Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Teenagers

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

Help. She is pregnant!

50 replies

Kath36 · 24/11/2022 06:16

So here goes I have a 19 year old daughter who has consistently gone from worse to worse with the 3 bf that she has had. She no longer lives at home as was moved out of the family home by the domestic violence team. Thsts a whole new story. So she had a decent job in a hospital tgen met the current bf. It's been a year and quite frankly he is the pits. She has announced she is pregnant to say I'm devastated is no lie. Its not so much the baby it's him. He doesn't work sponges off of her. He is lazy and a heavy weed smoker. He lies and she believes everything. He has manipulated her in such a way I never thought woukd be possible. He has tried to isolate her from the family and plays the poor me routine with her. He is just vile. This weekend was a farce as he accused me of bad mouthing him to family. All hell broke loose. No family member like him and we all know he won't be sticking around but she won't be told she won't listen to reason. He spoke to me in a way I've never experienced and I wasn't the only one. 2 of her cousins got it to. She keeps saying I want everyone to be civil etc no one wants to look at him let alone talk to him. I just don't know how to navigate through this. He truly is the worst of the worst. Likes to threaten me that I'm not seeing baby etc. They can't look after themselves at mo without my input for food gas etc and yet he slates me while eating the food I've put in. I just don't know what to do or how to handle it I'm terrier for her long term future and fear for her when her bubble bursts. What woukd you do?

OP posts:
Sushi7 · 24/11/2022 11:39

@Kath36 Stop giving your Dd money for bills and food. You’re only financing her bf. If your Dd is struggling financially then can she move back in with you? That means you can keep her fed and warm without allowing her work shy slob of a bf from leeching off your Dd (and you). He will have to find somewhere else to stay and get a job to fund that.

1Wanda1 · 24/11/2022 13:16

This is my worst nightmare so you have my sympathy OP. Tanya Byron's column in The Times this Monday was on a similar problem (mother hating DD's deadbeat boyfriend), and I thought the advice was very good. Here it is:

I am not happy with my daughter’s boyfriend, but she won’t take any criticism

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/3d756eda-6767-11ed-9ccc-9d160947f622?shareToken=a0b1824591f8f9e6f6c1403616cbd776

Kath36 · 24/11/2022 13:22

Thanks for all your advice. This really is my worst nightmare for her.

OP posts:
2bazookas · 24/11/2022 14:01

STOP funding them. Don't give DD money for food or bills. You are enabling them to stay together. As soon as the free money dries up he'll dump her and be off.

Stand back and leave them to it until then.

If you don't let your DD learn that lesson, thenthe freeloader will still be on the scene when her baby arrives. Your grandchild will pay the price for your "generosity".

KatherineJaneway · 24/11/2022 14:11

STOP funding them. Don't give DD money for food or bills. You are enabling them to stay together. As soon as the free money dries up he'll dump her and be off.

Agree with this. Once the gravy train stops, he'll be off looking for someone else to pay his bills for him.

PauperTeaBiscuit · 24/11/2022 14:14

KangarooKenny · 24/11/2022 07:19

Stop funding their life, and be ready to catch her when he leaves. I know it’s hard, but try not to be too critical or she may not come to you when she needs you. Absolutely no ‘I told you so’.

Agree 100%

Shutupyoutart · 24/11/2022 14:51

Sounds really tough op, but be careful how you handle this, I would be afraid that if you are too negative about the awful boyfriend itl just push them closer together and isolate you from your daughter and let's face it she's going to need you. Not saying you Should allow him to speak to you like shit at all but try and focus on your daughter and just be indifferent towards him until it inevitably fizzles out. Good luck! X

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 24/11/2022 15:34

1Wanda1 · 24/11/2022 13:16

This is my worst nightmare so you have my sympathy OP. Tanya Byron's column in The Times this Monday was on a similar problem (mother hating DD's deadbeat boyfriend), and I thought the advice was very good. Here it is:

I am not happy with my daughter’s boyfriend, but she won’t take any criticism

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/3d756eda-6767-11ed-9ccc-9d160947f622?shareToken=a0b1824591f8f9e6f6c1403616cbd776

Fantastic article, thanks for sharing that.

