AIBU to ground DS until he is 36?

[marriedinwhite]

Long story short. DS has had a busy few days. He has been home for about 15 minutes and I last saw him on Friday morning. He went to a friends after a firework party for a bit more fun and they all jumped in the pool fully clothed. He is trying to dry out his blackberry in the airing cupboard and gently sat down to tell me about this little prank - in his sopping wet jeans on my brand new sofa . Not sure which bit I am angriest about. He's almost 17, works really hard and I am always complimented on the export model. Am struggling to decide whether I'm really really cross or if I should roll my eyes and accept it as normal teenage behaviour.

Thanks all. A bit of support has sent me off to bed happy and with a little more perspective. Quite chuffed at all the support. Night all - let's all look forward to a new day tomorrow.

Sorry I'm with Janefonda here.

Yes, he's a muppet for jumping in a pool with a phone in his pocket. But he will be learning as we type that that was stupid, cos it is broke, and he'll be missing it, and I trust you will not be simply replacing it for him.

WRT the sofa, that's annoying. But really, there are worse things which teenagers could do and if you go off on one about this, what are you going to do about something more serious? Focus on consequences and what he's going to do about the sofa. Is there a Stain Devil he can buy and use on it?

Do not, let a teen near your sofa with stain removing solvent

I know two adults who have ruined expensive phones in the last week, one in a pool and one in a river.

The sofa one is typical teenage though- you'll laugh about it one day (except that day will be a while coming).

DH and his brother were messing around with a football on Christmas morning once when the ball hit a priceless antique teapot (part of a whole set on a dresser) and smashed it. The boys were 17 and 19 at the time.

I hope he hadn't been drinking, as this prank could have had a very different outcome ie drowning or paralysis, which would worry me much more than the BlackBerry or the sofa.

Does grounding work?

Only I think I probably can't put my DS17 on the naughty step? And expect him to stay there and shut up ponder the error of his ways?
I know ! I will ask him what to do since he knows everything whereas I am from the dark ages and know nothing.
(Hangs head in shame and hands over car keys and weeks wages like all his friends parents do)

My DS is currently grounded, I would say it is working; but he is only 13!

Mine have been grounded for various things until at least their mid sixties!
This is normal, yes, he's a bit of a silly sod, but weren't we all, in fact, aren't we all!
He sounds like a really good lad, and if he's a hard worker, letting of steam is a good thing. I'm glad you're letting it go.

Yes, I grounded him at 13 for a weekend when he was rude to me in front of DH's mother. Caused a rumpus at the time and she had pursed lips for the rest of the weekend. DS was very upset because he missed going to his new best friends on the Saturday evening. New best friend, and the older brother, with a few mates, emptied the drinks fridge, lit a number of very expensive cigars (the parents were away and the 18 year old sister was in charge!). New best friend was grounded for three weeks, and DS was back out again the following Friday with much, much nicer old friends and quickly concluded the new bf was a jerk. Phew!