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Teenagers

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

Can't cope with teenagers any more

152 replies

Springhare76 · 07/07/2025 14:12

Just that really. I have DS1, 17 and DS2, 15 years (plus DS3 who is 7). I have basically raised DS1 and 2 singlehandedly since my ex had an affair and moved out when they were 1 and 3 years. I've worked full time their entire childhoods to give them the best I can, a lovely house that I own, clothes, 2-3 holidays per year, private school and yet they have turned out to be horrible, uncaring people who seem to hate me. They literally have nothing to say to me, reply with phrases like, "what are you talking about?" if I ask anything about them, imply I am stupid etc. They come and go as they want, order Deliveroo all the time, don't tidy their rooms and hardly clear up after themselves, plus constantly have friends over. They go out and never tell me where they are and never answer their phones so I worry constantly where they are. They use my gym membership and DS2 uses my debit card. I want to take them on holiday this summer but they both refuse as they want to hang out with their friends. DS2 plays a lot of football so I drive him to endless football matches - he never says thank you and tell me I'm embarrassing him if I watch the game. He'll glare at me if I ask him something and refuse to answer. None of the other players are like this and all seem kind to their mums. I also drive him to school every day as his school is far away, it takes me 30 mins then and 50 on the way back. Again, never a please or thank you. The older one has ADHD and we have had the roughest few years with a permanent school exclusion, failed managed move and then having to get tutors in every subject to get him to do any revision as he refused to do any if left to his own devices. I have battled to keep him in education but he has no motivation and his attendance is less than 50%. He now goes out most nights at 11pm to 12pm and comes back around 3am. Apparently he is playing basketball then goes to the gym. I fell asleep at 1am last night then woke up at 3am and realised he was out of the house. He came back at 3.30am then stayed up until 6am so obviously then missed the entire day of sixth room as he's asleep. I couldn't get back to sleep after that so have been awake since 3am. I basically went crazy at him and told him he needs to go and live with his dad as I cannot take this anymore. I have put a bar on his phone as it's the only influence I have , that and money. What did I do wrong in raising them? I am heartbroken that it has come to this. I don't see a way I can have a relationship with either of them again given the amount of unkindness and disrespect.

OP posts:
GladHedgehog · 11/03/2026 16:44

Springhare76 · 07/07/2025 14:26

Thanks Galatic, all good ideas but they basically do what they want. I can't even get their phones off them to try and install life360 or anything else. And what if they don't comply? There is no stick to beat them with. I actually called Social Services earlier to see if I could put them into care as I can't take it any more and I need to be able to sleep.

Who pays for their phones? If its you, you know you could stop right? You dont even need to discuss it, just cancel the payments.

Beyond that, just give them less: less money, no access to your debit card, no gym membership, no lifts. Give them more responsibility: for earning their own money, for doing their own laundry, for helping out with the house.

You have a lot of power here, if you care to use it.

GladHedgehog · 11/03/2026 16:49

Springhare76 · 11/03/2026 12:48

I am also super worried as he gets access to his Child Trust Fund when he turns 18 which has nearly 30k in it and I have no way of stopping this (have checked) other than just refusing to give him the account details which I fully intend to do.

Does he know this money is waiting for him? If not, then dont tell him , intercept the letter telling him/you its matured and just do nothing for a year or 3. My ds has only just now redeemed his at 20 as we lost the details then forgot about it (only had £400 in it).

Springhare76 · 11/03/2026 17:13

GladHedgehog · 11/03/2026 16:49

Does he know this money is waiting for him? If not, then dont tell him , intercept the letter telling him/you its matured and just do nothing for a year or 3. My ds has only just now redeemed his at 20 as we lost the details then forgot about it (only had £400 in it).

He was aware but think he has forgotten and may not know how much. I will also be forgetting where I put the account details for quite a few years. Really wish I had not paid so much into it other the years given that they automatically get it at 18 and you cannot control what they do with it. Such a stupid idea.

