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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say that 16yr olds are too young THESE DAYS to make decisions

94 replies

Kattyy · 19/07/2018 23:52

Mine went for a GP. I had arranged. You know that they are in charge of their medical health from when they're 16, right?
All he needed to do was to attend and pick up a precription. Came home with nothing... so frustrating! Really needed the prescription! At 16 they dont know their head from their ass...

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 19/07/2018 23:57

And all old people like to play bingo, right?

16 year olds are as individual as anyone else.

1 of mine would probably have ballsed it up, the other 2 probably wouldn't have.

NonaGrey · 19/07/2018 23:57

^Your% 16 yo old is apparently too young but the majority of sixteen year olds I know are more than capable.

And why on earth didn’t he make his own appointment?

Why didn’t he come home with his prescription?

Original poster
Kattyy · 20/07/2018 00:00

Lol. Old people. Am a young mum.

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 20/07/2018 00:01

16 yos need more responsibility not less, so that they actually learn to make better decisions. Send him back to sort it out.

Original poster
Kattyy · 20/07/2018 00:02

Nona, however yeah- why on earth did he not come home with the prescription- have no idea... and why he still cant put down a toilet seat Wink

OP posts:
Walkingdeadfangirl · 20/07/2018 00:02

Totally agree, its 18 in this country. They are still at school at 16!

FlyingMonkeys · 20/07/2018 00:07

I scheduled my own medical appointments at 14. Including an appointment for contraception to regulate my periods. I didn't need my mum to ring for me, I was also quite capable of collecting my own prescriptions. I think we baby children more than we used to. If you can't do basis things by 16-18 then how on earth are you going to navigate life without your mum tagging along?

NonaGrey · 20/07/2018 00:09

Katty didn’t you ask him? Perhaps the doctor had reason not to give it to him?

IvorHughJarrs · 20/07/2018 00:11

I think generations have got progressively younger.
At 16 two of mine were helpless and hopeless whereas I was more capable and had started a Saturday job. My parents had both been in full time work for 2 years for years at 16 and grandparents were working full time, away from home (e.g. at sea, in service, on a farm) well before that age

Original poster
Kattyy · 20/07/2018 00:12

I know Flying M , thats why i said "these days... think you aren't 16. Well I moved out at 16 and was perfectly capable. Looking around tho, some of them can't take a tube at 14-15 if parents aren't organising...

OP posts:
Original poster
Kattyy · 20/07/2018 00:15

Yeah Nona G of course I asked him- he didnt know his head from his arseGrin

OP posts:
Tomatoesrock · 20/07/2018 00:18

No, maybe some. The few I know are responsible.

Does he lack confidence. Did the GP not issue the prescription during the visit.

What was his reason for not getting it.

Graphista · 20/07/2018 00:18

Depends how they're raised surely? Generally speaking.

What was the prescription for? They're not on request, the dr has to think it's appropriate and needed.

Dd is 17, she's been making her own appointments (including dental check ups) for past couple years.

Tomatoesrock · 20/07/2018 00:20

Cross post.
You should have sent him back again, that would teach him Grin

NinetySixer · 20/07/2018 00:20

I’m not massively older than your son. I was arranging my own medical appointments from 14. At 16 I would have been so embarrassed to have my mum go in with me. Just because your son is incapable don’t tar a whole generation.

FlyingMonkeys · 20/07/2018 00:23

Nope not 16 but under 40. I was also a 'young mum'. Dd passed her driving test at 17 a couple of years ago. Instructor didn't expect me to tag along in the back of the car either. I think a strong emphasis on basic life skills should be taught to kids again. Being 'young' at mid 20's unfortunately seems the norm these days.

NonaGrey · 20/07/2018 00:24

I don’t really understand what that means Katty.

It’s not a complicated conversation surely.

Original poster
Kattyy · 20/07/2018 00:24

Naah, I generally think he'd lost interest by the time he was seen by the GP. And if he ever had to schedule hos own dentist appointments, I'd probs be looking for dentures right now... Really- everyone other's kids are like superorganised? Where did i go wrong???

OP posts:
Original poster
Kattyy · 20/07/2018 00:26

Nona, yeah - u have a teenager? They anwer in monosyllables

OP posts:
SofiaAmes · 20/07/2018 00:27

I have one of each. Dd is 15 and has flown across the atlantic twice by herself already and is making and keeping her own doctors' appointments etc. Ds....well he's currently 17 going on 3 and will NEVER be able to manage it on his own...takes after his dad who couldn't manage it at 50.

FlyingMonkeys · 20/07/2018 00:31

So if you were running your own home at 16. Why haven't you imparted that knowledge base/skill set to your own child? Sorry - genuinely not being goady! But I am curious.

Graphista · 20/07/2018 00:34

What flyingmonkeys said - also still curious what the prescription was for (wondering if antibiotics).

NoSquirrels · 20/07/2018 00:34

There’s something medically up with your DS that you think requires a prescription.

Your DS went to a GP appt and came home without a prescription.

Why is it your DS’s fault? Presumably the GP didn’t agree he needed any medication.

Original poster
Kattyy · 20/07/2018 00:36

Oh, FlyingM, possibly got me there, reckon was overly protective? Naah, he just has the cushioning. Doesn't need to, think.

OP posts:
Disquieted1 · 20/07/2018 00:37

16 year olds have a completely different perspective on what is important. To us it might seem irresponsible, but to the 16 year old mind it is quite normal.