**Diary Entry 14th March**
Id spent the evening cooking a proper roast for the familybeef, Yorkshire puddings, the lot. But by the time I got home from work, my daughter Amelias mates had polished off the lot.
Amelias always been the life and soul, bless her. Her kindness and laughter draw friends like bees to honey. Here in Manchester, our house is never quietkids of all ages, not just from her year, always milling about. Im glad shes so sociable, really I am, but lately its got out of hand, and Im at my wits end.
It started innocently enough. Winter was bitter, and I didnt mind her having friends round to stay warm. At first, it was just tea and biscuits, music, silly gamesI even admired her hospitality. But now? Strangers Ive never met wander in like its a pub. Their manners? Non-existent.
Last Thursday, I came home to two lads in the kitchen wolfing down the beef stew Id made for two nights worth of dinnersstraight from the pot, not a scrap left. Theyd stacked dirty plates in the sink and vanished without so much as a ta. I was livid. No dinner left, and I was too knackered to start again.
I tried explaining to Ameliastrangers cant just help themselves. Biscuits? Fine. Sweets? Whatever. But whats in the fridge is for family. She went red, called me tight-fisted, then slammed her bedroom door so hard the windows rattled. She wouldnt speak to me after. Felt rotten, but what else could I do?
Next night, I made bangers and mash, called everyone to the table. Amelia refused to eat, acting like Id betrayed her. Before work the next day, I warned her, Theres enough for two days. Im back latedont expect me to cook. Yet when I got home past eleven, there was my husband, James, frying up potatoes in a bare kitchen. Amelias mates had cleared us out again. Shed locked herself away, no explanations.
Im lost. How do I get through to her? She wont listen, just hurls nonsenseYoure selfish! You hate my friends! Is it the teenage years? Did James and I go wrong somewhere? My hearts tornI want her happy, but this chaos cant go on.
Im not stingy, but moneys tight as it is. James and I work ourselves to the bone just to put food on the table. I slave over hot stoves only for strangers to scoff it. Mum says, You need to lay down the law! But I wont shout or punish. I want to fix this calmlybut how? Amelia avoids me, and it feels like Im losing my own child.
What would you do? How do I make her see shes hurting us without crushing her spirit? How do I stop our home becoming a free-for-all? If youve been through thistell me. Im running out of steam.
**Lesson learned:** Kindness shouldnt cost your sanity. Setting boundaries isnt crueltyits love.