OP posts:
allwillbe · 11/03/2026 17:50

Deeply sympathetic op but he needs to be told to move out. Had lots of very serious issues with mine - trauma and complex but similiar lack of school engagement. I became obsessed with sixth form attendance which was about same as yours. Worried about it going to bed and every morning it was an awful battle. Eventually I just let it go. Gave up. Realised that I had no control over it- school couldn’t make them, social services couldn’t and I was aware I had helped them all their lives achieve things, go to clubs etc which were expensive and I just had to let go of the expectation of a levels, uni go and that despite getting 9’s in all the GCSEs - a levels were not going to happen
Once you do that, it is sad I know, but it helped. As it was killing me and all my stress and pushing them made absolutely no difference
i do think a job, rent to you or preferably a room in a shared house will give you time to re set your relationship with him. He can go back to education but he does need to understand that if he gives up education he must pay his way. Though I ABSOLUTELY understand this is very difficult if he refuses to work

ednaclouda · 11/03/2026 22:23

sophistitroll · 09/07/2025 09:09

I’m also a lone parent to teens and have really strict boundaries. The kids call it my constitution but they accept it. Consistency is key. They get an allowance and that’s it. If they want anything I say “have you got the money?” And if not they don’t get. The exception to this is UBER which has a card on my account and they have to ask first or I reduce their allowance by the corresponding amount

they have no access to my cards and no idea of my card details. They can only have Deliveroo if they pay and it’s not an alternative to home dinner. When I’m working there’s pasta, pizza, beige stuff or left overs for them to eat. Sometimes I’ll get something M&S meals.

life 360 is non negotiable and I don’t respond to rudeness and make them repeat and repeat until it’s polite. Any detention or misbehaviour at school I hear about is £10 off their allowance. If they get to the point they have no money they can’t go out. Not my problem. You HAVE to be the boss. You’re the mother, end of

Love this love this
how the hell can they disrespect there mom
makes my blood boil

fashionqueen0123 · 11/03/2026 22:31

Springhare76 · 11/03/2026 12:46

I just cancelled his phone contract. I feel terrible doing it but I am so angry at his complete refusal to get out of bed in the mornings. I can't bear it. He is 18 at the end of the month. I have asked to keep the number so he can transfer it to a new provider if he wants to find one and pay for it himself (he won't as he doesn't have any money).

At 18 I was working in a shop at weekends to pay for stuff like that. Isn’t he earning any of his own money?! Maybe this will give him the push to look for work. I wouldn’t feel bad!

Littleorangeflowers · 12/03/2026 13:38

Springhare76 · 11/03/2026 12:38

Sorry, have name changed but coming back here for more advice.

So the 15 year is much improved, aced his mocks and I think will be ok.

Eldest DC is worse than ever. Staying up all night drinking energy drinks, making a nose, and then sleeping all day, refusing to get up for sixth form despite me shouting at him. Another massive row this morning as he refused ot get up which ended with me cancelling his phone contract so he will no longer have a mobile after 30 days. His attendance is 38% so I highly doubt he will get anything above an E in his A-levels. I have tried "dropping the rope" but he then does even less (will lie in bed all day every day as opposed to occasionally getting up). He is 18 next month and I have no idea how he plans to support himself or what he intends to do with his life. I have asked him to move in with his dad if he refuses to go to school but he refuses to do that as well.

I think you've done well here. PAYG phone for him might concentrate his mind. You've transferred his number, nice, he can't complain, given him notice.

Re 'normal' teenage behaviour. I'm afraid it is becoming normal. Not normal for 90s teens. But today ... 😫🤷🏻‍♀️

Chargingelephants · 12/03/2026 13:58

GladHedgehog · 11/03/2026 16:44

Who pays for their phones? If its you, you know you could stop right? You dont even need to discuss it, just cancel the payments.

Beyond that, just give them less: less money, no access to your debit card, no gym membership, no lifts. Give them more responsibility: for earning their own money, for doing their own laundry, for helping out with the house.

You have a lot of power here, if you care to use it.

OP are you taking this good advice onboard?

