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Home | The brat files | Chill-out zone | From adversity to adventure | Find out more
Age: 15
Poppy, who lives near Tunbridge Wells with her taxi-driver father, Bjarne, and marketing-director mother, Jane, has always been seen as difficult by her parents. She was privately educated up until the age of eight and things started to go badly wrong when she was 12 years old. Her behaviour got progressively worse and hit rock bottom when she became increasingly spoilt and demanding and her tantrums became more frequent.
'When Poppy was born I came back to the hospital very proud, with this teddy bear in my arms and when I gave it to her she looked at me as if to say, "I want a bigger one", Bjarne says. 'That's really how Poppy is to this day. Things go missing, money is stolen and I can't believe that she loses every mobile phone that I've given her. I'm sure that she's probably sold them to buy drink and drugs. I love her to bits, absolutely adore her, but I don't like her as a person.'
Poppy's 13-year-old brother Max has no behaviour problems, but that doesn't stop Poppy getting at him. 'Poppy is selfish, she's spoilt and she doesn't give a damn about anybody except herself,' Jane says. Poppy's parents feel that she controls the house because everybody else revolves round her behaviour. 'She wants everything all the time and when she has something it's not good enough,' Jane says. 'There have been many things that Poppy has said to me that have been hurtful. But I think the worst one, because I find it so offensive, is c**t.'
Poppy liked the idea of going to the camp because she wanted to sort out her behavioural issues. She is now a changed person, her mum says. 'Poppy has returned to school, where she is now mentoring younger children,' her mum, Jane, explains. 'She is also studying for her GCSEs'. In addition, the teenager has started the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and is working at weekends to earn pocket money. She now gets on well with her brother and her parents. 'We are proud of her achievements and Poppy is now a real pleasure to have around,' Jane says.
Think you know better? Are you a teenager and think you can sort out other people's parents? Get a word in edgeways on the forum.
See also: Julia, Rosie, Georgie, Danni, Lydia and Lucy
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