Having trouble with 13 yr old daughter
Compared to the things I've seen on TV and online, this may seem like nothing, however it is of great comcern to me. My husband and I have been married 16 years... we're struggling financially presently but never allow our only child to "go without".
She's changed quite a bit over the past summer - started her period and the hormones & all that go along with that. We had some wonderful moments together but she acts as though I am her worst enemy now.
Prior to our fiscal problems, she was living a rather "posh" life. She says that she understands what we're dealing with things as best we can yet treats us with no respect at all! Her father grew up with 4 sisters and seems to relate to his child much better than me. I was always the "bad guy" when it came to discipline. Still am I suppose?
I have an auto-immune chronic disease. I know that my daughter has overheard converstaions about medical bills and certainly by now realizes that I cannot work full-time because of being sick. I thought the benefit to this situation is that I am able to be home with her more than I was before I was diagnosed. I want her to live a normal childhood without worrying about me or my health.
I have asked (begged) for her to help around the house... all to no avail. She's wonderful when she is at a school or a friends house yet comes home with an attitude that I find completely unacceptable. No detail aside from back-talk, refusal to help without complaints & complete loss of manners w/ both her father and myself.
Her father is wanting to "keep peace" at all costs while I need him to be on page with me as parenting is concerned. He says that he hates it when we argue but does nothing to help me when I am with her most of the time.
We do both agree that something needs to change, that is for sure but aside from counseling (which I have tried w/ her school proffesionals). I do comprehend that some of this behavior is normal given her age but still need REAL help dealing with it all.