I'm sorry that has happened.

I'll tell you that I have been thru this myself. Both as a kid and from my kid, when the teen years were peeking.

It's like a passage we go thru, and they do.

They are doing it the wrong way of course, to try and gain respect for their individual wants and needs by acting disrespectful. It can not ever work.

They need to learn what we did. That respect is given, and trust is earned by behaviors and responsibility to be reliable and that when they do what they say they will, or are at least expected to, their own self-respect develops.

The kid is in that age where - well - you know - we were kids once ourselves.

What helped me most, through the challenging times raising my child, was to think of her as perhaps belonging to someone else - in my mind - so I could figure out the best course of action and not over-react or cause more reasons for the division.

It worked many times because where I might have yelled, or got carried away, or kicked myself for being a lousy mom, or bought the teen-age b.s., I was able to stay strong because I treated her like the whole person she is who is making bad decisions, do to her attitudes.

Took her on a special day one time when we weren't feeling close. Saw a broadway play. Did shopping and lunch. And she had a good time, I saw her attitude melt away. We ended up taking the train home with her head on my shoulder.

((((hugs to you and child))))

See her as the wonderful human being she is, and be honest and forth-right with the problems, in an age appropriate way, and take this time to do one-on-one time, something very special.

Seal the deal.
Love is worth the extra mile.

I am so proud of my adult child today, as she can overcome things, and treat herself well, and she really is someone in this world. Making her dreams come true.
That's all we really want.

If we hear a few outbursts, and spues along the way, so be it, (as long we keep our end up and guide). May they go as far forward as they can. That's the goal.

love,
night

if this wasn't happening, i might wonder if you were being an effective parent, lol. It goes with the turf. you are doing a wonderful job. Just try new approached now when the family dynamic shifts, we must do so too!