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Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Teenagers

14 yr old boy. He should be able to answer the telephone, right????

21 replies

frazzledbutcalm · 05/02/2008 18:19

Just had a row with ds1 aged 14. The phone started ringing and it was on the computer desk where he was actually on the computer. I was talking to dh and helping dd2 put her shoes on. ds1 shouts 'fone' very loudly whilst holding said item in his hand!! He hadn't answered it but was passing it to us to answer!! He can't understand why im annoyed that he didnt answer it - he had it in his hand!!

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juuule · 05/02/2008 18:26

At least he picked it up. Mine most likely wouldn't have unless told to do so.

frazzledbutcalm · 05/02/2008 18:32

Really? it was right next to him. His argument was that he knew it wouldnt be for him so why answer it?

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hecate · 05/02/2008 18:35

To help you out. But this would never occur to a teenager.

If you are busty just let it go to answerphone!

hecate · 05/02/2008 18:36

busty??

Busy.

Sorry. Fat fingers.

MarsLady · 05/02/2008 18:37

Mine answer the phone unless I tell them not to.

frazzledbutcalm · 05/02/2008 18:38

Not busty busy really, i just can't believe he sat there with it in his hand shouting for someone else to answer it!

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MarsLady · 05/02/2008 18:38

(being busty I must just let it go to ansaphone!)

frazzledbutcalm · 05/02/2008 18:40

He usually answers the phone, he's usually no bother at all. It's his attitude afterwards that's annoyed me really. Why should he answer the phone if he knows its not for him? The door he tells me is a different matter, he'd answere that because, obviously, he can't bring the door to me!!

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juuule · 05/02/2008 20:28

See in his mind he's helped you out and can't understand why you are being so unreasonable
The logic defies belief but you can see what he means. Teenage minds

fizzbuzz · 05/02/2008 20:46

I have one of these at home as well

Sciolist · 06/02/2008 12:51

DS (13) will never answer the phone and is very unwilling to talk to shopkeepers, waiters etc. Even when its a friend on the phone, the conversation will often go like this: Hello. Yes. OK. (puts down phone)

DD (9) is much more confidant.

ajandjjmum · 06/02/2008 12:58

When we were kids, my bro and I used to chase to answer the phone. Neither of my two ever make any effort to move at all - really bugs me! Of course, they know it's not for them, but that's really not the point.

I blame mobiles for this - together with everything else!

PrettyCandles · 06/02/2008 13:02

It's a male thing. My dad and my dh both do this.

Particularly frustrating when I'm up to my elbows in soapsuds and dishes, and dh brings the ringing phone to me! Grrrrrr!

juuule · 06/02/2008 13:04

Not just a male thing. My 16yo dd does it, too.

Freckle · 06/02/2008 13:27

Ds3 (9) will run to answer the phone, the others very rarely. In fact, it can be really frustrating when I'm out and call home for some reason and they don't answer the phone. I know they are in, but they just can't be bothered. Same with the front door. I can be two flights up and will have to run down to open it when the older two are in the room next door.

frazzledbutcalm · 07/02/2008 20:26

Lol everyone. ds not usually like this so it came as a shock. He usually answers phone, think he must have been having a bad day because he laughs about it now

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needmorecoffee · 07/02/2008 20:28

my lad does that. When I'm out he'll answer it but I get 'someone called and wants you to call them back.'
'who?'
' A lady, i didn't get the name or number....'

sigh

frazzledbutcalm · 07/02/2008 20:33

They must all be the same. I tell ds to get name and number if anyone calls - he never does. But at least he answers the phone then i suppose

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seasidemama · 07/02/2008 20:40

I used to spend a lot of time with a family helping out when things were a bit tricky. The Mum and eldest of four would answer the phone, but not the others. If they weren't in thoughS often I'd have 3 ringing phones brought to me, with accompanied shrieks of "phone, phone, phone's ringing, phone". Drove me a little potty until I joined in the not answering and just said "I know". Anyone who really needed us would ring back - and this time all 3 phones would already have been neatly delivered...

SpottyHamster · 08/02/2008 11:09

My DS (14) is like yours Sciolist. He hates to go to the shop or anything. If aked to answer the phonr he approaches v slowly, circles it scrutinising the caller display. He may then answer it eg if it is his gran or wait until it stops ringing. Then says 'I didn't get there in time' Sigh.

frazzledbutcalm · 08/02/2008 14:05

I'm actually quite shocked that this is normal behaviour!

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