Kath36 · 25/11/2022 17:23

Well I here is an update. I have spent day with her shopping. She will not have a word said against him. She cried alot but keeps telling me he wants to be civil. I've told her the bank of mum is closed from now on. It breaks me knowing that I'm actively saying your financially on your own. Made it clear she welcome home anytime. She still kept trying to talk about him. I'm just gutted she doesn't think she deserves better. Thank you for all your comments greatly appreciated. X

OP posts:
Shemovesshemoves21 · 25/11/2022 17:26

Kath36 · 25/11/2022 17:23

Well I here is an update. I have spent day with her shopping. She will not have a word said against him. She cried alot but keeps telling me he wants to be civil. I've told her the bank of mum is closed from now on. It breaks me knowing that I'm actively saying your financially on your own. Made it clear she welcome home anytime. She still kept trying to talk about him. I'm just gutted she doesn't think she deserves better. Thank you for all your comments greatly appreciated. X

Well done. Give it time, she's likely in shock (from baby and your withdrawal financially) and massive denial about the boyfriend. Continue making an effort with her and keeping in contact, offering to go to appointments etc and that will help her know she can come to you when the inevitable shit hits the fan. You're a great mum and she'll understand at some point in the future x

Kath36 · 25/11/2022 18:38

Thank you so much for your kind words. Sometimes it just helps to have the opinion of strangers to make you feel yiur not totally alone if that makes sence. X

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 25/11/2022 19:16

Why would the BF leave your DD when you are a cash cow?

Stop supporting them materially and financially. You'll see how long the relationship lasts when the money dries up.

PritiPatelsMaker · 26/11/2022 09:03

So glad that you've taken her out and said there's no more hand outs.

If he's not getting up until the late afternoon that will give you chance to feed her in the day, if you're around.

Once the dust has settled a bit after the argument and she's had time to digest that there's no more handouts I think I'd gently ask her how the saving up for the baby things she'll need.

maranella · 26/11/2022 11:43

Well done OP. Maybe the rubbish will take itself out now that the Bank of Mum has pulled the plug?

PritiPatelsMaker · 26/11/2022 17:33

How've you got on today @Kath36? Have you heard from your DD?

Kath36 · 27/11/2022 14:59

I had heard from her yesterday. She had a big fall out with her father. He really isn't helping matters at all. I'm still trying to get over who the father is then she slipped up and told me that the 2 packs of ginger biscuits I bought her on Friday has been eaten by him. I know it seems so petty but just wanted to scream at her. This forum has been a massive help I can't thank you all enough for the advice.

OP posts:
Bamski · 27/11/2022 15:19

I’d recommend that you encourage your daughter to do the freedom program. It’s incredibly helpful in teaching people to see the red flags in abusers and the people running it will be able to support your daughter to safely leave her boyfriend if she decides to. It will also be people outside of her family advising her and giving advice which she may be more likely to take.

PritiPatelsMaker · 27/11/2022 15:38

I think the Freedom Programme would be really good for her two. Not sure how you'd sell it to her though when she's in a relationship? Maybe you could say that it would help her get over her ex?

PritiPatelsMaker · 27/11/2022 15:41

And eating her ginger biscuits when it helps her nausea is the pits bunt we knew he was scum.

It's just a glimpse of what's to coke when the baby arrives and he's spending the gas and nappy money on weed.

LadyMarmaladeAtkins · 27/11/2022 15:48

Lots of good advice on here. I think you should stop subsidising her except with regard to food when you see her and healthcare eg dentist. They need to get themselves sorted out to prepare for the baby.

But maybe you ought to mentally prepare yourself for what happens if they can't look after the child and social services get involved. You might need to agree to have her and the baby back into your home, or just the child (worst case scenario) for a short or long time as their official guardian. Not saying this will happen but get things clear in your head about what you will do IF this and that.

PritiPatelsMaker · 27/11/2022 15:51

Excellent suggestions Marmalde Wink

EmilyGilmoresSass · 27/11/2022 16:08

She's a 19 year old adult... so what do you mean about how you will handle it? It's none of your business to handle it. You should admittedly be supportive regardless of your bias, not that it seems that way. I can see why she moved out.

Zodiacsigns · 27/11/2022 17:40

Pinkflipflop85 · 24/11/2022 06:22

Stop financially supporting them for a start.

This! You're literally paying for his weed habit. Stop financial help, then when she goes without basics because of his smoking she'll be forced to kick him out. Or he'll leave if she's got the sense to pay for basics as soon as she's paid and he's faced with having to fund his own habit. He's a cocklodger, stop facilitating it. If they end up in debt you can help by paying off the debt once they've split. Better a one off payment than funding him forever.

mumofblu · 28/11/2022 20:40

Where are his parents in all this .
I think your Dd will need and appreciate your support and you sound like a loving mum who will give tough love where needed and loving support to your Dd
She sounds v vulnerable.

Kath36 · 29/11/2022 18:48

His parents. We'll he apparently hadn't seen his dad for 6 years. His mum has 2 younger kids 5 and 11 I believe. She doesn't have a massive presence from what I gather. My neice met her said that she seems nice. My dd is quite vulnerable. She is extremely naive and would take people at face value. She has been badly treated by her biological father and previous boyfriends she just seems to accept it. Much to my despair. I try my best with her we argue and we friends again same as most I imagine. I saw that someone commented that no wonder she moved out with basically a mother like me. Indeed I am protective towards her surely that's a normal trait. Anyhow I am where I am and just finding our way through this.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page