To ban cooking for teenage boys

Ok but it just means that she's not giving them the money to get back Same effect. She's the one earned the money

You're wildly unreasonable.

It sounds like you're not cooking enough to fill them up if they're cooking an hour after dinner and they're wanting more protein. A banana isn't going to fill up a hungry teen. Come on now. These are growing teens.

You complain about the cleanup, they come up with a solution and you complain it's wasteful.

Lady, you've got severe control issues. Your kids are hungry. Feed them so they're not hungry or shut up about them feeding themselves.

Yes my money is in this.
It reminds me of threads where people visit older relatives and are served tiny portions and are sneaking food as they and their children are hungry. When people say why don’t you just tell them there’s a lot of emotional baggage and comments about how they couldn’t possibly need dinner after such a big lunch etc.
It sounds like you eat quite a restrictive diet and are wanting them to eat same way but they make their own choices. You have a budget but they aren’t demanding kgs of chicken breast and trays of eggs, their choice of pasta and oats are cheap and filling.

I read these threads and wonder whether people actually like their children, or only have them because they feel that’s what they were supposed to do…

I guess because she can put that money towards the bill instead of having to pay both the bill and the pocket money

You reckon? 🤣🤣

Honest to God.

Assuming this thread is actually real, the OP just needs to get a smart meter and stop all this nonsense with guessing how much it's costing.

I'm pretty surprised at the comments suggesting not having ingredients in so they can't cook! They clearly need more food so maybe feed them more? Cooking themselves some pasta doesn't seem extravagant. I also have 3 boys and am a single parent on a low income and it wouldn't occur to me to restrict basics like pasta. How bloody joyless.

Thechaseison71

I think she decreased their pocket money?

Well how does pocket money count. I assume she dishes it out in the first place so only her own money back. Besides pocket money is a luxury

" having a set bedtime for a 15 YEAR OLD is controlling and weird."

I'm sorry, what? No it isn't, They're still at school, still need sleep, and are still children who need boundaries because if you don't set bedtime when will they sleep? When they feel like it? How does that work with exams and study?

Not setting one is neglectful.

Thechaseison71

£37 a month extra more than doubles my electric bill

I think that poster is saying it’s covered by the kids already, op has gotten it from the increased rent and pocket money

OP .ight be in similar situation. And if 3 boys all use the oven seperately then that £37 is multiplied by 3. Which makes £1332va year extra. That's not an insignificant amount.

The oats yeah is a bit OTT

It sounds like maybe you should try switching energy tariffs as there might be something cheaper. But failing that I would sit them down, show them the bill and tell them how much they each need to contribute either out of their pocket money or from work. If money is the problem surely that would solve it. If the older one ends up having to pay for the younger ones he might become the kitchen boss and they will sort it out between themselves

They are not lovely. They are controlling and abusive.

The kids having to ask for any bit of extra food all the time and having a set bedtime for a 15 YEAR OLD is controlling and weird.

But you're not the OP?

She's already asked her 19 year old to pay extra money.

Quick look on Asda and 1kg of oats is 85p, cheaper than one of those instant processed porridge pots.
500g pasta 41p cheaper than bread.
If it is truly about cost then you’d surely be delighted they were happy with cheap bulk buy foods.

Have you ever had an eating disorder, OP? I ask because I have a family member who had and while they eat well if lightly now, they get really stressed about family members buying or cooking lots of food around them. They would also not necessarily see how much food other people need.

I would step back and let your sons manage their own food. Especially, I'd suggest they start taking a turn at cooking the family hot meal too.

are thigns very tight fiancailly for you Op?

If so, do your boys understand this?
things were very hard for my mum when we were kids and we were in poverty but we understood this and didnt demand thigns my mum couldnt afford.

But it is more than offset by them having to buy all the food themselves and having a reduction in pocket money

My god, you are a moaner arent you.

Your poor boys. You should be bloody grateful they cook for themselves, that they are interested in food and cooking and are taking steps to provide for themselves.

I dont see how they can be cooking for an hour, if they are just making pasta and brownies!

I get its stressful having almost grown kids at home chomping and chowing down during half term, but just let them crack on, especially if they are clean and tidy.

£37 a month extra more than doubles my electric bill

And don't forget that the heat will be warming the house, saving some central heating costs.

Cooking costs are low unless someone has an oven on all day, and even then it's not actually doing anything most of the time.

OP clearly has a few issues and needs to work out what is bothering her more, the bills, the mess, or their diet, and tackle one thing at a time!

As is often said, teenage boys don't eat food they inhale food

This! I think it’s fantastic that you have boys that know how to cook real food and will do it. You should be proud of the. I would love my DS to be making himself a proper meal rather than living on cheese sandwiches and cereal, which aren’t a nutritionally great option.

If your electricity bill seems super high, are you sure that’s not eg super long showers if you have electric hot water? Or leaving all the lights on?