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Teenagers

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

Teen daughter irresponsible

64 replies

MrsRaspberry · 11/02/2023 23:53

I have an 18year old DD who doesn't live with me-she chose to move out and live independently in a supported living unit within the YMCA. She claims her own benefits and gets all her rent paid. All she's responsible for is paying a contribution to her utilities such as gas electricity Wi-Fi etc and buying her own food. She was working for about 2months and stubbornly quit her job so is now back to relying solely on Universal Credits to live on. Only time i hear from her is when she's asking me to send money to her as she's irresponsible with her finances. She spends her funds on weed and tattoos with no thought to how she's going to eat and thinks its ok to ask me to fund her living costs when she blows her money on unnecessary things. Now today is my 7year olds birthday and shes not even wished her sister a happy birthday. Shes text me to ask for money to buy clothes and stropped because I said no. She actually called my 16year old to say tell mum to send me some money stating she would ask my sister for some then called when i said ive got nothing to send to her. She rang me saying "i only wanted some trousers im your fucking child you should help me" i told her she can't just call people when shes after something as this is the only time any of us hear from her and she went on a massive rant of "im in fucking therapy because of you and you left me homeless" she isn't in therapy at all shes been to the doctors and been put on antidepressants and i did not leave her homeless she chose to leave home and live by herself and i supported her decision aswell as supported her financially when she first moved into her accommodation as she couldn't afford to pay deposits herself. She has been quite nasty to me tonight when i invited her over to spend time with us she told me "no i dont really want to see you and i cannot stand having you as a mum". She does this every time shes told no to anything. She did it to my sister too texting her abuse after my sister said no to her having a moped off her because she hasnt even got a licence to ride it. Shes my daughter and i love her but i cannot stand her attitude as all she does is causes upset every time she doesn't get her own way

OP posts:
Lemme · 13/02/2023 06:26

OP does she have undiagnosed ADHD? This could be driving many of her behaviours - attitude to risk, belief that she’s right, etc.
Also often underlies weed addiction as it’s used to calm the brain. Worth thinking about as the adhd meds calm the brain and allow sensible thinking, it can change lives.

Onnabugeisha · 13/02/2023 06:40

You repeatedly say she has never liked being told no. Why wasn’t she assessed for Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) as a child? And why didn’t you research how to parent a child with ODD?

hidingbehindascreen · 13/02/2023 06:49

MrsRaspberry · 12/02/2023 07:35

She moved out last year at 17 due to refusing to come home after lying about staying at her mates. She stayed with a boyfriend whilst waiting for a place at ymca which took about 3 weeks. Shes kicked off for years when shes told no. She used to run off and refuse to come home until she got what she wanted. Shes also verbally abused my sister because for once my sister also said no to her too

This could be me posting this.
DD moved out at 17 after some truly horrendous years. For a long time only texted when she wanted money, but finally we are actually having some good contact now.
Sometimes no matter how hard it is you have to let them make their own way (though I'm sure a lot of the mums on here won't agree)

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 13/02/2023 06:59

MrsRaspberry · 13/02/2023 06:13

Honestly thankyou. She needs something but being 18 I can't even get her to a doctor shes not a child. I can only imagine that her last visit she didnt mention the smoking weed so whatever meds the doctor gave arent going to help whilst continuing to smoke that. I've tried to sway her off from it and she responds the same every time that its fine shes fine its only a plant and to stay out of her business. Shes far too stubborn

Although you can't get her to a doctor if you know who her doctor is then you can contact them and tell them of all your concerns about her.

MrsRaspberry · 13/02/2023 07:51

Onnabugeisha · 13/02/2023 06:40

You repeatedly say she has never liked being told no. Why wasn’t she assessed for Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) as a child? And why didn’t you research how to parent a child with ODD?

