Mother struggles to handle her daughter’s insults

Dear Amy: I am the mother of a 21-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy.

My problem is with my daughter. She treats me very disrespectfully.

She'll tell me to "shut up" and calls me "stupid" or "dumb" if something doesn't suit her or if she's feeling stressed about school or work (she is a straight A student working a summer internship with a major accounting firm).

When I try to address the behavior, she'll shut me down by mocking me. I am at a loss on what to do to stop this disrespectful behavior.

Here is an example: yesterday morning she came into my bedroom (on the main floor), angry at me for turning off the air conditioner.

Her room is on the second floor and she said she was too hot to sleep all night. I explained that it was 60 degrees outside and we didn't need the air conditioner.

She said, "You're so dumb; hot air rises ... what are you -- stupid?"

This is just one example of many.

My son doesn't treat me this way and is very respectful and kind.

How can two kids from the same family be so different?

My husband says I should completely ignore her and not do a thing for her -- basically alienate her. This approach doesn't feel right. What do you think?

Dear Mom: Your daughter seems to single you out for this disrespect, but you and your husband should present a united front in dealing with it.

You two should be at the center of your family, and should be in basic agreement about what you will -- and won't -- tolerate from your little miss bossy pants, otherwise she doesn't have much incentive to change.

You three should meet privately to discuss her behavior. Ask her if she talks to her professors, mentors or co-workers this way. Then ask her why she talks to you this way. Listen to her answer; if she doesn't answer or shrugs this off, then let some uncomfortable silence hang in the room.

If this continues, then I agree with your husband -- ignore her and do nothing for her until she figures out how to get back into her parents' good graces. If her behavior deteriorates, the next step might be to tell her that she needs to find somewhere else to stay. Be calm, firm, in-charge, and -- when the time comes -- forgiving.