Over-reacting????

Question

Today i went to barnes and nobles and got the 2 books i have to read for school and i asked my mom if i could get a book i wanted to read for fun and she said sure so i got a book about a girl who had a really tough life and she would cut hersrlf but she went to rehab and it tells you how much happier she was and stuff. well after we got home my mom freaked out and was like,"I cant believe you made me buy a book on cutting!!!!" then i told her its not about cutting the whole time and it teaches a life lesson but she just went to her room all pissed off. now that i am thinking of it a couple of months ago she bought me a book about a true story of a teenage girl who met a guy @ a concert and "messed around" with him and got AIDS and died. i dont think the book i got today was any worse than that. She also let me read the Herion Diaries by nikki sixx and that book was pretty graphic. I think she is over reacting about the book i got. do you?

Answer 1

She's overreacting.  I think there's nothing wrong with what you're doing.

I wonder if she used to cut and that's why she's freaked by this particular topic?

Answer 2

I think your mom may be freaking out a little bit too much. She is probly just a little shocked because she did't expect it to be about anything like that. You should just wait until she calms down and explain calmly why you don't see anything wrongg with it. Mabey, you could apologize for not telling her first what it was about. Good luck!

Answer 3

I think she's overreacting about the cutting book, since she let you read the others (especially Nikki Sixx).

Answer 4

Yes I think she is overreacting. It's just a book and it's good for kids to read about and learn about these things so they understand how dangerous it can be. Your mom is probably afraid you will try cutting if you read about it but that's just not the way it works. Just like talking to kids about s*x and about drugs doesn't make them want to go do it. Education and knowledge is power.

I would try to calmly explain to your mom that you would never think about doing that and it's just a book and that you are interested in true stories that people have gone through.

Answer 5

Actually, I'd be pretty freaked if my daughter asked for a book "for fun" and then I found out it was about cutting.

I don't think there's anything wrong with reading such a book. You're thirteen, not eight. Conversely, do you really consider such topics "fun"? How about trying something different for a change, instead of depressing real life tales?

Answer 6

She's overreacting, just try reasoning with her. She is in no position to be upset if the book has a positive message.

Answer 7

Yes, she is definitely overreacting.

Answer 8

Your mom isn't mad, honey, she's scared. The teenage years are pretty confusing for you; I understand that, having been a teenager myself. You might be shocked to learn that they can be overwhelming for parents. Mom's job is to protect you, and when you were little it was fairly simple. Now that you're well on your way to becoming a woman, the stakes are a lot higher. You will be allowed more freedom, and with freedom comes risk. There are so many bad things that can happen to you, and it freaks your mom out just to think of them. The book about cutting causes concern because your mom knows kids who cut feel alone; alien and alienated. Keep the lines of communication open. This will reassure her that cutting isn't something she has to worry about.

Answer 9

I think your Mum was upset because she felt the checkout person probably thought that you bought it cos you cut yourself and she was worried that she might be judged as a mother.  I wouldn't worry too much about it.  It might be worth asking her what really is upsetting her about the book. There may be something from her own childhood in the book that has hit a nerve so she may not be willing to talk to you about it.  Let her know that you didn't intend to upset her, give her a hug and reassure her that you love her.  Good luck.  Mums need reassurance sometimes too.

Answer 10

With the other things she has let you read I would say she is overreacting. I would try to sit down with her and explain that your trying to learn things and get a lesson from this just as you did from the other book she bought you and explain what you are learning. Encourage her to also read the book so she will know it has a good lesson.

Answer 11

This may be a particularly sensitive topic for your mom. Maybe it hits a little close to home with something she has experienced. If it bothers her so much, maybe you would consider returning it in exchange for a different book.