I’m not going to lie, I’m struggling to connect with my daughter. She’s fifteen, a middle child, and finishing up her freshman year of high school. We’ve hit the “I hate you” phase of teenagerdom. She sits in her room texting and Snap Chatt-ing all her friends. The door is closed and shades are drawn. She cut her own hair and dyed it dark purple, which really looks black with her dark brown natural hair.
When I talk to her, she kneels on her bed facing the corner. When I ask questions, I get silence. When I go in and just sit down, it’s more of the same. She refuses to eat dinner with the rest of the family. When she does come out, she’s sullen and as if we are making her walk across the globe.
Hugs are still received when offered. That’s really the extent of any connection.
My little girl is a distant memory.
Yes, we do know what triggered it all. She is seeing a therapist and we as a family will be joining her soon. My wife wants me to leave her alone and not interact with her at all. That’s a no. A child needs their father. They need our love, support, advice, and just knowing that we are there. I send her text messages and will still go into her room and share in the silence. She’ll come around one day.
To all you parents dealing with the same, I’m in the boat with you and while we aren’t realizing it yet, it is a blessing. To those who have a teen and it’s going great, you are blessed.
We’ll see you all soon.
Leave a Reply