I was cooking dinner for the family, and my daughter’s friends ate everything!
My daughter, Emily, is the life of the party. Her warmth and openness draw friends to her like moths to a flame. Here in Manchester, our home is always filled with her mates—kids of all ages, not just her classmates. I’m glad she’s so sociable, but lately, things have spiralled out of control, and I’m at my wit’s end.
It started when Emily began inviting friends over. It’s winter, freezing outside, so I didn’t mind them playing indoors. At first, she’d offer tea and biscuits, put on music, or make up games. I even found it sweet—she was so hospitable. But now she brings home strangers I’ve never met, and their behaviour shocks me.
Just the other day, I came back from work to find two unfamiliar teenagers in the kitchen. They were eating the stew I’d made for the next two days—straight from the pot. Not a scrap left! They dumped their dirty plates in the sink and walked out without a word. I was livid. There was nothing left for dinner, and I was too exhausted to cook again.
I tried explaining to Emily that she can’t bring strangers home and feed them our food. Biscuits? Fine. Sweets? No problem. But the food in the fridge is for the family. Emily flared up, called me stingy, then stormed off and slammed her bedroom door so hard the windows rattled. She locked herself in and refused to speak to me. I felt guilty, but what else could I do?
I boiled potatoes, fried some sausages, and called everyone for dinner. Emily refused to eat, acting like I was the enemy. The next morning, before leaving for work, I warned her: “There’s enough food for two days—I’ll be late, so don’t expect more.” But when I got back after eleven, my husband, James, was frying eggs in an empty kitchen. Emily’s friends had raided the fridge again. She shut herself away, refusing to explain.
I’m desperate. How do I get through to her? She won’t listen, just throws absurd accusations: “You’re selfish! You hate my friends!” Is this just teenage rebellion? Have we failed as parents? I don’t know how to handle this. My heart’s torn—I want her happy, but I can’t tolerate this chaos.
I’m not tight-fisted, but our budget’s stretched thin. James and I work ourselves ragged just to keep food on the table. I cook nice meals for my family, only to end up feeding strangers. My mum keeps saying, “It’s time for a firm hand!” But I won’t resort to punishment. I want to fix this peacefully—but how? Emily won’t talk, and I feel like I’m losing my own daughter.
What would you do? How do I make her see she’s hurting us without pushing her away? How do I set boundaries so our home isn’t treated like a free café? Have you dealt with this? Share your advice—I’m at my breaking point.
