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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

14 year old boys are a pain in the ass.

110 replies

summerholidaynow · 04/07/2025 16:31

OMG, the attitude. The flat, 'I-don't-give-a-shit' voice. About everything. Can't be assed. Doesn't care. I'm dreading the summer holidays, just seeing him glued to his phone.

To be fair he does a lot of sport, and goes out with friends. But when he's here, it's like he's doing us a massive favour and nothing we do is right.

There are flashes of the old him, and I know he loves us.

This is common, right? They turn back to human at some point?

OP posts:
NoraLuka · 04/07/2025 16:42

DD1 was like this, she’s 19 now and lovely. I was quite upset yesterday due to a long running problem and DD1 said «Don’t worry about making the tea, I’ll sort it» and then did. A relatively small thing but unimaginable when she was wailing about her human rights to play video games just a few years ago! So there is hope 😁

Breathmiller · 04/07/2025 16:42

My 14 year old is loving this thread 😅

stayathomer · 04/07/2025 16:41

Ask him can you watch YouTube or a movie he likes with him or have a board games night (food as bribery) or go on a drive (with bribes!). I see more of our 15 yo this way and we get on great on these sorts of terms!!

Boomer55 · 04/07/2025 16:39

summerholidaynow · 04/07/2025 16:31

OMG, the attitude. The flat, 'I-don't-give-a-shit' voice. About everything. Can't be assed. Doesn't care. I'm dreading the summer holidays, just seeing him glued to his phone.

To be fair he does a lot of sport, and goes out with friends. But when he's here, it's like he's doing us a massive favour and nothing we do is right.

There are flashes of the old him, and I know he loves us.

This is common, right? They turn back to human at some point?

14 year olds, regardless of gender, are a total pain the arse. 🤷‍♀️. But, it passes.

ObliviousCoalmine · 04/07/2025 16:38

You’ve got to ride it out. Find the right battles to fight and let go of the things that aren’t worth it. They’re supposed to do this weird detachment chrysalis thing, they do come out the other side.

Coffeeandt · 04/07/2025 16:38

summerholidaynow · 04/07/2025 16:34

I'm sorry to be the voice of doom, but he was a pain at 12/13 but this is supercharged

I know. I'm prepared for it. Trying to learn as much as I can about teens now as I'm going to have 4 of them (very close in age). I'm trying to find good podcasts and parenting books about teens. It's like going right back to the beginning. Utterly clueless!

Fangisnotacoward · 04/07/2025 16:36

I watch Kevin the Teenager sketches on YouTube. Makes me realise they were always the same!

summerholidaynow · 04/07/2025 16:34

Coffeeandt · 04/07/2025 16:34

I don't know, my boys are still young but my eldest girl is exactly the same and she's only 12 (13 soon). It's not everyday, thankfully, but I know it is likely to get worse before it gets better.

I'm sorry to be the voice of doom, but he was a pain at 12/13 but this is supercharged

OP posts:
Coffeeandt · 04/07/2025 16:34

I don't know, my boys are still young but my eldest girl is exactly the same and she's only 12 (13 soon). It's not everyday, thankfully, but I know it is likely to get worse before it gets better.

twilightermummy · 04/07/2025 16:33

I can't help as I'm in the same situation. At least yours partakes in sports!
Mine only perks up at the sound of the word "takeaway". I wonder how long this lasts for.

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