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Teenagers

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

Teen using my products

1 reply

Anonyone1 · 01/02/2026 16:04

Just turned 13 year old. Using my (very expensive) serum. It’s the latest in a long list of things of mine she’s helped herself to. Last week I caught her using my face powder.
She’s been doing it for years and we have had so many conversations about it.
I’ve explained that it’s always ok for her to ask and that way I can say yes or most likely no. And if it’s no, I can explain why, but it’s disrespectful and upsetting when she sneaks it. I’ve explained very clearly that it could be dangerous if there is something in my products that are not appropriate for her skin.
She has her own specific skincare products that I buy for her - and they’re decent brands. She knows this.
i’ve explained that she can now have my products, but that I will be presenting her with a bill for the replacements that I will buy for myself to replace them.
Aside from this what the hell do we do?! There are other trust issues as well - sneaking her laptop to her bedroom when we have a firm no tech in bedrooms rule. We are at our wits end!

OP posts:
ClothesHorseProblems · 01/02/2026 16:42

Practically speaking, lock your new products away in a suitable container so she can't use them. Follow through on charging her for your replacement stuff now that you've said it. Turn off the WiFi at night. Or change the password on her laptop every evening. Don't allow there to be opportunities where she can do the same stuff over and over that's against your rules.

You can speak to her about trust and about respect for other people and their property, but lectures don't really land right at any age, but especially not teenagers.

I'd ask her why she's behaving as she is and do a lot of listening. Try to find any and all ways to improve your relationship. Sort out these issues quickly and strongly now and then draw a line and work on looking for the good. Spend more time together, listen more, laugh more. This is the point where you need your kid to feel like you're on their side. Because it's going to get very messy and scary for the next 5 years and you need them to be able to talk to you. Does she understand that stealing your possessions is upsetting for you. Teens don't want their parents to be angry/upset with them, but they don't often see how all rules are relevant to them, especially not safety based rules like laptops in bedrooms or products that might hurt their skin. Teens think they know everything, they'll eyeroll until their heads fall off and then ignore you because we're so old and irrelevant and what could we possibly know?

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