Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Teenagers

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

Just a rant- lethargic teen

5 replies

babytum · 02/06/2023 15:30

Just a rant. I have a 16 year old that is so passive and lethargic life is passing her by. At the first sign of anything being uncomfortable or difficult she’s out.
For years she has wanted singing lessons. So I’ve finally found a great singing teacher that also tutors for exams. Not cheap at all. She’s had 2 lessons, has her third this evening and is making all the noises that she’s sick. Has moved herself from the couch to the bed because she’s tired. Tired from what? The walk up the stairs?.

It’s so frustrating, guitar lessons, various dance lessons, all the sports over the years, scouts etc, as soon as it gets a bit challenging or she has to put a bit of work in she’s gone. And for everything she gives up it’s another slice to the confidence and reinforces her own narrative that she isn’t good at anything.
I just feel so exasperated now. It feels like I’m pushing a rock up a hill trying to help her increase her confidence and self worth but she’d rather lay on the couch where she’s comfortable but in reality actually very uncomfortable because she doesn’t believe she’s any good at anything.
I’ve said all the right things and encouraged and cajoled and here we are yet again. Another thing she won’t give a bloody chance to. I wouldn’t mind but she has a lovely voice, the teacher has said she had a lovely voice but she herself has decided she doesn’t. I’m so sad for her and cross with her in equal measures.
Rant over

OP posts:
DarkChocHolic · 02/06/2023 19:53

I hear you OP.
I have a DD that hasn't stepped out for a week.
Claims too busy studying for GCSE
All this nice weather and she is studying from her bed wearing her oodie.
I despair!

nahwhale · 02/06/2023 19:55

There's so much pressure on them from social media. It's a massive problem. They scroll through tik tok and see singer after singer who's amazing but they don't see the hours of hard work that goes into that.

lailamaria · 02/06/2023 22:05

'tired from what the walk up the stairs' is quite unfair

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 04/06/2023 08:27

What about getting her some help for her low confidence/self-esteem and her low mood?

MissyB1 · 04/06/2023 08:29

Yeah I wonder if instead of activities she would benefit more from counselling?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread