Discussion forum for parents in Australia
06-17-2018 05:58 AM
Hello, I am new to this board.
My 17 year old son is my fourth and last child. He was a quiet, introverted loving son until the age of 15. We were very close. In the course of a few months, we noticed his mounting moods and we thought that, like the other kids, he was testing our limits like a normal teenager. It got worse and worse.
He mostly doesn't speak much and will avoid us as much as possible. When he does speak, he mumbles and it is clear that he is addressing us because he has to. I have tried everything to reach him, trust me. He even went to see 3 social workers but had an negative things to say about each of them and quit. I have tried to set limits saying that certain things were unacceptable but the only thing that did was to make him even more angry and distant.
I have also tried to love him more being even more gentle in my way of addressing him but soon realized that I was always choosing my words and constantly afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing to make him mad. I wasn't being myself.
He is ANGRY. He is full of rage and blames everything on everyone else. He blames me and his dad for everything under the sky. We are bad parents according to him. Sometimes he says hurtful things like "a good mother should...".
I have tried everything including giving him space thinking that the adolescent rage would eventually pass but I am at my very limit. I am sick of being blamed and unloved by my son. I know he is suffering but so am I.
Sorry about the rambling, I am just typing and crying at the same time, probably not making much sense. I am a good mom and I love my kids so much. Having one hate me is so painful. I just wish someone could tell me what to do to make it better.
06-17-2018 09:28 AM
Hi @Lue17 welcome to ReachOut, thank you for sharing and reaching out to us. It no doubt has been a very difficult time for you and I can see that you love your son very much. It's really hard when we try our best but get blamed for everything that goes wrong. You mentioned that he has been a quiet and introverted loving son until the age of 15, may I ask if anything significant has happened leading up to that time in terms of events? I'm sorry to hear that seeing social workers has not been helpful. I'm wondering if you have tried any counselling support or chatting with a psychologist? Just to let you know also the resources and links on ReachOut provide information to local services within Australia. I can see that you are based overseas so it would be worth looking at local supports within your area. I'm also wondering how you are looking after yourself during this difficult time? It's important to practice some self-care. We are hear to listen and support you. I'll tag some of our members for further support and advice @taokat @sunflowermom @hippychick @Caz01
06-17-2018 03:39 PM
06-17-2018 04:46 PM
I am sorry that your son is not reciprocating the love you are giving him. My 16-17yo son does that to me and his father also. Its pure nonsense that comes out of his mouth and I told him that his accusations that I am a bad parent got so often that I don’t care anymore. In my case, I am certain its just that he is sad bc of a friend that is sick and he has angry at someone. We are the closest and he knows he is loved even when he is hard to take.
Sometimes kids think its our job to make them happy? I am starting to think that they do expect that from us and when we can’t deliver happines, they get angry. I told my son that grown ups hurt, to experience unhappiness is part of life. I can listen, I can try to help, but I can’t fix everything and some pain and frustration is part of his story now.
06-17-2018 10:38 PM
06-18-2018 07:40 AM
Hi and welcome xxx I'm new too. I recently posted about my teenage son taking drugs. It all came to a head and I've realised that I was quite happy to leave him in his pigsty of a room! He was quiet!!!!
I have made made him take part in daily activities, prepare a meal, wash dishes, bring laundry and iron his school uniform for tomorrow! I have spoken to him more today than in a whole year!!!
sometimes we leave them to be babysat by devices when really we should be engaging to help them grow into strong independent individuals.
parenting is certainly a learning curve!!!! I am forever great full to the lovely parents that have given me advice! Hold on in there you are doing an awesome job xx
06-29-2018 04:48 PM
You should ask him to spend time in some hard activities like Football, Cricket or Gym. It is one of the best thing that you can do improve behaviour of your son. If you can give rewards to your son on completion of some task, then it will encourage him to improve himself.
11-12-2018 09:18 AM
It looks like you’re visiting us from a country other than Australia.
We are an Australian service and think you’d benefit more from looking up a similar service in your country.
You are welcome to look around the forums, but please don’t make an account or post, as we can’t offer you the help you may need.
Before you go ahead and post, you should know that we remove non-Australian accounts – not because we don’t want to help or connect with you, but because we may not be able to provide you with the service that you require.