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Teenagers

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

Big fall out with DS16 - advice please..

45 replies

AddictedtoCrunchies · 20/05/2024 09:40

DS lives with me and spends Sat night/ Sunday with his dad plus one evening mid week.

I've caught DS vaping a few times since Christmas. I've either found the vape, or he's done it in his room, and the smell is an immediate giveaway. Each time we've spoken about it and I've explained how bad it is yadda yadda. He always denies it, and I get more cross because of the lying. I can't stand lying.

Last conversation was last Friday when I took him out to a cafe and we had a good chat. I am trying to keep things calm because of GCSEs and all was well. Yesterday (Sunday) his dad messaged me to say he suspected vaping. (We are separated but get on v well.) Despite DS telling me Friday he'd thrown it away. Lies..

DS came home from his dad, I spoke to him again and he stormed out and was gone for an hour. When he got back he barricaded himself in his room and said some pretty vile things to me while I was trying to talk to him through the door. I left him to it and watched tv then went to bed. He texted me to apologise but I'm really hurt.

He basically told me I'm a shit mum and that I don't support him or understand what he's going through. I just nag. (GF dumped him two weeks ago.) I'm really trying to be the adult here but I'm struggling. I feel like I've bent over backwards in recent weeks to alleviate exam pressure.

I wake him up, make his breakfast, load his stuff in the dishwasher, make his packed lunch. Then I encourage revision (nag apparently..) make tea, clear up, walk the dog, do the bins etc etc. No expectations on him at all other than exams and revision.

I really don't want to rock the boat mid exams but I dont know how to handle this. He's an only child, we've always been close, I support him and he's close to his grandparents. He's just turned into a horrible child.

He knows he's in the wrong as was v sheepish but after rows in the past I've just smoothed things over and let it go. I don't feel like I can let this go as I may be a lot of things but I'm not a shit mum.

Any thoughts please?

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 20/05/2024 16:32

I too would let things rest until after gcses. Revisit when they are over.

3luckystars · 20/05/2024 17:23

He is not horrible he is just normal. It’s only vaping, they are all doing it. You can advise against it but you can’t stop him.

Just support him and help him get through this tough time.

SomersetBrie · 20/05/2024 17:38

HelplessSoul · 20/05/2024 14:29

I'd show him the door and then change the locks.

What do you think he would do then, out of interest?

HelplessSoul · 20/05/2024 19:17

SomersetBrie · 20/05/2024 17:38

What do you think he would do then, out of interest?

Frankly, who cares.

He is a proven liar and not to be trusted.

He can go out into the big wide world like the rest of us if he is that desperate to be "underwokestood", or whatever he believes in.

Lilactimes · 20/05/2024 20:28

I do think 15/16 is the worst and then they get through this post GCSE summer and into Sixth form and the good bits start coming back!!! Honestly!!

AddictedtoCrunchies · 20/05/2024 21:36

Thank you all for your advice. We've had a chat tonight and I told him I was no longer going to enforce a bedtime. Up to him what time he turns the light out but I need quiet after 10.30 as I need to sleep. Also said he needs to set his alarm and get himself up and in the shower by 7am.
Also said I was backing off with the revision encouragement (nagging) and it was down to him to get on with it.
Also said I couldn't stop him vaping but I hoped he'd realise himself it wasn't great. Assured him I'd help him stop at any time. But told him he's not to vape in the house or his dad's.
And finally I went out to run club and left him to cook his own dinner. Plus walk the hound which he did with no argument.
He gave me a teen hug so think we're good.
Hopefully a corner turned so thank you for everything 🙏

OP posts:
3luckystars · 21/05/2024 07:39

That great.

Greenflamesburn · 21/05/2024 08:26

Did he manage to get up?

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 21/05/2024 08:31

OmuraWhale · 20/05/2024 09:46

You're not a shit mum, but I do have some sympathy with your DS here. His girlfriend dumped him 2 weeks ago and he's in the middle of GCSE stress. Honestly I'd let the vaping thing go for the next few weeks, then lay down the law after GCSEs.

