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Originally Posted by Holden McNeil  I genuinely love my sister, and I would help her if I knew how. |
Tough gig dude, but it sounds like you've got the right attitude. You'd know better than me, but it seems as George said, typical angst-ridden teenage girl.
Having never had to deal with someone like that on a day-to-day personal level, I have no idea what you could do to help her that would work, but I believe that maintaining your own positive attitude will help
you.
I'm sure others here, especially those with teenagers of their own, can offer more advice, but there's probably forums out there dedicated to dealing with teenagers. Have you tried them?
If I were in your shoes I'd probably sit her down, tell her that no-one is going to do anything for her just because she demands it, and that unless she accepts responsibility for her own life, it will become the hell she believes it to be. And that I will be there to help her, but she'll only get that help if she proves that she is accepting responsibility, and that she's going to do something to
improve the situation.
It's also possible that she does just want someone to listen to her. Really listen, and
not offer suggestions or advice. Just let her talk. Don't tell her she's wrong. Don't tell her she's right. Her friends are probably as self-centred as she is, so they wouldn't be any good for her, at least as far as accepting responsibility goes. How do your parents talk to her? Do they show their exasperation when she gets demanding? Despite their love do they show that her attitude is getting to them too? No doubt she perceives that as them not loving her.
Could you and your parents figure out something that she really wants, and figure out a way for them to give it to her in a way that makes it clear that they have been listening, and do truly care, but without making a big deal out of it? I.e., show her that she's wrong about them not caring about her, but in a way that doesn't give her reason to believe being demanding will get her what she wants...
Good luck Holden!