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Teenagers

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

13year old son is nightmare to live with.

40 replies

paul71 · 29/08/2022 15:43

Hi mumsnet; a dad here.

just wanted to ask opinions about my 13 nearly 14 year son. Who currently I’m counting the days until he’s old enough to leave home.
Everyday it just seems like an argument starts every time we speak to him and he’s constantly give lip whenever we ask him to do something or tell him off if he makes a mess.
he has some OCD issues that seems to evolve cooking. Which is the only part he seems pleasant about apart from making a mess of the new white kitchen we bought, mistake that was. But just a sandwich will evolve 5 ingredients and he just helps himself to everything.
last week we ordered a curry as both enjoy them but he said I don’t want any. So I got some with my other son. A couple of portions was left over and left in the fridge overnight. My teenage son then decides he will help himself to it at 11am the next day. Leaving a tiny bit for everyone else . And when I mentioned there wasn’t any left , he just flew into a
strop and said there’s plenty left for you in there.
he doesn’t get on with his younger brother, who is a sweetheart in comparison.
we are going out tomorrow the 3 of us but he doesn’t want to go with his older brother and I don’t particularly want my 13 year old aswell because he’s just literally a pain in the backside to be around.

he’s very sporty and is good at football but has always been very self critical. He’s had fights on the pitch and even if he doesn’t score but plays well he’s almost in tears at the end of the game. I don’t even push him to play I just say enjoy it but he treats things so seriously.

I’ve really got to the point I just can’t stand him. I don’t think I can handle a few more teenage years of this. Are they all like this ?
really considering getting some counciling

before it gets worse.
any suggestions,

thanks

OP posts:
titchy · 29/08/2022 15:49

What he's a bit lippy and makes a bit of a mess in the kitchen? What else? Drugs? Sex? Violence? Bullying? Truanting? Smoking? Thieving?

Parent the fuck up - he's a normal teen. Don't be a twat. And don't order takeaway for you and one kid and not make provision for the other. That's arseholery at its finest.

Ihatethenewlook · 29/08/2022 15:51

I’m struggling to understand what’s so bad about him? So he’s a bit emotional, gives lip’ and makes a mess. Welcome to having a normal teenager?! I also don’t get why it was such an issue eating some leftover food out of the fridge?

titchy · 29/08/2022 15:51

And I suspect the OCD and anxiety in sports are because he knows you hate him. So slow hand clap for that one too. I suppose if you keep going he'll develop an eating disorder and be hospitalised - that would keep him out of your way 🤷‍♀️

NotAHouse · 29/08/2022 15:54

"Hey ladies, penis-owner here! I'm finding parenting exhausting and I don't have a woman to farm it out to, so thought I'd ask you ladies on here instead, even though my child sounds completely normal for his age."

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 29/08/2022 15:56

Are you honestly posting for support because your teenager is messy in the kitchen and recently ate some leftovers from the fridge?

Poor kid.

JamesWilbyFanClub · 29/08/2022 15:56

Hmm some harsh replies. It can be absolutely awful parenting a teenager. They don't all magically behave well if you "parent" them. Some of them are fucking awful even if you are firm and fair and fun and reasonable- and it can really have a dire effect on other family members who have to be around them.

YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp · 29/08/2022 15:58

You honestly sound really awful, your DS clearly knows how much you dislike him which is an appalling attitude from a father. He obviously can’t do anything right in your eyes, is his mother around? Because if she is she should be standing up to you and your bullying attitude and telling you to grow up and parent your son or get out.
Poor kid, he really doesn’t stand a chance with you does he?

YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp · 29/08/2022 15:59

JamesWilbyFanClub · 29/08/2022 15:56

Hmm some harsh replies. It can be absolutely awful parenting a teenager. They don't all magically behave well if you "parent" them. Some of them are fucking awful even if you are firm and fair and fun and reasonable- and it can really have a dire effect on other family members who have to be around them.

There’s a world of difference between being fair, firm and reasonable and this father who openly states he can’t stand his son and can’t wait until the boy leaves home Ffs!
🙄🤬

Ihatethenewlook · 29/08/2022 16:00

NotAHouse · 29/08/2022 15:54

"Hey ladies, penis-owner here! I'm finding parenting exhausting and I don't have a woman to farm it out to, so thought I'd ask you ladies on here instead, even though my child sounds completely normal for his age."

It’s a bit disturbing isn’t it? His father hates him, can’t wait to turf him out, and is apparently seeking counselling to cope with a perfectly normal child. I mean how dare a 13 year old who’s already been made the black sheep of the family never act like an annoying teenager some of the time. I mean he could be out taking drugs, getting involved in county lines, having sex and getting his underage girlfriend pregnant, getting drunk and arrested a few times a week. But the pure AUDACITY of making a mess in the kitchen and eating some old curry out the fridge 🙄 I actually hope this man goes to a counsellor so they can tell him what a prat he is, and hopefully help this poor boy who sounds like he needs it!

ChicaneOvenchips · 29/08/2022 16:07

I'm going to assume that there is more to it than the couple of examples you've given here, as otherwise why would you have got to the point of asking for advice.

I would suggest spending time together one to one with your teen, and then a different day one to one with your younger child. My two don't get along, and while I will still be able to get a day here and there where everything is mostly harmonious when we go out, most of the time I don't even bother planning things for the three of us as it's just a stressful horrible experience for us all.

Unfortunately teens are difficult to live with sometimes, so perhaps take a look at your expectations and whether they are achievable or just setting him up to fail.

