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Teenagers

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

My 12 year old daughter has a boyfriend

7 replies

bexter555 · 04/06/2022 18:55

Help I'm really struggling to know how to deal with my 12 year old daughter. She seems to have a boyfriend, he's been to our house today for the first time and they spent all afternoon upstairs in her room with the door closed. Epic parent fail I know. We were on holiday until this morning and she wanted to meet him and some others for crazy golf, then she rang and asked if he could come back, and I said yes. I picked them up and whilst I was locking up the car, they ran in the house, past my husband went upstairs and shut the door. I feel like this has all happened to fast I haven't had chance to set any boundaries or anything. She literally asked about the crazy golf two days ago which was the first inkling that she wanted to meet up with him.

Background info : I'm recovering from breast cancer treatment. My daughter has really struggled with this, she is having counselling. She is often angry with me, withdrawn, and isolates herself a bit from the rest of the house. It's all very alarming. She had a bit of a set back over the last month and her counsellor told us she told her that she put a blade from a pencil sharpener on her wrist but that she didn't intend to hurt herself. Because she's struggling I tend to be a really ineffective parent. I just want her to be OK. My little girl has disappeared overnight into a make up and jewellery wearing girl with a boyfriend that I just don't recognise any more and it's breaking my heart. Scared.

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 04/06/2022 18:57

It doesn't have to be scary, just make sure in future they know the door isn't allowed to be closed. And give her the talk.

Smartiepants79 · 04/06/2022 19:01

How old is he?
Time to sit her down with a calm chat and set some sensible, non-negotiable boundaries for his visits.
She needs the security of the boundaries you set her now more than ever.

Notaneffingcockerspaniel · 04/06/2022 19:09

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 04/06/2022 19:13

Having a boyfriend at 12 is fine. It should all be quite innocent.

id just let them get on with it, but make it plain that they’re either downstairs or if upstairs the door stays open.

bexter555 · 04/06/2022 19:14

He's the same age as her, 12 years old.

OP posts:
waterrat · 04/06/2022 22:51

Op take a big breath it's okay. Being a parent is bloody hard. We all fail at various things daily but tomorrow is another day

Decide what thr boundaries are and just begin now. It's good she is bringing him home where you can keep an eye. Door open ...but try to let go of the worry about her growing up. She is 12 and in some ways growing up and some ways not. She needs and wants boundaries.

No child wants their parent to be too worried to have rules.

Really sorry about your illness and hope you are recovering

AnonyMouseie · 20/11/2022 16:29

She's acting out bc she feels neglected. Not saying you did, but you've been though so much, the first person who gave her an iota of care, she latched like a newborn to her mum. He now knows she'll do anything he wants bc she feels starved for attention.

Tell her she can be friends, but no relationship til she's older to know boundaries and self respect.

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