I was cooking dinner for the family, but my daughters friends ate the lot!
My daughter, Poppy, is the life and soul of every gathering. Her warmth and cheer draw friends like moths to a flame. In our home in Manchester, theres always a gaggle of mates around herkids of all ages, not just from her class. Im glad shes so sociable, but lately, its spiralling out of control, and Im at my wits end.
It all started when Poppy took to inviting friends over after school. The winter was bitter, so I didnt mind them playing indoors. At first, shed offer tea and biscuits, put on music, make up gamesI was even charmed by her hospitality. But now, shes bringing home strangers Ive never met, and their manners leave me speechless.
The other day, I came back from work to find two teenagers in the kitchen, polishing off the beef stew Id made to last two daysstraight from the pot, not a spoonful left! They piled the dirty plates in the sink and vanished without so much as a “ta.” I was livid. There was nothing left for dinner, and I was too knackered to start cooking again.
I tried explaining to Poppy that she cant just invite randoms and hand out our food. Biscuits, sweetsfine. But whats in the fridge is for the family. Poppy flushed crimson, called me tight-fisted, then 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 whipped up potatoes and chops, called everyone to the table. Poppy refused to eat, acting like I was the villain. The next morning, before work, I warned, “Theres enough for two days. Ill be back latedont expect me to cook.” Yet when I got home past eleven, there was my husband, Nigel, frying up spuds in a bare kitchen. Poppys friends had cleared us outagain. Shed locked herself away, offering no explanation.
Im at a loss. How do I get through to her? She wont listen, just hurls wild accusations: “Youre selfish! You hate my friends!” Is this just teenage rebellion? Have Nigel and I gone wrong somewhere? I dont know how to handle this. It breaks my heartI want her happy, but I cant let chaos take over.
Im not stingy, but moneys tight as it is. Nigel and I work ourselves ragged just to feed our family. I slave over hearty meals, only for strangers to wolf them down. My mum says, “You need to lay down the law!” But I wont have shouting matches. I want to sort this calmlybut how? Poppys avoiding me, and it feels like Im losing my own daughter.
What would you do? How do I make her see shes hurting us without crushing her? How do I set boundaries before our house turns into a free-for-all café? Been through this? Share your wisdomIm running on empty here.
