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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be fuming with DS?

32 replies

Superduperdoo · 29/07/2012 22:49

I'm so bloody cross with my 15yr old Son! OH's Mum is in intensive care, really poorly. We only found out this morning and went to see her. I took the 6yr old and left the 15yr old at home with the kitten. (He didn't want to come and it's not his GP)

I asked for 2 things when i was gone. 1 to feed the kitten wet food at lunch and tea times, make sure his water and dry food was full. 2 to wash up any dishes he dirties.

We get home a couple of hours ago, absolutely exhausted to find lolly wrappers all over the sofa and living room floor, the kitchen a disgusting mess, i don't know what he's done to the hob but it's got food all stuck to it dispite me cleaning it last night. The kitten had 3 pieces of dried food left and the wet food congeled in his bowl from when i've fed him this morning.

He still hasn't washed up and has taken himself off to bed claiming he's too tired to do it now after a day full of playing the xbox. He point blank refused when i went up there so i'm grounding him and he's not having pocket money for the forseeable future. Still leaves me with a kitchen to clean when i'm completely mentally and physically exhausted and just want to go to bed.

Why can't he just do what i ask it was hardly unreasonable.

OP posts:
FallenCaryatid · 29/07/2012 22:51

Lock up the xbox for a couple of weeks. He sounds like he needs a metaphorical boot up the arse, no excuses for not doing what you'd asked him to.

civilfawlty · 29/07/2012 22:56

Take the x box away.

DumSpiroSpero · 29/07/2012 22:59

Agree with Fallen - the xbox would be biting the dust for a good few days, and tbh I'd leave the kitchen and mess and make him do it in the morning.

Original poster
Superduperdoo · 29/07/2012 23:03

I'm tempted to leave it but he won't do it in the morning either and i've got to take the kitten to the vets 1st thing. If i have to walk into that again i think i might cry. Good idea re xbox, i'm going to unplug it now and hide it.

OP posts:
Lonelylou · 29/07/2012 23:10

Sleep on it tonight Super you must be really tired.

DON'T bother with the kitchen.It's not that important tonight.
Think about explaining to him how his actions made you feel and how you expect (not want) him to make up for it when you've decided on the consequences of his lazyness.

CaliforniaLeaving · 29/07/2012 23:12

Put the x-box controllers in a bag and take them in the car with you. He can't do anything without them.

Original poster
Superduperdoo · 29/07/2012 23:25

That's a great idea California, i've hidden the controller and will take it with me in the morning. He can have it back once the kitchen is clean again. It's really stressing me out leaving it because i hate the kitchen being in a state. The rest of the house i can just about live with being a mess but i have to make sure the dishes are done and the sides are wiped before i go to bed.

OP posts:
KickTheGuru · 29/07/2012 23:27

Also, there is normally an electrical plug behind the xbox - take that too.

OR just hide the whole xbox so that a mate can't loan him any of the bits

LindyHemming · 29/07/2012 23:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StuntGirl · 29/07/2012 23:31

Definitely remove xbox priviledges.

I'd also be having a serious chat with him tomorrow. I know teens can be a nightmare for things like tidying but really, his behaviour is pretty poor.

Original poster
Superduperdoo · 29/07/2012 23:40

Yes it is very poor. He thinks because it's not my family i shouldn't be upset but i've known her for 8yrs and i care about her, plus OH and his siblings and Father are in bits. Even if i'd be out gallavanting and had asked him to do those 2 things he still should have.

OP posts:
whackamole · 29/07/2012 23:48

You don't even need to take the xbox away BTW - just take away the cable! Easier to hide....

FallenCaryatid · 29/07/2012 23:52

You asked very little of him, and neglecting the kitten was a horrible thing to do.
Whatever the reason for your absence, he's totally in the wrong.

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 29/07/2012 23:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Superduperdoo · 29/07/2012 23:57

No he's just lazy and selfish mostly. He does redeem himself sometimes but not often.

OP posts:
FallenCaryatid · 29/07/2012 23:58

Stop tolerating it.

MrsTomHardy · 30/07/2012 00:08

Sounds just like any of my 3 ds's Sad

bejeezus · 30/07/2012 00:10

Not feeding a kitten all day, is beyond lazy and selfish IMO

Run over the XBox, with the car

Am never understanding why people have Xboxes/ playstations/Wiis Confused..they appear to turn people into arseholes??

Original poster
Superduperdoo · 30/07/2012 00:14

Glad i'm not alone.

The kitten did have a full plate of dry food so he didn't starve but still!!!!!!!!!!

OP posts:
ErikNorseman · 30/07/2012 01:45

Take the Xbox away until he has made up for his behaviour. This for me would be more than just cleaning the kitchen.

MadamFolly · 30/07/2012 09:24

Hide the xbox, controllers and cable in different locations so even if he finds one or two he can't use it. evil

Original poster
Superduperdoo · 30/07/2012 09:48

We're at the vets now. He wasn't happy to hear i was taking his controller with me. He went off on one and started ripping up his brothers stickers so i ripped up one of his cards. I just left him to it and told him whatever he does to our stuff I'll do back to his but god knows what state the house will be in when i get home!

OP posts:
MadamFolly · 30/07/2012 09:56

Are you going to make him pay for his brothers stuff? Maybe say thats where his pocket money will be going for the forseeable future. Its not fair on his siblings if he is destroying thier stuff and not replacing it.

bubby64 · 30/07/2012 10:03

I took xbox controllers and cables away from my 2 (both 11yrs) the other day, as they were not doing the one thing I asked, which was put their clean, folded washing away, they ranted and raged, but they have to earn them back now, by doing the job I initially asked for, and one job extra each for each day the first is not done! Surprise, surprise, after 3 days in x-box "limbo" they are starting to do their chores now Grin

TheOneWithTheGoldMedals · 30/07/2012 10:11

I really feel for you. Ds (16) is just as selfish and lazy. If I ask him to do something -drama.

If I don't let him do what he want - drama

If I say something he doesn't want to hear - drama

Perseverance is the key and sticking to your guns. I keep reminding myself that it won't last forever.