Teenagers!!
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (189793)
Boise, Idaho
August 2, 2016 2:03pm CST
So I live with my daughter and grandson. She asked me several years ago to help her raise her son and I committed to do so. She is bi-polar and has a slight learning disability due to the ambilical cord being wrapped around her neck several times at birth. Her disability isn't really discernable unless you are around her alot. My grandson has characteristics of ODD(Oppositional Defiance Disorder) although his diagnosis has been upgraded and he is supposed to be better now. In some ways he is, some ways he is still ODD.
My reason for writing this post is sort of to vent. My daughter doesn't like confrontation. She will walk all the way around a situation not to have a confrontation. She is also a Libra which means she is very indecisive, weighs everything. So, my grandson can be VERY confrontational. I am the authoratarian and I revisit parenting techniques and remind my daughter of things she needs to do as a parent. She has gotten much better but, still will not make his respect and mind her.
When something happens and he won't do something or is misbehaving I am the one who reminds her of what she needs to do. If she won't/can't then that is where I kick in. Last night he came upstairs and was begging her to come do something for him. She was resting and wouldn't do it. It wasn't something real important just something he wanted. I had had enough and I told him to think of her alittle bit. That he needed to be more thoughtful of his mom. He told me to shut up. I let into him good on that. He screeched at me that he doesn't have to listen to me. That I am just trying to manipulate him. Ugh! (Is that what it is now? Parental figures are 'manipulating' their kids to do what is right?)
I was brought up to respect adults and in this situation I am taking up the slack where there is no male role. Cami just will not stand up to him. Well, sometimes she will but at this late date (He is nearly 14) Someone needs to. It is very hard. Part of it is teenage stuff and part of it is the ODD characteristics and his personality and way of thinking.
I have gone round and round with him. Alot of the time he and I can discuss things rationally and calmly. But, I just get very tired of hearing him trying to order his mom around. It is like he doesn't have to listen to me. She is like putty in his hand. He orders her to do stuff. Neither of them will go to counseling which I think would help alot. He will keep on her until she does whatever. She needs to demand his respect. She is doing a lot better. In the last ten years she has come a lot way. But, there is still the abnormal way we have to live. And he is a big boy and intimidating. I had a dream long ago, when he was still quite young, that my daughter was backed up against the frig in the kitchen and he was towering over her saying:" You want me to do what, Mom?" So I have had this anxiety for many years now. I saw it coming.
What's a grandma to do?
6 people like this
7 responses
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
3 Aug 16
keep at the counseling, maybe that can be worked into his services, and then made necc.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Aug 16
I wish it were that easy. He has already missed two and we have gotten a letter so that means no more misses. I won't chance it. We need to keep them for the monthly medical check.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Aug 16
@Jessicalynnt ...He and his mother are both exhibiting anxiety at the thought of going to one. I'm not going to chance losing the service we have because of them missing more scheduled appointments with a counselor. I'd rather do without. It would nice but not worth it.
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@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
4 Aug 16
@celticeagle everything I know is that much harder since he is at the age you can't simply pick him up and make him go
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@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
2 Aug 16
Is there any real father figure in his life. That can sometimes make a lot more difference than you might think.
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@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
2 Aug 16
Yes, there is. He is incommunicado. Wasn't even in the boys life until he was about eight. He is iffy at best. It;s like when he wants to he will call or something but hasn't in months. I think that that may be where some of his anger issues come from. Thank goodness he is on medication.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
2 Aug 16
@koopharper ....I tried to get him someone with BBBS of A years ago. Their lists are so long we went with a PSR who was a male at the time. Then he quit and he has had girls every since. Now, because his diagnosis has changed, he isn't able to have one any longer. They came out weekly and were great. Helped us with new ideas and in talking to Josh from a more professional standpoint. But, we really have no where to turn. So, I vent on here.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
2 Aug 16
@celticeagle That's not the kind of male presence he needs in his life. Have you thought of getting involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Their work seeks to fill that gap in young people's lives.
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@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
2 Aug 16
My daughter has dealt with Social Services before and will have none of it. That is one reason I am here, so he isn't taken. I can talk to him some days and some days he is very ODD.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
2 Aug 16
oh dear, a most volatile situation :( i feel fer ya, bein' caught'n the middle. one's gotta start when they're young, get'cher bluff'n early. lack parentin' only brings troubles, more'n more 's they go through those teenage years.
i fear i'd insist they get some help, if nothin' more than a bit'f piece'f mind fer yerself.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Aug 16
He has had help and due to his diagnosis changing he can't get it anymore.
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@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 Aug 16
Pray is my first reaction to this, then keep doing what you're doing. Interfering which is the only thing you can do and Cami gave you the right to do it by her non confrontational way with Josh. So if he won't listen then you can only do what you're doing. Good luck. I've been there done that. Though my oldest was not diagnosed with ODD. I'm thankful of that.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
2 Aug 16
I am glad Josh was diagnosed early. He is like two different people. One day he is so easy to live with and so easy to talk to. The next he is just the opposite.
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@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Aug 16
@just4him ......Very much so. I am glad he is on meds.
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@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
5 Aug 16
@celticeagle Almost like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
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@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
2 Aug 16
She does the best she can. That is why I am here.
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