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Teenagers

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

Given up

1 reply

Blendiful · 20/08/2023 23:25

Have 2 teenage DC who both have ASD but very different in presentation and how to manage. It's tough going day in day out. On top of this ex-h has sporadic access, his work is shift work and days off change weekly so we have 0 routine at all. He pays minimal money, and does 0 parental admin/responsibility. He basically picks them up to have them when he's off, to do the fun stuff.

Any time I've given him any responsibility e.g when he had them the other week it clashed with DC orthodontist appt, one we have been waiting a year for, he missed it. So I've now had to re book and wait which means DC now has to come out of school and I have to have time off work to go, when the original appt fell when both ex and DC we're off.

He is honestly useless. Been trying to get on top of eldest DC as she is staying at bfs constantly and not looking after herself. Her ASD means she doesn't prioritise having showers, brushing her teeth, taking her 2x medication, watching her diet (part of her health issues) So I have said she needs to be home in the week but can go for the weekend. She stayed with her dad, he let her go daily and she came back still unwell having not taken any antibiotics for an infection. He fights me on every single thing, and listens to nothing I say.

This whole situation is causing more problems at home, I can't focus on my job and am just arguing with people. I don't want to go out because I am mentally drained from it all all the time.

Honestly I have given up and told him if he thinks he can do it better to keep them there and I'll have weekend contact when I'm off and just do the fun bits and he can do all the stuff I have to do.

I could be a good parent without any other influences but what with my current partner and his constant ideas of help which I don't actually need as I know what needs to be done, and their dad whose just completely clueless. I can't do it. I don't want to be in my own life anymore and I just don't know what to do

OP posts:
Awoody622 · 21/08/2023 05:14

Interesting message. I myself have ASD, and I understand the struggles and stress it can cause, especially growing up.
It's difficult, because no situation is ever going to be black and white. Growing up, I never got on with my dad, which culminated in him strangling me and then I subsequently being moved out to live in care. I fell into depression and self harm, along with regular suicide attempts. Now, several years later, I've received an offer to study music at a prestigious university.
You may (rightly so) wonder why I'm telling you this, and that is because I do NOT want you to give up. You have two wonderful children who will grow up to be amazing individuals in society because of their ASD lending them strength in areas the "normal" public cannot comprehend.
Raising one autistic child is an effort. Raising two is superhuman. And you have done it successfully, too.
You are struggling yes, but from reading this I can tell just how much you love your kids. They will not want you to go, or do something stupid, or even just change up their regular routine. (Having ASD, I'm sure changes can be difficult enough for them.)
On a side note - your husband -sorry ex - sounds like an idiot, with all due respect. If he cannot chip in on his part, A) yes, it is a good thing he is your ex now, and B) he cannot appreciate the effort needed to look after autistic children. (Men, I have found, are notoriously bad at this.)
Yes, blame him because he isn't there. But do not wish that he could look after them instead of you because they would be so much worse off with him.
Do not give up. You did not carry them for 18 months just to pass them on to someone who laid back and let it happen.
You are loved. You are proud to be their mother. I am proud of you for managing as well as you have, and I'm sure others will attest.
If you ever need to chat, let me know and I will drop you my Instagram/Snapchat/number/whatever, if you need it.
Side note: yes, I am a man. We are assholes, but we are not all bad.
I hope this helps. 😊

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