Friends 14 year old daughter has grown from a very strong willed, rather spoiled (by their own admittance) and cheeky little girl to a teenager who is hard to handle. Well that’s putting it mildly.
Steals from parents - doesn’t need to, but does and says, when asked ‘yeah - what are you going to do about it?’
Goes through mums bag.
Any ‘goodies’ (biscuits, sweeties) in the house are eaten/hidden very quickly. So they just don’t buy them anymore.
Hides parents keys, phones, work passes - for days sometimes. Says she has done it. It’s a fun game for her.
Violent - has hit/kicked parents and brother. They have never raised a hand to her. She goads them to and says ‘and I’m gonna call social services hahahahahha!’
Verbal - proper toddler tantrum when she doesn’t get her own way (and this can be anything).
’lost’ her phone - ie hid it as she wanted a new one.
Seems to enjoy winding up her parents and brother - lies (honking obvious ones), shouts, name calling, insults, spends her money on crap food (then won’t eat homemade food) and clothes & makeup, won’t wash/brush teeth if she can help it (has had adult teeth removed).
No one else sees this - school, other family, friends… She appears to be a polite, rather shy girl. Behaves with grandparents.
Can honestly say - lovely family, no obvious ‘causes’ (no trauma, illness, bullying at school, etc etc etc).
She’s at a ‘really good’ school, doing ok (not amazing but there are some subject she’s good at and she is taking them). Has refused to go to some classes which will means the school won’t let her take the gcse (next year). She says she doesn’t care. The school would happily exclude if she becomes a problem there as they have families lining up to get in.
I don’t know what to say to my friend. Her mum is desperately ill and has more than enough on her plate. They are at an utter loss. She seems to be enjoying it.
When she gets her way she is lovely - but if she hears ‘no’ or decides to just for the hell if it, she becomes this person…
Has anyone experienced similar?