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thirteen
Posted by:
trina barnum on
March 25, 2007 at
9:08AM EST
I just need some advise. My thirteen is going through something she wont talk to me about anything. When I ask her she says nothings wrong, but I know there is. She started doing bad in school. When I ask her to do something I get the same anwser later. About a month ago i told her she couldnt go out after school, because she didnt go to school she had atay home sick. I know when I stayed home sick I didnt go anywhere. For three hours she srceamed and yell and cryed and just through a fit till i just couldnt stand it anymore and told her to go. The next time this happened I endup slapping her (then felt like crap and cryed). She has been hanging out with girls that are two years older and thinks she can do what they do. And started lying to me. Ones a virgin and ones not.. The ones thats not is manipulating and has divorce parents that arent there for her. The father will take off and leave her over the weekend(she's 14). I've notice that since my daughter started hanging out with her she trys to get away with more. She get mad when i tell she has to check in and if I tell she cant go it go into her screaming at me. We live in trailer park so its hard keepong her from the kids. And I dont want to. I just want to be able to get along and stop the fighting. I got her into counseling at school. They have told me she seems to have low self esteem and thats another one I cant figure out. I have always told my girls that they are beautiful and that they can be anything that they want. My daughter is 5'8 has blue eyes is shaped how girls should be she is slim but not skinny. She has always like boy clothes which is fine cause girls clothes are to revealing. When she wheres girls clothes she looks like shes sixteen and that scares me. I love her so much and just want to keep her as safe as I kin, just with less fighting and screaming. Oh she is lazy dont want to do anything around the how to help. I know part of is just growing up but, Any Any help would be apperciated
(6) Answers
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Posted by: Anonymous on April 2, 2007 4:30PM EST
Catch it quickly. Thirteen is not too young. If the signs tell you there is a problem then follow your hunches. We did not follow ours when we should have and it lead to drug addiction. Go to your physician and get checks for STDs and drug use. The kids know how to beat the drug tests so be certain it is real urine from her when you get her tested. If you belong to Kaiser they have a great program (CDRP). Contact them and see if they can help. Try to find a counselor that you and your child can connect with. If you don't catch it now it will only get worse. Good luck and find help.
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Posted by: Lily on March 30, 2007 11:52AM EST
Trina, txsmom and daisy have really given you some good advice. I have always heard that kids want and need boundaries. There are different challenges at different ages. I remember when we moved our kids to a bed from a crib. They came out of their room again and again asking to stay up! It took forever to get them to sleep...but eventually they realized the getting out of bed was getting them nowhere and they finally gave up! It would have been way easier to let them get up, play and fall asleep on the floor. At least my husband and I could have had dinner uninterrupted. But once they know their tactics work, they'll continue using them. Get some earplugs and let her scream and cry, BUT DO NOT GIVE IN TO HER when you've already taken a stand. It 's hard, but trust your gut. I suspect the girls she's hanging out with are a bad influence. It kills me that all the good work we've tried to do over the years, can be eroded by some unsavory friends. Keep on keeping on.... Lily
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Posted by: TxMom on March 30, 2007 12:57AM EST
No matter what you do, stay calm and firm. Your daughter is not alone, get her into a youth group, call 20 different churches if you have to and ask to speak to the Youth Pastor and ask if they have any programs for young teen girls. Once you find a commuity church, invite some of her girlfriends to go with her. She will probably resist at first. If she does not want to go, don't give her a choice. Invite her friends incase she doesn't. If you have a local university around or community college, call the counselors there and ask for a tour. Call your local hospitals and ask if they are needing volunteers, some of the requirements are very minimal. Your daughter and her friends may just learn how lucky they are to be healthy and have a great Mom on their side. There is power in prayer, get to know your neighbors and your friends parents. Try and form a community meeting for her and her friends including the parents. We girls/women have to stick together ,no matter what our age is, tell your daughter one day she will help others and leave behind a legacy of love and hope. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. TxMom
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Posted by: leslee on March 27, 2007 6:32PM EST
Hey shes probably going though a stange she likes someone and is emberest to tell any one about it and her friends arn't making it any better if their in a fight or something just have some girl time u no go to the mall,movies just have a fun day that will probably help take her out of school coulsuling and put her in a a different 1. set aside some time 4 her and u and ur other kids if u have others. law down the law but not 2 harsh u no just give her a little space is all.
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Posted by: juff on March 27, 2007 11:28AM EST
From what I understand, this is a very difficult time especially with girls. If it gives you any hope, my niece used to scream at, hit and disregard my sister completely at this age. She is now a wonderful, respectful 20 year old young lady. Don't give up on her. Keep loving her and stay in her business the best you can. Think of something the two of you used to enjoy doing together that you could do without arguing. Let her always know that you love her even though you might not currently like her!
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Posted by: Daisy on March 27, 2007 9:37AM EST
Hi Trina, I also have a thirteen year old daughter and it is a guessing game everyday as to which mood I'm going to get from her. My advise to you is this... As hard as it is to listen to the fighting and complaining, you have to stick to your guns when you are disciplining her. Believe me I know it's way easier to let her go out and be with her friends ( who do sound like they are not the right crowd for her to be hanging with), but when you say no, you have to mean it. I have a hard time with this also, but then I realize I really don't care what my daughter thinks about me, I'm the parent and what I am doing is in her best interest. I think you were very smart to get her into counseling at school, it does sound like something is going on, it may be she feels pressure from these older friends to participate in things she just not ready for. Maybe the counselor can help. Have you tried talking to the girls parents who she's hanging out with? Or even the girls? I get alot of info from my daughters friends without them even realizing it. I hope this helps to at least let you know your not the only parent going through this. Good luck, Daisy
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