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

[Kattyy]

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...

Who's fault is that?

Lol presumably mine?

I think it's very much the norm to view young adults as 'children' for longer since the rise in compulsory education till 18. However, it's a government cost cutting measure in benefits vs a 'children are younger these days' fact OP. So yes, whilst you may view your child as younger than yourself at 16. In actual fact it was only 16-18yrs ago yourself that you were moving out of home and living alone independently.

Children aren't 'younger these days'. But 'young people' are penalised for needing to live independently by the government. If you're under 18-25 and 'need' to move out of home because it's a toxic environment, it's very difficult to get financial assistance to do so these days. That's the difference to 15-20 years ago.

Children are much more adaptable than people think, when it's important to them.

Drop your 16 year old off on a deserted island with nothing but an old videotape and an ice-skating boot and he'd become resilient.
He'd even make a friend out of a football.

Nonag,
However you picked up lazy and useless...
Naah... he'll be one of the boys u'd wish were courting ur girls... 😋

OP you've clearly had enough of whatever you're smoking....please lob the rest my way to help me sleep, then we can talk teens in the morning.

Yeah private message, got enough for u:)

@Disquieted1

"Drop your 16 year old off on a deserted island with nothing but an old videotape and an ice-skating boot and he'd become resilient."

Probably make a fortune selling it as an art installation

Who said anything about London OP? Not everyone lives there you know.

And why should that make a difference?

As for “lazy and useless”, it’s my summation from your posts:

Doesn’t put the toilet seat down
Doesn’t arrange his own medical or dental appointments
Doesn’t get prescription he needs
Doesn’t keep track of school submissions
Doesn’t give a “rats arse”.

“lazy and useless” doesn’t seem an unreasonable judgement to me.

Ok cool, Nonagrey hasn't met a teenager. Brill!

All my sons were raised the same. In the same house with the same parents (me and husband).
They could not be more different.

Send them to the Drs for a prescription and

Oldest would bring back the prescription no trouble.

Youngest would eventually return with a tribe of friends and say he'll rush up the surgery right now to make up for forgetting.

Middle son, well, if he tripped over any females on the way I doubt we would see him again.

U still a mum of toddlers? Though they we're gonna stay as sweet forever too!

I work with young carers who, at age 12/13 and even younger, will be taking care of ill or addicted parents and younger siblings, running the house, doing the cooking, organising medical appointments and still going to school and taking exams.

Surely you don't think this is a good thing? Don't we all acknowledge that in an ideal world they wouldn't have to - they would be having a childhood and the state would be providing the appropriate resourses and support for their parents.

I disagree, it depends on the 16 year old. Some 16 year olds are parents and reasonibly mature for their age.

Melonscoffer- how did u ever keep ur sanity?

how did u ever keep ur sanity

Who said I was sane {grin}

Is an answer

So how did you fund moving out of home at 16 years of age, 16-18years ago in London OP? Genuine question. I'm in the NE and living costs/housing costs are fairly low by comparison. Genuine interest! Were you subsidised as a young single parent, employed, in full-time education and in receipt of full housing benefit? From my limited knowledge - it seems that London based folk have to be willing to relocate area these days if they apply for social housing? Is this the case? -

Sorry bit of a derailment... It just seems strange you consider your DS as child whilst you considered yourself an adult less than a generation ago.

Naah, not originally from uk. But how did i financially manage? Well, did some jobs here and there.. managed, kinda

Kattyy
Your son will be fine when he is a bit older. No one knows what type of teenager their sweet baby will become.

Mine now?
Oldest son - proffessional permanentley living in Asia
Youngest son - owns his own business and high street premises.
Middle son - surprise, surprise, married a stunning girl and has four children.

permanently
professional

Before I had my sons I could spell and everything. Honest.

Thank you melonscoffer.. it's frustrating however- right? Love them but what on earth happens to them when they turn teen?

You managed London rental prices at 16 with a bit of work 'here and there'? Plus childcare costs?...

Nope, as said, not originally from uk. However, yeah worked after school and was kinda challenging