Sneaky 15 year old

[Anonymous]

Phone addiction is a real serious issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My teen is incredibly sneaky. At night, when it’s time for bed, I’ll take her phone and computer (per her doctor’s advice), but she will find a way to creep into my bedroom at 1 in the morning and steal them. She also sneaks cash from my wallet and will eat everything she can find, even if it’s for someone else or if I’m saving it.

I’ve discussed this with her and she has apologized but hasn’t changed her ways at all. It’s getting exhausting trying to keep her in check.

Tips?

Put a lock on your bedroom door and use it.

[Anonymous]

Military boarding school for troubled youth

[Anonymous]

Have not read all the posts but the food thing strikes me as a need to find control in her life. My guess is she feels you are too controlling and this is how she copes. I am not saying you are FYI but her perspective. I would do therapy together. Locking up stuff seems humiliating and I am not a fan of humiliation.

[Anonymous]

She sounds like she has ADHD.

This may be counter intuitive but I gave up fighting about the phone and then the problem basically solved itself. He stopped using it as much, is generally tried from his activities so will go to bed at a decent time.

We do still hide some preferred treats though, mainly because his siblings get upset when they get one cookie and he eats the rest of the container. He comes down late night and eats again before bed and if he doesn’t see sweets will make himself something like a sandwich or burrito.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She sounds like she has ADHD.

This may be counter intuitive but I gave up fighting about the phone and then the problem basically solved itself. He stopped using it as much, is generally tried from his activities so will go to bed at a decent time.

We do still hide some preferred treats though, mainly because his siblings get upset when they get one cookie and he eats the rest of the container. He comes down late night and eats again before bed and if he doesn’t see sweets will make himself something like a sandwich or burrito.

Is he medicated? I thought adhd meds were supposed to suppress appetite?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She sounds like she has ADHD.

This may be counter intuitive but I gave up fighting about the phone and then the problem basically solved itself. He stopped using it as much, is generally tried from his activities so will go to bed at a decent time.

We do still hide some preferred treats though, mainly because his siblings get upset when they get one cookie and he eats the rest of the container. He comes down late night and eats again before bed and if he doesn’t see sweets will make himself something like a sandwich or burrito.

Is he medicated? I thought adhd meds were supposed to suppress appetite?

DP. They don’t suppress the urge to eat dopamine causing fun foods like cookies. My adhd DC would eat a bag of cookies and say they weren’t hungry for real food.

[Anonymous]

This child needs a psychiatric evaluation. I agree with you needing to lock up electronics, cut the WiFi, leave them with a friend, etc., but it sounds like it’s almost out of her control. This is not a good way to live for either of you. She may need a flip phone for emergencies and that’s all.