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Teenagers

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

How to help my miserable teens

27 replies

Newyearsametroubles · 03/01/2025 12:55

i have no idea where to turn. My children take it in turns to be in the deepest of crises. My middle one is unbelievably angry w me, and terrible to us all. This clearly comes from a terrible place within them - they are not an awful person. But it’s too much - I can’t manage. And whatever I try, things seem to get worse. I can’t overcome what is happening by loving them. We are in such deep crisis I have no idea what to do any more. Middle one (girl) has just battered me. I don’t know what to do.

OP posts:
Winter2020 · 03/01/2025 13:00

Call the police?
Her behaviour is not OK.

ShortWide · 03/01/2025 13:03

What’s happening at home/school/wider family and friends?

Oreyt · 03/01/2025 13:16

Winter2020 · 03/01/2025 13:00

Call the police?
Her behaviour is not OK.

That will push her away even more.

How old is the middle one?

Winter2020 · 03/01/2025 13:19

Oreyt · 03/01/2025 13:16

That will push her away even more.

How old is the middle one?

Might stop her mum getting battered again though?

Stuffisperplexing · 03/01/2025 13:20

I would chuck her out

You don't have to submit to assault

Octavia64 · 03/01/2025 13:23

Teens can have very serious crises.

Without knowing the type of crisis it's hard to advise what to do but in general seeking support both for you and for them is good.

NHS mental health support for teens is in tatters. Many schools now employ their own counsellors - it may be worth talking to school because they may be able to refer - possibly to social services for early help, to the school counsellor, or elsewhere.

Winter2020 · 03/01/2025 13:24

To elaborate on my "call the police comment" I have a non verbal autistic 7 year old and if he was a teenager I don't think the police would be appropriate unless it was to make the situation safe as he has no understanding.

If the child in question has a reasonable level of functioning then there should be consequences for battering mum. I think if the child has a reasonable level of functioning then a police visit would go a long way to ensuring it never happens again.

Mum is not a punch bag.

Winter2020 · 03/01/2025 13:27

Alternatively urgently refer your family to social services as you have said you are a family in crisis and cannot cope?

Oreyt · 03/01/2025 13:28

Winter2020 · 03/01/2025 13:27

Alternatively urgently refer your family to social services as you have said you are a family in crisis and cannot cope?

Exactly.
Why didn't you say this before the police comment?

You wanted someone to question this so you could jump in with your own experience. It didn't work.

isthesolution · 03/01/2025 13:29

How old are they? If they are 13/14 the answer is very different to if they are 18/19

OlderandwiserMaybe · 03/01/2025 13:29

Concentrate on looking after yourself. I know this is easier said than done - so I'm sending a hand hold.

Teenagers have such a rough time these days and so many are needing help. Issue is that the "help" wont work until they themselves seek it out. Hope that makes sense. Ie there's no point "forcing" them or even encouraging counselling services for example.

Try to realise is them not you and release yourself from the guilt - whatever their issues they are highly unlikely to be your fault.

Then just be there for them when they do finally need you.

Caveat this if you are in actual physical danger - your child hitting you is not ok obviously. Do you have any ongoing support?

Winter2020 · 03/01/2025 13:32

Oreyt · 03/01/2025 13:28

Exactly.
Why didn't you say this before the police comment?

You wanted someone to question this so you could jump in with your own experience. It didn't work.

I still think the police would be the best course of action.

I don't "want anybody to question it" - whether someone else agrees is entirely up to them.

Social Services are an alternative course of action. There are pros and cons to each and police would probably refer to social services anyway. They are hardly going to lock her up are they? Probably won't even be able to get them to come. But in the days where they would visit and talk about the consequences of that action if they were older were very helpful.

You sound very spiteful and quite weird.

Winter2020 · 03/01/2025 13:33

Oreyt · 03/01/2025 13:28

Exactly.
Why didn't you say this before the police comment?

You wanted someone to question this so you could jump in with your own experience. It didn't work.

Also my experience of what?
I've never had a teenager and never been beat up by family.
Not my experience just my suggestion which we are all allowed to make.

Edit: of course if OP were to elaborate that her child has the mental age of a toddler the police would not be appropriate - that much is obvious.

Oreyt · 03/01/2025 14:55

You've never had a teenager so stop advising the op to call the police on hers.

I'm not spiteful. I'm not the one wanting the police involved.

Alikelypath777 · 03/01/2025 15:17

Op I have to go out so forgive brief response.

Please know that you are not alone.

Teens go through enormous plasticity in their brains, just like a toddler does, and the onslaught of hormones can make them very difficult to live with.

Obviously it’s hard to know what is going on and why your middle teen is reacting this way but seek out a licensed psychologist experienced with adolescents.