Springhare76 · 23/03/2026 16:41

allwillbe · 11/03/2026 17:50

Deeply sympathetic op but he needs to be told to move out. Had lots of very serious issues with mine - trauma and complex but similiar lack of school engagement. I became obsessed with sixth form attendance which was about same as yours. Worried about it going to bed and every morning it was an awful battle. Eventually I just let it go. Gave up. Realised that I had no control over it- school couldn’t make them, social services couldn’t and I was aware I had helped them all their lives achieve things, go to clubs etc which were expensive and I just had to let go of the expectation of a levels, uni go and that despite getting 9’s in all the GCSEs - a levels were not going to happen
Once you do that, it is sad I know, but it helped. As it was killing me and all my stress and pushing them made absolutely no difference
i do think a job, rent to you or preferably a room in a shared house will give you time to re set your relationship with him. He can go back to education but he does need to understand that if he gives up education he must pay his way. Though I ABSOLUTELY understand this is very difficult if he refuses to work

Thank you for this. I am at my wits end again today after he stayed up all night last night and then slept all day today (he's still asleep now), missed another entire day of school. I am now trying to decide whether he should even sit his A-levels as I can't see how he is going to pass any of them. Is it better to just give up or have a go and fail? I doubt he will retake given that he can't be bothered to go to any lessons now, not sure why he would go next year. The question is what he is going to do. He stays up all night, on his phone, making a mess, and then sleeps all day. Barely goes out, looks a state. No interest or motivation to do anything it seems. I want him to move out but I doubt I can get him to go. I am honestly despairing but also so sad that he has thrown his life away. What did I do wrong?

OP posts:
mullers1977 · 23/03/2026 16:51

I'm sure you d had lots of advice but can you shut off the wifi at night? Give him melatonin to get back into a sleep routine it’s so hard once you’ve changed your sleeping pattern. Don’t stop him taking exams, I think that’s a cop out for him and easIer. Ultimately you might need to let him fail, once his friends are off at uni or working maybe reality will kick in. I mucked up my a levels by working too much in my part time job but I had incredible jobs afterwards x my local council ran gnvqs and I took one in business admin x there might be something like that he can do x

crazeekat · 23/03/2026 17:17

You need outside help. Immediately. You need to phone social services again and make it known the them that you are struggling bad, and you need! Not want a social worker, before you do something silly. You need to go to there schools and ask for social work involvement too. They all have a duty of care to the boys. You need to stop all financial access immediately to your kids. My blood is boiling for you but they have learnt they don’t need to respect you, thy have no rules. And you give them everything. They are treating you as a piece of shit on their shoes. You need to stop the phone payments, change WiFi codes, take keys away. The lot. You need to reboot yourself. Do not take them on any holidays. They deserve nothing. Only when you feel things have changed and they have made changed do you let them slowly start getting privileges if not they will keep walking over you. You need to speak to social work again and demand!!!! That they see you. Tell them u are throwing kids out for your own safely and own wellbeing. You need to speak to your gp too, you’re heading for a nervous breakdown.

Springhare76 · 25/03/2026 12:06

crazeekat · 23/03/2026 17:17

You need outside help. Immediately. You need to phone social services again and make it known the them that you are struggling bad, and you need! Not want a social worker, before you do something silly. You need to go to there schools and ask for social work involvement too. They all have a duty of care to the boys. You need to stop all financial access immediately to your kids. My blood is boiling for you but they have learnt they don’t need to respect you, thy have no rules. And you give them everything. They are treating you as a piece of shit on their shoes. You need to stop the phone payments, change WiFi codes, take keys away. The lot. You need to reboot yourself. Do not take them on any holidays. They deserve nothing. Only when you feel things have changed and they have made changed do you let them slowly start getting privileges if not they will keep walking over you. You need to speak to social work again and demand!!!! That they see you. Tell them u are throwing kids out for your own safely and own wellbeing. You need to speak to your gp too, you’re heading for a nervous breakdown.

I have tried contacting Social Services and they won't help plus he is 18 on Saturday which I think changes things. Yet another day today with him lying in bed, refusing to get up, just horrific. I went in to shout at him and he thew my phone across the room. Breaks my heart but I think the only way to get him out is to change the locks otherwise he's not going to go. He has no respect for me and we have no relationship any more. I don't even want to celebrate his birthday with him. He won't do anything anyway, just lie in bed all day.