ODD wasnt heard of well not by me anyway. Any concern with her behaviour was always dismissed by school as she never displayed the behaviour there that she did at home so it was always brushed off as she was just being a typical kid testing the boundaries at home. She can't seem to accept it when she can't get what she wants and she even now sulks over it and starts up with her behaviour. She did it to her aunt after her aunt has spent years defending her treating me like crap too

OP posts:
Onnabugeisha · 13/02/2023 08:27

MrsRaspberry · 13/02/2023 07:51

ODD wasnt heard of well not by me anyway. Any concern with her behaviour was always dismissed by school as she never displayed the behaviour there that she did at home so it was always brushed off as she was just being a typical kid testing the boundaries at home. She can't seem to accept it when she can't get what she wants and she even now sulks over it and starts up with her behaviour. She did it to her aunt after her aunt has spent years defending her treating me like crap too

That’s really sad as it sounds like the schools have failed your DD all the way now to adulthood. Is there anyway to ask her doctor about ODD? There are therapies for it and training in how people should interact with those that have ODD… could turn your DDs life around completely as well as her relationships with you and her sisters.

newbeggins · 13/02/2023 08:42

Regardless of the background/cause/triggers for her behaviours, as the parent it's hard not be hurt.

To help her heal, it's going to take an Oscar winning performance on your behalf. If she's a mentally young 18 yr old who would have begun at home eating your food, using electric etc, I would have a conversation with her to look at his you can support her financially to independent living. Nothing too much for you but even £30 a month going into her bank account and review every year.

I would then have an open offer (every other Saturday) that you will keep it free to do stuff with her/be there for her/go shopping with her/out shelves up etc. If she doesn't take you up on it then you'll have other things you can do. But I'd text 3 days before and ask if she wants picking up/wants to meet etc.

These small gestures show her you are still there and might soften the hardship of being in ymca. They also keep her linked to a more normal world

I don't doubt she will reject you but you can't parent her now - consequences etc, you can be her kind friend who wants to help in a minimal way.

Deviniaursula · 13/02/2023 08:43

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

vdbfamily · 13/02/2023 09:02

I could also have written this post, down to GP prescribing Sertraline last month.) Just be aware that starting Sertraline can make you feel completely rubbish for first 4-6 weeks.)
We had all the dramatics for years and I felt I was in an abusive relationship that I could not walk away from. DD eventually diagnosed with ADHD just before she took her A levels, but too late for any support and had to wait months to start medication which she had since stopped as it makes her feel funny. It is hard when they are young adults because you cannot discuss them with the doctor unless they agree to it etc.
Or relationship actually improved considerably when she moved away as she missed us, but if she comes home to stay, there will be a blazing row within first day as she thrives on the drama and if there is none, she creates it!!

Deviniaursula · 13/02/2023 09:03

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

vdbfamily · 13/02/2023 09:07

She actually took a year out living abroad and then got a place at Uni. She had spent all her grant within weeks on piercings and a new tattoo and so we now send her a monthly Aldi voucher ( excluding alcohol) to make sure she at least eats. She had also recently got a job as a carer to work in between Uni stuff so once her DBS clears she will earn enough for her tattoos and to pay off her huge overdraft!!

Emmamoo89 · 13/02/2023 09:17

Ignore the unhelpful posters. Just keep being there for her. Show her support. Sending love and hugs x

OriginalUsername2 · 13/02/2023 09:32

Going against the grain here - she sounds like a brat trying to manipulate her mum to give her money for weed. Everyones in therapy, big deal, even if it’s true, that doesn’t entitle her to money “for trousers”.

She chose to “live independently” - tell her what that means. I’d offer her a warm bed and meal any time. I’d take her to primark and buy her a pair of trousers. Money = weed.

WhenItIsRaining · 13/02/2023 10:11

She may seem old because you have younger children but really she is very much still a child. She will be mess up - whether with money, relationships or whatever - she is still very much in the infancy stage of adulthood and has limited experience of managing. I think you need to let go of your expectations that she manage things seamlessly: she won't.

Obviously she is feeling unhappy, that is crystal clear from your description of her behaviour. Undoubtedly you two are in a pattern of triggering each other and it really is up to you, as her mum, to try to change this. If you keep doing what you're doing, you will get the same results. So something has to change.

I think you need to practise taking time before you answer her calls/texts/demands. Don't get into conflict. Always be civil, and try to be loving. Try to be consistent with your contact... check in on her without asking anything of her. Don't dig your heels in about her missing family occasions. Anything at all to reduce drama and to encourage positive contact.

She is only a teenager for a short period of time (even though it can feel very long!) and there is every chance she will emerge, butterfly-like, as a responsible and more considerate young woman in a few years.

I don't suggest that it is easy because I know it is not, but hold onto hope and remember she is as much your daughter today as she was the day she was born.

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