Being called a bitch

[CervixSampler]

How do you respond when someone calls you a bitch? I hate being called a bitch, mare, cow etc. There's something about it that really offends me. Maybe because they are insulting female names. What's a good comeback? One of my favourite fictional character agrees with the name caller and corrects him (it's usually a him) to say "that's lieutenant bitch to you" and I love her for it but as I hate the word I don't want to encourage it. To make matters worse it's my own daughter who calls me these names. The one who I raised a feminist who decided her abusive dad was the better parent.

Thank you for your replies, I am reading them. It's been a fraught few days and her behaviour at school and towards her friends is dreadful. She threatens people, tells them to kill themselves, says they shouldn't have been born (me that was), stealing, assaults, drinking, and is truant regularly. She has behaved so badly that I am no longer willing to see her or even talk to her until she shows some consistently Improved behaviour. She has sunk so low this week that I feel sick. SS closed the case a few weeks back. It's a mess. Calling me a bit h is the least of it really but shows the deeply ingrained misogyny of her father and his ex-partner.it's hard enough when then grow up but when they become like this it's heart-breaking.

Okay, I'm so sorry for you both. My advice now seems like sticking plaster for a gaping wound. I know when I'm out of my depth. I wish I had something for you more than platitudes, or that prayers worked...and I was religious. I hope SS or the school or someone actually has some practical help.

OP I spend most of my time on MN on FWR so I'm not familiar with the other boards, but I advise you to consider posting about your problem on, say, the parenting board? Obviously, continue to try to get help elsewhere.

Also, at the risk of being patronising, don't forget to try to take care of your own mental health.

Once again, best wishes.