I agree, good advice, he doesn’t sound like a horrible child at all, he did apologise.
I made my 24 yr old son watch the programme Jordan North did about vaping, very interesting and an easy watch.
I hate vaping - I’m an ex smoker so I realise how addictive it is - but you can only express concerns, it’s impossible to make anyone stop.

LighthouseCat · 21/05/2024 08:45

You are not a shit mum and he knows you are not a shit mum. It sounds like you actually have a good relationship. He's under loads of pressure right now and he's just been dumped. He apologised so I'd let it go. My DD is being pretty tricky/rude and has said some hurtful things in the heat of the moment (also doing exams). It's not great behaviour but I can how stressed she is.

Jangaroul754 · 21/05/2024 10:53

AddictedtoCrunchies · 20/05/2024 21:36

Thank you all for your advice. We've had a chat tonight and I told him I was no longer going to enforce a bedtime. Up to him what time he turns the light out but I need quiet after 10.30 as I need to sleep. Also said he needs to set his alarm and get himself up and in the shower by 7am.
Also said I was backing off with the revision encouragement (nagging) and it was down to him to get on with it.
Also said I couldn't stop him vaping but I hoped he'd realise himself it wasn't great. Assured him I'd help him stop at any time. But told him he's not to vape in the house or his dad's.
And finally I went out to run club and left him to cook his own dinner. Plus walk the hound which he did with no argument.
He gave me a teen hug so think we're good.
Hopefully a corner turned so thank you for everything 🙏

What a brilliant update op! Glad things settled a bit and well done for stepping back and stepping out! 😃👍

Edited to say: you are setting a great example there and that’s half the battle!

AddictedtoCrunchies · 21/05/2024 10:55

Greenflamesburn · 21/05/2024 08:26

Did he manage to get up?

Yes he was.in the shower a couple of minutes after the alarm.

OP posts:
AddictedtoCrunchies · 21/05/2024 10:55

Jangaroul754 · 21/05/2024 10:53

What a brilliant update op! Glad things settled a bit and well done for stepping back and stepping out! 😃👍

Edited to say: you are setting a great example there and that’s half the battle!

Edited

Thank you. 😊

OP posts:
lljkk · 21/05/2024 11:04

Glad you made up, x

leftkneeonbackwards · 21/05/2024 11:07

I think vaping is awful, but I also think mid GCSE exams is not the time to try and deal with nicotine withdrawal

MILLYmo0se · 22/05/2024 18:08

HelplessSoul · 20/05/2024 14:29

I'd show him the door and then change the locks.

You have that little understanding for someone going through exams and a breakup?! Do you treat your friends that harshly

HelplessSoul · 22/05/2024 19:02

MILLYmo0se · 22/05/2024 18:08

You have that little understanding for someone going through exams and a breakup?! Do you treat your friends that harshly

Boo hoo...

We've all been teens and been through exams etc etc. What makes the OP's lying child so special?

🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️🙄

MILLYmo0se · 22/05/2024 19:53

HelplessSoul · 22/05/2024 19:02

Boo hoo...

We've all been teens and been through exams etc etc. What makes the OP's lying child so special?

🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️🙄

You arent making sense tbh. No one is saying he is the only teen to ever go through this stage, as obviously most of us can remember going through it ourselves. Thankfully most of us realise its not normal to expect someone going through a stressful time to be entirely pleasant 24/7, we are all human and have our asshole moments when going through shit, maybe you are going through stuff at the moment and that's why you are so lacking in empathy for another person

Jarstastic · 23/05/2024 09:30

Sorry to say this but having gone through/ still going through experience with same age son, if you find a vape again have a good look at it. It’s not just elf bars, there are super vapes which have so much nicotine in them and are illegal to be sold in uk shops but bought online. We also didn’t realise about the THC and spice (synthetic cannabis) vapes.

Begaydocrime94 · 23/05/2024 09:38

I'd probably let the vaping thing go for a bit. You've made your views on it clear but if he wants to vape he will continue, he'll just do it in secret :) At least it's not weed etc. You are a great mum btw

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