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Teenagers

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

Worried about dd relationship red flags

9 replies

RobotGamer · 10/04/2026 19:40

My dd is only 14 and has her first boyfriend. They have been together a few months but I’ve noticed things that are concerning me.
I have seen boyfriend grab dd phone and look through it even though she told him not to. I had to step in to get it off him.
He is also very touchy feely and dd has said to stop and he only did after she moved away.
He gets very inquisitive if another boys name is mentioned.
I also have reason to believe he’s isolated dd from her friend.
There are other things too but these are the ones I’ve noticed that have concerned me.

They’re red flags aren’t they? I’m only asking as of course I’m very defensive of my dd and worried I am seeing things worse as I don’t want her to have a boyfriend at this age. I split from dd dad for a similar reason so hope I’m not just overly sensitive to this. I don’t think I am being.

I have told her my concerns and she says it’s not a problem, I explained she needs to see what a healthy relationship looks like and she says this one is healthy and boyfriend is just joking around.

What can I do?

OP posts:
RobotGamer · 10/04/2026 20:30

.

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ohwtf · 10/04/2026 20:37

Yes they are very big red flags for a possessive coercive and controlling boyfriend. Ideally she should get as far away from him as possible, but teens don't make that easy.

Coercive Control in Teen Relationships

Coercive Control in Teen Relationships - Services For Education

Preparing children for positive personal relationships and keeping themselves safe...

https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/blog/safeguarding/coercive-control-in-teen-relationships/

LaverneBakerImtheonetodoitNSOUL · 10/04/2026 20:51

If that's Infront of you,what the hell is he like when they're on their own.
14 is no age to be dealing with this despite what DD says.

Mummyoflittledragon · 10/04/2026 23:31

Coercive control is very common amongst teens. I would be very concerned if I were you.

I would work on your relationship with your dd. Fill her as much love, self esteem and self worth as you can. Try to make things as positive as possible and to do things together and with family so that you crowd him out a bit. I would also try to help her to salvage her friendships. Do you know any of your dd’s friends enough to have their numbers? And if so, could you contact them in a super casual way and ask them if they’re ok, you haven’t seen them in ages and see if they tell you anything? Or if you know their parents, ask their take on it. It’s delicate at this age, I know as they’re only mid teens so you have to be really careful.

Some people also have to see an unhealthy relationship to see what a healthy one is like. So I’m hoping this is the case for you. I know my dd needed to see the edges.

RobotGamer · 11/04/2026 06:45

I am very concerned. I just don’t know what to do to make dd see this is a problem. She knows the reasons I separated from her father too.

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LaverneBakerImtheonetodoitNSOUL · 11/04/2026 06:51

Hopefully others that have been through this can chip in with advice on how to navigate this.
As I said up thread I would be concerned about his behaviour when they're alone and pressures he may be putting on your daughter.

RobotGamer · 11/04/2026 07:37

It’s so hard, especially having to do this alone. I’m trying to think back to when me and ex first got together but even then I truly can’t remember such incidences. Problems appeared later on.

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Unexpectedlysinglemum · 11/04/2026 09:19

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b047zl98 please try and with this with her

RobotGamer · 12/04/2026 14:03

@Unexpectedlysinglemumi will do, thank you

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