far worse to my mum at that age). Sending hugs OP we parents of teens are all with you Thanks

tara66 · 05/12/2021 16:59

Your child is not your 'companion'. Your interests are not what she wants for herself. Get your own friends and let her live her own life with people her own age. UABU

MrsLarry · 05/12/2021 16:59

[quote pigalow]@FictionalCharacter I try not to make her feel guilty but feel very despondent when I try to initiate days out I think she'd enjoy to be met with no enthusiasm at all. She dances and used to like musical theatre shows or contemporary dance; now she says she can't be arsed as it means getting up and getting dressed to go at a specific time.
I wonder if she is perhaps depressed as she has very little real enthusiasm for anything much. She seems to like gatherings at her friends' houses and her friendship group are doing a 'friends' Christmas day' with a lunch they're cooking themselves. [/quote]
No. She's not depressed!! She's a normal teenager exhibiting normal teenage behaviour. Leave the poor girl alone!

Cameleongirl · 05/12/2021 16:59

I’m just reiterating what others have said-she’s your daughter, not your friend, and part of our job as parents is to let them do their own thing. My DD (16) rolls her eyes if I ask her to make me a drink, but she expects me to do it for her…because she’s a teenager!😂

I expect you’ll become closer again as she grows up, but don’t force it now. DD has commented that one of her friend’s Mums often behaves as if she’s part of their friendship group, and DD much prefers that I don’t do that. We sometimes do things together-we saw a film together recently -but only now and then, when it’s something of mutual interest. Most of our socializing is with friends of our own ages.

Hang in there, OP, and please don’t build up resentment or keep a diary of slights, it’s a recipe for disaster.

FabriqueBelgique · 05/12/2021 16:59

She’ll come back to you 💐

You might benefit from letting her see you happily getting on with your own life, so the pressure is off her and she sees you as a human being, not just Mum.

You need to let this “separation” happen. It’s the natural order, it’s how she becomes a strong independent woman. I know it hurts!

ILoveHuskies · 05/12/2021 17:00

@Bunnyfuller

Just back from a day taking my 15 yr out ‘to cheer her up’. As usual, it didn’t, and we spent an hour in Cambridge in the bitter weather, racing around because she doesn’t like ‘looking at things’. The trip was her idea. She’s come home and disappeared without a word of thanks. An hour there and back, a silent lunch and I’m knackered.

In a sick way it’s nice to know I’m not Ali e, but Lord, why do they have to be so awful with it?

Hugs op Flowers

I did this with mine recently (except was Birmingham)

Spent a fortune, went for lunch, train there and back and all sorts, lots of my hard earned cash dropped in urban outfitters and selfridges, she still had a face like a smacked arse much of the day and no voluntary thank you from her or anything

Anyone who says they wouldn't be / aren't hurt by this sort of shit behaviour from their kid is a liar 🤥

DoubleTweenQueen · 05/12/2021 17:01

I approach this by:
Not taking it personally

Letting her know she’s loved by small acts of kindness

Taking every opportunity to get a crack of a smile by being silly/embarrassing (although never in front of her friends)

Taking an interest if she wants to share or chat, randomly

Just being supportive and in the background mostly, and facilitating interests/seeing her friends

But that doesn’t mean rudeness or bad behaviour is ok.

Snuggledupforwinter · 05/12/2021 17:04

Your neediness is rightly making her feel claustrophobic and irritable. She's at the stage in her development where she wants to be with her friends more than her mum and so the power in the relationship is with her because you need her more than she wants to be with you. Maybe work on your friendships with other family or friends and hobbies of your own so that you're not pressurising her into a sort of relationship she no longer wants (but may come back to when she's older).

Cameleongirl · 05/12/2021 17:04

@ILoveHuskies. I’ve been there too! I’ve discovered that it’s much easier to transfer some money to her account, take her and a couple of friends to the shops….and drop them off! I go and do something else while they’re shopping!🤣

PrincessConsuelaBanana · 05/12/2021 17:06

@corblimeygov

Mine did this too. She's starting to mellow but it's a long road. Try not to let it get to you ( easier said than done I know ) I started an incident diary and wrote down what was done/said and how it made me feel, this way I can see now that it's not as bad as it was. One day I'll bind it up and give it to her. So she can prepare for the same onslaught if she has a daughter. I dare say there will be some big tears all round that day. Stay strong . It will end. Eventually.
You probably mean this with the best of intentions (I hope!) but please don’t do this...!! It’s a dreadful idea.
Catsstillrock · 05/12/2021 17:14

While some teenage eye rolling attitude and distance is normal, I don’t think constant refusal to engage or be affectionate or respectful at all is normal.

From the learning about parenting I’ve done stuff can come out in the teenage years from younger years. Stuff you thought was fine but actually bothered them but was too complex for them to describe or you made it clear you didn’t want to hear.

An example. I was away when my gcse results came out. I asked my parents to wait until I got home, not open them and read them down the phone to me. When I got home, I took them to the bathroom, locked myself in and opened them alone.

I did v well but there disnt matter: My mum was upset I didn’t want to open them with her and has never let me forget it. She still brings it up now and I’m in my mid 40s.

I tend to grey rock these kind of stories and she assumes I now agree I was being outrageous.

I do not. I would do the same again and now see more clearly WHY I did it. To have my achievement be my own moment and not all about her.

She tends to make most things about me about her.

This pattern has continued in my adult life and she has had little involvement and sometimes zero knowledge of significant things (I kept her out of my pregnancies and I chose to tell her nothing of my struggles to conceive or multiple miscarriages).

Keeping a diary of events as an outlet for your feelings is one thing. A more positive next step would be trying to see things from her point of view.

Are you smothering her? Looking for validation from her? Looking for your own hang ups and insecurities to be reflected by her?

My mum did all these things, and it continues to this day.

If you want a good relationship with your daughter as she becomes an adult you need to look hard at yourself and your part in this.

Get some therapy?

TiddlesTheTiger · 05/12/2021 17:15

I started an incident diary and wrote down what was done/said and how it made me feel

It didn't make you feel anything.
Your reaction is your own responsibility.

pigelow your daughter doesn't want to be your friend. She is no longer 10 years old.
You have to get used to those ideas.

Probably her nasty reply to something like you asking for a cup of tea is a reaction to her feeling smothered and pressured by you.
Stop expecting anything from her and stop doing so much for her.
Treat her more as a flatmate, as a PP suggested.

Eddielzzard · 05/12/2021 17:15

Teenagers
by Pat Mora

One day they disappear
into their rooms.
Doors and lips shut
and we become strangers
in our own home.

I pace the hall, hear whispers,
a code I knew but can't remember,
mouthed by mouths I taught to speak.

Years later the door opens.
I see faces I once held,
open as sunflowers in my hands. I see
familiar skin now stretched on long bodies
that move past me
glowing almost like pearls.