DS isn't nt ready for work- should I remind him?

[RobertClementHughes]

Hes nearly 17, he's sat on his arse all day and whilst I have asked him a couple of times about work related stuff (have you got a lift home or would you like me to pick you up after, is his uniform clean etc) I have a feeling that if I don't remind him of the time he will just forget because of the bloody xbox.

It would be petty of me to not just shout up the stairs wouldn't it? But part of me wants to give him a shake! I.e. not remind him so that maybe next time he would take the responsibility himself.

I’d remind him. I used to get so engrossed in a book that I’d be oblivious to everything around me, used to drive my mum mad. I’d have appreciated a final reminder in this situation - tell him he needs to leave in half an hour and that you won’t be reminding him again. Then don’t.

You have reminded him by asking those questions, I'd leave him to it now.
If there's a consequence for his lateness then it's a good lesson.

You sort of have reminded him already by mentioning work.

I’m torn on this, is kinda mean to see someone is going to be late and not mention it. On the other hand he’s shouldn’t be relying on you to monitor the time at his age.

I’d probably mention it once, something along the lines of “ it’s not long till work, maybe you could use your alarm to make sure you’re off Xbox in time” then I leave it to him after that.

If you do regularly give him reminders it might be time to start passing the responsibility over. Part of that might mean him experiencing what happens when he runs late.

I was a bit premature- he's just come downstairs freshly showered and ready. I am surprised though! (Although he is cutting it a bit fine, should be on time if traffic is ok.)

Good for him! If he’s late and gets hauled over the coals by his boss then that might be enough of the kick up the bum he needs.

He's 16. Why wouldn't you just tell him to get a move on if needed? I'm not talking about reminding him every 5 minutes but I wouldn't deliberately set him up to fail just so you can tell yourself you're fostering independence

@RobertClementHughes

I was a bit premature- he's just come downstairs freshly showered and ready. I am surprised though! (Although he is cutting it a bit fine, should be on time if traffic is ok.)

Maybe you remind him prematurely?