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Teenagers

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

My son has been 16 for a matter of days and has changed drastically

6 replies

Taonga2022 · 08/04/2022 20:10

My son turned 16 last week and since he has done nothing but cause stress, worry and acting as though he is a fully grown man. He has not come home at night, I have had to ring round his friends to find out where he is...nearly had to ring the police as I was so worried. Today my other son came home and told me he had seen him with a local drug dealer and his friend had bought some cannabis.I knew where they would be so I walked there and my son run off, he still hasn't come home. He was dead set on joining the army and has started the process already due to start training in the summer, he has a girlfriend who he seems to be absolutely obsessed with. He has also started self harming and will cut his arms and makes sure I see it. I have said I will take him doctors and try anything i can to get help but he refuses to go. He will spend hours on his phone, treats my house like a hotel would rather be out with his friends or girlfriend than come home to eat. He can be really nasty to his siblings,, and goes on like he's the worlds strongest man. He has his gcse's soon and I am so worried this will tip him over the edge more and he will ruin his dream of joining the army. I honestly do not know what to do anymore any advice would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
NosyJosie · 10/04/2022 00:56

I have no advice as feel this is the direction my own is heading in but wanted to show support. My own DS is a little younger but school have a good handle on stress and might be worth speaking to pastoral team?

malificent7 · 11/04/2022 15:10

The girlfriend sounds normal as does the wanting to be with friends and her more than coming home to eat.

The drugs not so much.

malificent7 · 11/04/2022 15:12

Tbh if he dosn't get into the army that is his own fault and he may learn from that. I would try to talk to him about focussing on his future career.

Mischance · 11/04/2022 15:14

You have my sympathy. Sometimes it feels as though you cannot get anything right with teenagers, however hard you try.

I would pare it down to the really important things and the drugs issue would be top of my list. But I have no magic wand.

fizzypop100 · 12/04/2022 19:08

Would he listen if you told him that drugs and self harm will stop him from being accepted into the army? would he go to the information centre/recruitment office with you ? They would be able to tell him face to face

NosyJosie · 19/04/2022 08:07

How is it going now?

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