Just found this old post, but it sounds just like my 14 (almost 15) year old daughter. She seems to have changed completely this year going into high school - although my wife and I recognize she's been very much a handful all her life. At this point, she has not been diagnosed with any conditions and doesn't appear to be experimenting with drugs or alcohol. What she does do is ... nothing. Nothing when asked, given choices, or ultimatums. Both positive or negative reinforcement don't seem to work. We've taken her phone at times, and also removed her bedroom door so we can at least go in her room without a fight/locked door when she spends time there. She is struggling with school (at least not getting all A's like she's always done), is in the school marching band, and dances 3 nights a week. She has groups of friends, and recently had some over to watch movies. That night she was her normal self and was excited. Most times unfortunately she'll scream over anything that doesn't go her own way, of course hates us, and says we ruin her life. We've tried to talk to her, and she just won't say anything. Threatens to not go to school (she has missed some), refused to go to a counseling session (the first one we scheduled last week), and is just miserable. It seems any response from my wife or I to her ends in an argument. The only way to deal with her is apparently to leave her alone, which kills me inside and I know this isn't the answer ... running out of ideas and patience. I really don't want to admit her anywhere but don't know what to do. How do I balance being a parent, and not driving her completely away or down a bad path?
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