Danielle Boedeker expressed that she had completely lost her 13-year-old daughter, Edi, who lives with her ex-husband, Ben.
Edi showed up at her 9-year-old sister’s soccer game with her father, but turned her back on Danielle.
Young children ignoring their parents is a universal, often frustrating, part of early family life.
However, before assuming it’s defiance, it’s helpful to understand the “why” behind the tuned-out behavior. It’s not intentional disobedience.
Young kids live in the moment. Their brains are wired for exploration and play, so when they’re deeply focused on a game, they may not even hear your request.
Sometimes, they are simply testing boundaries. This phase is usually less about ignoring parents and more about their growing brain learning to prioritize and respond.
Also, see: Tyronn Lue Overcame a Rough Childhood Raised by Single Mother Kim Miller and Absent Father Ron Lue to Become an NBA Champion Player and Coach Driven by Resilience and Deep Family Loyalty
A Mother’s Heartbreak at a Soccer Game
Danielle Boedeker is sharing a moment of profound grief in hopes of being understood.
She says she feels she has “completely lost” her 13-year-old daughter, Edi.
The painful moment happened at her 9-year-old’s soccer game.
Although it was Danielle’s weekend with her daughters, Edi arrived with her father, Ben, Danielle’s ex-husband. They divorced on April 1, 2025.
Happy 41st birthday, father of my children, and Happy Thanksgiving! May you and our girls have a wonderful day celebrating together with our families! Please send everyone my love!
Danielle Boedeker
When Danielle approached, asking about a recent trip and a school performance, Edi did not answer. She then turned her back to speak only to her dad.
Edi was mad at her due to their divorce.
I told her I did, as I hardly ever saw her, and she saw her Dad all the time. She did not respect me, and I did nothing to deserve it.
Danielle Boedeker
Overwhelmed, Danielle retreated to the parking lot to cry.
She clarified that she has never spoken badly about her children’s father to them. She explained that the children live with him primarily due to financial and medical hardships she has endured.
Danielle is now permanently disabled after a back surgery two years ago, works limited hours, and has no car.
Her story resonated with thousands online. The overwhelming response from other parents was encouraging and suggested she keep showing up for her children more.
They urged her to continue attending games, sending texts, and expressing love, even if met with silence. Everyone agreed that her kid still needed to know her mother was there, despite the teenage hurt.
13 is hard. She’s pushing boundaries. Don’t take it personally. Remember, she’s still trying to figure things out at this age. Let it roll off you.
Samantha Steele