OP posts:
Springhare76 · 25/03/2026 12:08

mullers1977 · 23/03/2026 16:51

I'm sure you d had lots of advice but can you shut off the wifi at night? Give him melatonin to get back into a sleep routine it’s so hard once you’ve changed your sleeping pattern. Don’t stop him taking exams, I think that’s a cop out for him and easIer. Ultimately you might need to let him fail, once his friends are off at uni or working maybe reality will kick in. I mucked up my a levels by working too much in my part time job but I had incredible jobs afterwards x my local council ran gnvqs and I took one in business admin x there might be something like that he can do x

Do you actually think he should sit his A-levels? Pretty sure he won't bother turning up and if he does he will probably get Us. Seems pointless.

OP posts:
mullers1977 · 25/03/2026 12:26

Springhare76 · 25/03/2026 12:08

Do you actually think he should sit his A-levels? Pretty sure he won't bother turning up and if he does he will probably get Us. Seems pointless.

I do understand, but by not sitting them he can’t fail, which I think he probably should and then learn that’s a consequence x it is easier to hide away x plus I think school still get paid if he sits them, and that way should he have a change of heart over the holidays and want to retake then you’ll have somewhere for him to go
could you get him to a gym? I really recommend trying melatonin to reset his sleeping pattern x

Springhare76 · 25/03/2026 14:15

mullers1977 · 25/03/2026 12:26

I do understand, but by not sitting them he can’t fail, which I think he probably should and then learn that’s a consequence x it is easier to hide away x plus I think school still get paid if he sits them, and that way should he have a change of heart over the holidays and want to retake then you’ll have somewhere for him to go
could you get him to a gym? I really recommend trying melatonin to reset his sleeping pattern x

Thank you. My only concern with melatonin is that it's not that he can't sleep without reason, it's because he has been asleep all day so isn't tired. He gets up around 5 or 6pm most days.

I hear you about letting him fail, however, his attendance is 33% and he has missed most of the course through non attendance so he is very very likely to fail. He probably won't even attempt the paper as he did in his mocks as he has no knowledge.

OP posts:
Oddlyfull · 27/04/2026 15:32

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Springhare76 · 27/04/2026 15:45

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Here to cause more trouble? Are you actually a troll as you seem to be stalking me across several threads.

OP posts:
Oddlyfull · 27/04/2026 15:48

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Springhare76 · 27/04/2026 15:50

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No they haven't - I am actually at the end of my tether and considering jumping off a bridge and it's people like you that actually might make me to do it. Happy now?

OP posts:
Oddlyfull · 27/04/2026 15:53

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Littleorangeflowers · 27/04/2026 15:55

Some get jobs don't they. And then thrive sometimes?! I agree plan b planning is an idea.

Springhare76 · 27/04/2026 15:57

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You have no idea whether or not my son will fail his A-levels

OP posts:
Phewthatwasclose · 02/05/2026 20:25

I’m so sorry things have got worse with your DS1.

I have a similar child and honestly, the only thing that works is love bombing and bring kind (believe me I’ve tried all the things the other posters suggest but it’s different if your child is ND) and trying to understand where he’s coming from, then putting the ball im his court.

At the moment he sounds exhausted and depressed (and so do you - hugs) and I think the only thing to do now od forget all about A levels. Uni etc and concentrate on rebuilding your relationship with him. 💐

Mummyoflittledragon · 03/05/2026 01:28

Phewthatwasclose · 02/05/2026 20:25

I’m so sorry things have got worse with your DS1.

I have a similar child and honestly, the only thing that works is love bombing and bring kind (believe me I’ve tried all the things the other posters suggest but it’s different if your child is ND) and trying to understand where he’s coming from, then putting the ball im his court.

At the moment he sounds exhausted and depressed (and so do you - hugs) and I think the only thing to do now od forget all about A levels. Uni etc and concentrate on rebuilding your relationship with him. 💐

Agreed there. Lots and lots of love. Gentle parenting.

BusterGonad · 03/05/2026 02:52

@GalacticGymnasticthat is way too many changes at once and will fail imo. Way to harsh. Personally I think it's terrible advice.