Anonymous wrote:Is it possible they would have mental health issues even if you were a great parent?

Probably not. OP most likely contributed to the problems and only recognizes that now.

I think if you talked to other parents about their teens' behavior you might be surprise to learn there is a lot of disfunction in every family at that age. It's normal. I think the teen years are really hard -- a lot harder on the parents than the kids.

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but I’m curious — why are so many people suggesting therapy? Does being an incompetent parent automatically mean there’s a mental health issue?

Probably because therapy can help with catastrophic thinking?

Anonymous wrote:I remember thinking this when my DD was 13-17. She is now 19, in college, thriving, and routinely compliments my parenting. Adolescence is a beast. Just get through it.

Thank you for this....not OP but needed to hear this. The teenage years are hard!

Not OP, but I’m curious — why are so many people suggesting therapy? Does being an incompetent parent automatically mean there’s a mental health issue?