Look up the organisation PEGS UK that deals with children on parent violence which happens more than you think.

Don’t bother with the Mumsnet search engine but Google “Holding on to the end of the rope Mumsnet” and you will come across four threads on the Mumsnet teen board that discusses the same issues you are having: read at least the first two,

Lastly: Google Lisa Damour and listen to her podcast and read her books!

In general, try to take a step back emotionally,

Do not whatever you do take their emotional crises personally. They are lashing out at you to relieve themselves of their own anxieties.

Spend some time boosting your own confidence and self worth by doing things you enjoy.

Live your own life and although it’s very hard to do, try and model positivity and cheerfulness to your teens if you can.

They need us to be the calm granite rock that holds them steady while they thrash about a bit!

And they also need us to show them that adulthood is worth striving for!

Don’t get so entwined with their emotional ups and downs that you get overwhelmed too. And if you feel yourself going that way; get yourself some support too,

Adolescence is a turbulent time when some mh issues can manifest themselves so keep an eye on that, but in most cases, this will get better, they will come out the other side but it’s a marathon not a sprint. So treat yourself well and bolster yourself up as much as you can. Don’t allow yourself to be drained of all emotional resources because you won’t be able to help them then.

Good luck 💐

Porcuporpoise · 03/01/2025 19:20

Oreyt · 03/01/2025 14:55

You've never had a teenager so stop advising the op to call the police on hers.

I'm not spiteful. I'm not the one wanting the police involved.

I disagree with you totally, police are a totally valid choice if you are being subject to domestic abuse (because that's what this is). As an added bonus social services are likely to be far more responsive if the police are involved.

Ifeelfat · 03/01/2025 19:43

OP you can skip to @Alikelypath777 advice - sensible, compassionate and well researched.

From the mother of a 20yr old and an 18yo who both had their issues, one SN, holding on through these years is key. You will get through them but god it’s tough. Keeping sight of your own mental heath is paramount - sometimes you do just need to step away to regroup. 💐

Newyearsametroubles · 04/01/2025 16:36

Never ever ever going to call the police on my dear amazing vulnerable child, who is having a terrible time.

i will look up those threads - thank you.

social services are offering a bit of support (via a different child, who is also in crisis). What is SO hard is trying to get beyond everyone just ping-ponging despair and distress around…

OP posts:
1newname · 04/01/2025 22:58

Newyearsametroubles · 04/01/2025 16:36

Never ever ever going to call the police on my dear amazing vulnerable child, who is having a terrible time.

i will look up those threads - thank you.

social services are offering a bit of support (via a different child, who is also in crisis). What is SO hard is trying to get beyond everyone just ping-ponging despair and distress around…

Sorry to hear you're going through a hard time but it's reassuring to hear it's not just me. I have 2 very unhappy teens at the moment who veer between wanting all my attention to telling me they won't ever see me again once they've left home. I'm so emotionally drained.

candlelightees · 04/01/2025 23:00

Parenting mental health is an amazing group that has been invaluable for similar experiences.

Definitely recommend.

candlelightees · 04/01/2025 23:00

Facebook group.

Oreyt · 05/01/2025 21:04

@Porcuporpoise

"I disagree with you totally"

Ohh that's me told!!!

Newyearsametroubles · 05/01/2025 21:13

Have been listening to Lisa Damour - so supportive and also the right kind of challenging.
those Mumsnet threads tho, I can’t manage them. Way too tough and bleak for me at the moment…

OP posts:
KimMumsnet · 05/01/2025 22:06

Hello, OP. We're sorry you're going through this.

We're going to add a link to our https://www.mumsnet.com/i/mental-health-webguide Mental Health webguide here - we do understand it's not specifically mental health issues you're experiencing but there are some helpful organisations listed on there which may be somewhere for you to turn if things are feeling too much, so we hope you don't mind us signposting this for you.

All the best from us all at MNHQ.

Mental Health Webguide | Mumsnet

A guide to information and services related to mental health support. Find reliable organisations and support services here.

https://www.mumsnet.com/i/mental-health-webguide

Alikelypath777 · 06/01/2025 05:34

Newyearsametroubles · 05/01/2025 21:13

Have been listening to Lisa Damour - so supportive and also the right kind of challenging.
those Mumsnet threads tho, I can’t manage them. Way too tough and bleak for me at the moment…

LD is great isn’t she 😀

Really sorry to hear about those threads though op. Didn’t mean to upset you further by recommending them, I thought they would be appropriate as you mentioned pretty serious issues.

I found them rather positive as lots of more experienced mumsnetters contributed their experience and many frequently advised that things would improve. Totally understand where you are coming from though and hope you are able to access support through other means.

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