I STRUGGLE TO GET ON WITH MY DAUGHTER

I have two daughters who are aged 10 and eight. The youngest is very sweet and we get along well most of the time. The eldest one though drives me mad.

I feel bad for saying this but I’ve always found her incredibly difficult.

She’s argumentative and picks apart things I say or tell her to do, instead of just getting on with them like her sister.

If we go out to dinner, you can guarantee she’ll spill her drink all over the table or will play up and do something to annoy everybody.

She struggles with friendships too and will often fall out with her peers.

I love her so much and I want to have a great relationship with her.

How can I make things better between us and stop falling out with her all the time? I’m worried what it’s going to be like when she’s older.

Coleen says

My middle child won’t mind me telling you this because I say it to his face, but he was always the difficult one.

Everybody has that one child who they struggle to get along with, but the good news is, it usually sorts itself out.

My eldest always seemed so easygoing. Then my second one came along and he used to question everything. He was the kind of kid who, if his teacher told him to do up his top button, he’d say: “But why? You haven’t got your top button done up.” I’d have to explain to him: “Yes, but you’re 10 and your teacher is an adult and in charge in the classroom.”

He found this unfair and when I look back, he did have a point.

But it’s exhausting dealing with a child like this. Now he’s older we get along great, so don’t give up on your daughter. She probably just needs more love, patience and parenting than your youngest.