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Teenagers

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

Stubborn, self absorbed and spoilt or anxiety?

4 replies

Debbiedoodle123 · 25/04/2026 09:56

dd16 is due to go to her first proper concert tonight- very excited! She had a few friendship issues recently which she has handled really maturely and I’m so proud of this. She definitely has earned a special treat!
dd18 was due to take her (she is a seasoned concert goer and seemed to be looking forwards to it) and had even agreed to take her younger sister shopping this morning to help her buy an outfit. Younger sister was really looking forwards to this as she craves attention from her sibling but it isn’t always forthcoming. Now older sister says she doesn’t want to go to the city as it’s not a place she knows well and wants to go to an alternative place of her choosing. It hardly seems fair at this late stage to change plans and younger sister doesn’t want to go to the alternative as she is likely to see people from school. Sh also wants to go to a shop only available in the city.
dd18 does have anxiety but is perfectly capable of going shopping in new places by herself (she does it on holiday in New York and Paris).
Sh is so bad at doing things she doesn’t want to- she will stick in her heels and you just can’t reason.
Has anyone else got experience of this stubborn refusal to do anything they don’t want to? I’ve tried explaining that as an adult you often have to do things you don’t want to.
We have spent years navigating a smooth path to help her anxiety but I fear we’ve created a young adult who is stubborn, self absorbed and spoilt.

OP posts:
MNLurker1345 · 25/04/2026 10:05

Let them sort it out. 16 and 18, they have to adopt skills of listening and coming to some understanding. One of them is going to have to compromise.

Tell them that you are not getting involved. Keep it light.

I hope it doesn’t escalate and spoil the concert.

On the issue of 18 year old being spoiled, anxious or stubborn, you instilling this into the current situation won’t help.

Miranda65 · 25/04/2026 10:05

Maybe all of those things are in play - it's not necessarily "either/or".

trockodile · 25/04/2026 10:15

It’s probably a bit of both tbh- but imo as it is all happening today, you should concentrate on the important thing-the concert. Can you take DD shopping? Does she need a new outfit? Can you promise a concert t-shirt or sweatshirt instead? Tell older dd that you understand she has anxiety, and tell her you are sorry it’s a bit too much today and what can she mange. I don’t think the shopping is the hill to die on! Good luck!

Debbiedoodle123 · 25/04/2026 10:21

Dad to the rescue and he’s taking dd out for brunch and shopping. He’s a popular choice as he’s just going to linger outside the shop until it’s time to pay! 🤣 just really sad (which is my problem not theirs!) as I know she was looking forwards to shopping with her big sister.
as you all say it’s the concert that’s the important bit so fingers crossed for that. Dd18 isn’t presently speaking to anyone so we might need much more than a dose of luck

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