Do You Hate Your Daughter’s BFF?

I can’t stand my daughter’s BFF. Yes, I said it.  I’m guilty but let’s face it people:  teenagers aren’t small children.  We’re not talking about toddlers or babies here.  We’re talking about pre-adults and let’s face it, some of them just are a**holes…specifically my teenage daughter’s 13 year old BFF Brittney.

Here’s a snippet from a conversation I had with Brittney yesterday:

“It’s so hot outside would you care for some lemonade?”  Me trying to be upbeat and nurturing.

“(Huge pause) Whatever I guess,” replied Brittney followed by an enormous rolling of the eyeballs and sigh.

That is the usual response I get from her to any and all questions and I’ve just about had it!  No please, no thank you, not even a definitive yes or no.  This girl was definitely raised by wolves and not the interesting, shirtless variety from Twilight either more like the boorish, rude, phlegmatic, apathetic, lacking any conversation skills kind. 

Also, I’ve never heard anyone abuse the word “whatever” like this kid.  Much to my daughter’s dismay, I gave Brittney a thesaurus for her birthday.  (Don’t worry, I threw in a game for her DS just to play nice with her parents.)  I even suggested to her that she replace her favorite vocabulary word “whatever” with something as equally random like “cinnamon” or even god forbid “thank you” just to change it up.  It’s not like I haven’t tried to relate to her either.  I “OMG” and “ROTFL” whenever she texts me about coming over to ‘hang’ but much like the heat, her rudeness is really getting to me.

Whenever I bring up the subject of Brittney with my daughter she becomes very defensive and accuses me of being a ‘manners Nazi’ while blathering about issues like personal space.  It wouldn’t be so bad if this kid wasn’t over our house day and night and especially, if we weren’t in the middle of yet another endless summer.  I’ve gently broached the subject of Brittney’s total rudeness with her parents and not surprisingly, they replied apathetically: “We know, she doesn’t like the words please and thank you.”  I suggested they introduce her to them.  They laughed.  I did not. 

My only strategy for dealing with this child now is avoidance because I’m not her parent.  I know it takes a village but I’m not the village people.  I’ve kept my girls as busy as I possibly can this summer to avoid the void that is Brittney.  In the process of keeping them busy, we’ve discovered a new passion for kayaking and backpacking - fun, family activities that have brought us closer together.  Imagine that?  My daughter’s impolite, discourteous BFF has brought us closer together?? 

One thing to look forward to is the beginning of school because with it so does my daughter’s afterschool Junior Varsity track practice.  That will keep Brittney at bay for the week days at least…but the weekends….watch out!

I’m also encouraging my daughter to pursue other friendships.  I’ve gone so far as to arrange movie dates with girls from track this summer that don’t include Brittney….but that is getting a little expensive and difficult to arrange because they’re all away so much. 

I’ve obviously tried talking to the parents and Brittney…both to no avail.  We all know the minute we discourage our children from being friends with someone we don’t care for that only acts as a friendship aphrodisiac.  What would you do if you were in my situation? 

P.S.  This morning Brittney told me I should put on the air conditioner.  I replied, “Whatever.  I guess.”  Followed by a rolling of the eyes coupled with a large sigh.