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AIBU?

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Original poster

Teen saying they've been sick AIBU

30 replies

Flowerdaisyrain · 13/10/2024 16:56

13 year old son complaining all weekend that they don't want to go to school and want a just stay at home and game. There are no major concerns about school other than trying to get him to do homework, usual teen stuff.
Just came down now and said he'd been sick but flushed it away. He's changed his story 3 times now, first there was loads, then oh it was only a little then back again. Hes shown zero signs of being unwell and seemed generally quite shocked when I said it means he needs to go bed and he won't be gaming all of tomorrow. He's now backtracked a bit saying it was just bile and maybe he was over hungry (also not the case as he hadn't long eaten). No one heard him and it doesn't smell of sick.
I personally think he was trying for a day off and thought he could stay at home and spend it on the computer. This isn't the first time he's tried to pull this stunt, but its been a while. Obviously I can't send him to school still.

IABU -hes probably telling the truth, cut him some slack
IANBU - He sounds suspicious and trying for a day off

OP posts:
WhimsicalGubbins76 · 13/10/2024 18:36

It’s really difficult to limit screen times in this digital age. It’s the way the world works now. It’s how they keep in touch with friends, it’s where all their recreational activities are…..
My son is 18 now, but I had this problem a couple of times while he was at high school, I gave him the benefit of the doubt but was stuck about what he could and couldn’t do while off sick. No phone, no consoles and no tablet. That way I could always tell when he was being genuine-when he was genuinely poorly he wouldn’t ask for his Xbox controller back 🤣

Original poster
Flowerdaisyrain · 13/10/2024 18:35

SummaLuvin · 13/10/2024 18:34

he'd been sick but flushed it away

I don't think this is any sort of evidence, at 13 I wouldn't be leaving my sick in the toilet so my mum could have a look at it

See the second update. He did lie

OP posts:
SummaLuvin · 13/10/2024 18:34

he'd been sick but flushed it away

I don't think this is any sort of evidence, at 13 I wouldn't be leaving my sick in the toilet so my mum could have a look at it

Original poster
Flowerdaisyrain · 13/10/2024 18:29

Following on from the first bit.
DS had admitted to lying because he wanted more screen time. He thought that he'd have the whole day tomorrow to just play as he wanted. No issues at school.
There has been issues with screens in the past and they are limited but still about 5 hours on each Sat and Sun (plus times after school). Seems like a lot over the whole week I guess looking at it.
The issue is now, should I be reducing screens more if he's lying about being sick just to get more time. Doesn't that indicate an issue with the amount of time he has?

OP posts:
Lougle · 13/10/2024 17:02

I would say that you need to find out why he doesn't want to go to school, and don't assume that because he's said he wants to stay home and game means that he isn't struggling at school.