Snog · 29/08/2022 16:10

Definitely go ahead with counselling for yourself - your son sounds normal but your reaction does not.

NoSquirrels · 29/08/2022 16:13

really considering getting some counciling
before it gets worse.

I think that’s an excellent idea. Get a therapist to talk through your parenting strategies and why your 13-year-old son is so triggering for you when he gets emotional, answers back and does generally thoughtless but ultimately harmless stuff like eating some takeaway leftovers.

Teen behaviour can be challenging for parents. And then it’s mostly on us, as the adults, to ask why am I upset by this, how can we communicate better and what do I want this relationship with my child to look like?

moneynotsofunny · 29/08/2022 16:15

Is he getting support for his OCD?

Have you missed some stuff out… he sounds pretty normal… still growing…

shmiz · 29/08/2022 16:23

I also think you are harsh / unreasonable and need to develop some positive regard for your son before you really fuck up his self esteem

DialsMavis · 29/08/2022 16:24

I think I can sort of understand your post. I love my DD to death and think she is wonderful, witty, loving etc. But she is a bloody nightmare to live with, I end up in tears when she has gone to bed regularly... All the examples are so petty but living with her is extremely draining a lot of the time, everything is a battle.

In her case we are getting her assessed for ASD as her issues are becoming more and more pronounced and she is becoming unhappy.

I definitely think you need some form of therapy as it must be so awful for your DS to feel that you don't like him. I really worry DD will feel like this and it will damage her self esteem. If she isn't neuro divergent we will be trying the same thing.

iklboo · 29/08/2022 16:25

Is your teen Horrid Henry & your 'sweetheart' kid Perfect Peter?

You're counting the days till he leaves home? Bet he is too, the poor lad. I suppose you were a veritable angel at his age 🤔

Afterfire · 29/08/2022 16:35

So when you ordered your curry what did you get him to eat?? My son hates curry but if we order one I’ll order him a pizza or get him something equally special so he doesn’t feel left out.

So he’s making a mess and can be a bit moody - what teen isn’t?!

crosbystillsandmash · 29/08/2022 16:52

He sounds like a perfectly nice, normal kid.

You sound like a shit Dad, who urgently needs to be a better parent to him.

KurtCobainsColourfulCarpet · 29/08/2022 17:00

He might not know this yet, but he doesn't dislike being with his brother. He just finds it unbearable seeing how lovingly you can treat your other child while you can barely contain your contempt for him. Sucks being the scapegoat.

WhoAre · 29/08/2022 17:01

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

MintJulia · 29/08/2022 17:06

So he makes a mess in the kitchen, helped himself to some left over curry and is self-critical when playing sport ! And the issue is.....?

He seems completely normal to me. You aren't being kind comparing him unfavourably to his younger brother. Does he know you do that? And you're counting the days until he leaves! Poor kid.

You sound horrible, small minded and intolerant. He sounds like a perfectly normal teen.

ittakes2 · 29/08/2022 17:07

Honestly kids tend to be self critical if others have been critical of them.
just the fact you have compared him to his ‘good’ brother rings alarm bells for me.
It is worth googling adhd and seeing if that applies to him. Kids with adhd have trouble problems processing emotions, trouble being organised so can be messy and can be impulsive so can talk without thinking. They also have more trouble dealing with stress.
but unfort if you feel this way he would know it. So yes please get family counselling as this is car crash waiting to happen unfortunately. And don’t underestimate the impact this toxicity is having on the whole family - the younger kid you just described as dream could be acting as a dream as he has seen how you treat this brother of his and he doesn’t want that for himself too.
parenting is tricky and the fact you are seeking help is a really positive thing.

MissyB1 · 29/08/2022 17:09

Yeah change your attitude towards your ds and things might actually improve. It’s not difficult to see what’s going wrong here.

LondonWolf · 29/08/2022 17:10

You're not a good Dad.

ParsleyPesto · 29/08/2022 17:28

You sound entirely out of your depth .

There is so my you can do to improve your situation.

Get a parenting teens book, read it, re-read it, try the strategies.

Get some counselling for yourself, the counsellor can support you to find ways to manage.

Your son is not a bad person. He is a young teenager trying to cope with massive hormonal changes, pressures at school and home, and undoubtedly low self esteem.

Your dislike for him is as clear as day and he will be painfully aware that his own family would prefer him gone. That is a tough place to be for anyone, never mind a child.

You need to back right off and try to understand that in children, all behaviour is communication. He does not yet have the confidence, experience or insight to sit you down and say, “Hey Dad, I am extremely unhappy as it is patently obvious my own family dislikes me. I need to be loved unconditionally, especially when I’m behaving badly because that is my way of showing how unhappy I feel.”

You are the adult here and if you step up you can guide your son to become a confident, compassionate and good person who enjoys good relationships.

I would urge you to hold your tongue before saying anything to him except Good morning/how are you/ and anything else civil. No criticisms.

Praise him for every single thing he does right or we’ll - great game, you’re really talented. You know, you’re really good at getting yourself organised for school and sports/hey that too suits you, looking good!/thinking of getting takeaway and it’s your turn to choose tonight, have a think about what you’d like.

He needs to hear positive messaging constantly.

As it is, he knows that you react to negative behaviour so he is doing what he knows will get your attention.

In a few years he will be gone and you can have your spotless kitchen. None of that material stuff really matters though, what matters is that your family feels safe and loved and can go out into the world knowing that home will always be a place they are welcomed.

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