Just lost it with the DC. Did three massive loads of washing yesterday and asked the DC to make sure all the school clothes were in the pile to go in the wash. Washing basket was emptied. DS goes upstairs and asks where his school clothes are for tomorrow. I assumed they were in the pile of clean stuff I put on their beds earlier. They weren't. Thought I was going barmy as I knew I'd done all the washing and having already asked them to put the stuff out I wrongly thought they'd actually done it. After ranting for ten minutes and ripping the airing cupboard apart looking for lost clothes, I look in the previously empty laundry basket and lo and behold the bloody stuff is in there dirty. They have other uniform so I'm not worried that they'll have nothing to wear tomorrow, I'm just really pissed off that they cannot do a basic task like put the stuff out when asked. I think I'm more mad than usual because they are exceptionally lazy around the house and this was just the icing on the cake. I feel guilty because I was screaming at them and in the whole grand scheme of things, it really isn't a big deal. Any tips on how to get the little buggers to help a bit more? They are 14 and 15, so well able to help themselves.
AIBU?
To expect my two teenage DC to put their school uniform in the wash?
showmethemoneyhoney · 20/10/2013 21:27
mine are 5, 8 and 10
after swimming they have to empty their bags next to washing machine, before they can do anything else
when they come in from school, they have to empty pack lunch boxes and put stuff by dishwasher
On friday they have to put uniform in the wash. I do double check that I have 3 sweatshirts, and right number of trousers/skirts when I put the washing on, but they are usually there.
I will often ask one of them to go and get a load of washing, made much easier because we have three skinny baskets next to each other, and the dirty washing is sorted (whites, colours and darks) So it is easy to bring a load downstairs and 10 year old and 8 year old know how to do washing powder and turn it on.
When I wash 13 (with 2 older brothers) my Mum put a big notice in the laundry basket OI! BEFORE YOU PUT ANY MORE IN THE BASKET, PUT A LOAD IN THE MACHINE 
Probably OP, you need to be organised and train them, slowly, over several years ... even then its hard.
but its never too late. their brains are growing all the time 
.
My DD is 4 and can manage this simple task all by herself. I don't even need to remind her.
When DS is home, he can do his own washing, or put it in his laundry basket. At school, if he doesn't put it out, it doesn't get done.
What are they doing with dirty washing if not putting it straight into a laundry basket when they take it off 
?
Agree it's not your problem, so don't waste your energy yelling at them.
Firstly, they're teens. Expecting them to give a shit about laundry when they've got so many more exciting discoveries to make (girls, boys, music, films, their mates) will only drive you mad, not them.
Secondly, surely they've got enough on their plates? Why don't you try and shoehorn in learning a language, falling jn love, hours of sport, spot squeezing, whatever, into your own packed week?
Thirdly, what is this MN obsession with making children domestics? Surely it's part of the Having Children Deal that we look after THEM.
Like married, I love cooking and doing the things that make their lives easier. My DH feels the same and does laundry and tidying too; my feminist credentials are safe.
By all means they should know how to look after themselves but surely not sole daily responsible for all the family laundry/washing etc.
Little Victorian drudges!
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