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AIBU?

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Original poster

I've just shouted at my son for hiding and jumping out at me

148 replies

mydogmymate · 17/08/2018 20:46

My ds (11) has taken to hiding then jumping out on me. He sits on the stairs and I know he's there but he doesn't answer me. Then, when I least expect it, he jumps out at me or suddenly appears at the door.

I know he's only 11, but the first time he did it I explained that I don't like it and he seemed to get it. Now today, he's done it about 5 times and my nerves are in shreds. Each time he insists he's only joking, but it's just not funny. He did it again about 10 minutes ago and I shouted at him, now he's in his room sulking and said I'm no fun.

Have I overreacted?

OP posts:
BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 17/08/2018 21:16

You don't need to take the whole xbox, just the lead between it and the TV (voice of experience).

BrazzleDazzleDay · 17/08/2018 21:17

You're no fun? Hardly likely to be with a dc doing that. Have you had an in depth this is why I don't like it chat? Or just a you scared me chat?

Italiangreyhound · 17/08/2018 21:18

Agree with Aprilshowersinaugust
"Hide his games console...
An hour for every time he has scared you should do it .."

It's not funny or a joke, it's mean. And potentially dangerous as you might accidentally thunk him!

Original poster
mydogmymate · 17/08/2018 21:18

Thankyou Black. I'll keep that nugget for future use!!

OP posts:
Cismyass · 17/08/2018 21:18

DD(4) occasionally does this and i almost keel over with shock perhaps she's trying to get rid of me? Grin

Happyhippy45 · 17/08/2018 21:20

A friend did this to his dw. She got such a fright she punched him in the face. I don't think he did it again Grin

At 11 he should be taking a telling. All kids push it a bit but this seems a bit extreme. I think if you explain he'll be losing his Xbox if he does it again should work.....and if he does it again make sure you follow through!

MeyMary · 17/08/2018 21:20

YANBU.

You're actually underreacting imo.

I hate getting frightened. It leaves me feeling miserable.

His behaviour is nasty and bullying imo. He should have more respect for people.

Especially his mother!

Bluetrews25 · 17/08/2018 21:21

Alternatively, wait until he has been in bed, asleep, for an hour or so, open his door, and scream like a girl. I bet he finds that funny. Hmm
BUT that does make you as bad as him....

Happyhippy45 · 17/08/2018 21:21

Oh I see you've taken his phone. Hope this deters him from doing it again.

MarthaArthur · 17/08/2018 21:22

I know someone who used to do that to my housemage until he pretended to have a heart attack. It scared the joker so much he never did it again. Grin

MeyMary · 17/08/2018 21:24

If you tell him that he scared you, that you hate the feeling etc and he does it again? I feel like that would warrant serious consequences.

It's incredibly nasty.

WooYa · 17/08/2018 21:24

DH did this to me and i accidentally punched him in the throat (genuine automatic reactionConfused) he couldn't breathe for ages but hasn't done it since...

MeyMary · 17/08/2018 21:24

Oh, phone was taken.

👍👍

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 17/08/2018 21:25

I would also point out to him that if you do something and someone tells you that they don't like it, but you keep on doing it anyway, that's a pretty good definition of bullying.

MeyMary · 17/08/2018 21:26

bullying

Or assault, depending on the situation... :/

ManyCrisps · 17/08/2018 21:26

This thread is fucking ridiculous I can’t tell if people are being sarcastic or serious.

Knittedfairies · 17/08/2018 21:27

When he complains that you’ve removed the lead between the Xbox and the TV, remember to tell him it’s a joke and he’s no fun.
My nerves would be shredded too.

CheshireChat · 17/08/2018 21:27

I'm shocked at the suggestions to hit him back and that he's 11 so it's assault Shock.

You absolutely need to make 100% clear it's not acceptable and you need to enforce consequences (sounds like you are anyway), but fucking hell to some of the PP.

If the OP had a daughter it's doubtful you'd suggest the same things...

Maybe explain in technicolour detail your thought process when he scares you- so being frightened because there's an intruder, checking if you can get him and you safe, worrying if you can call for help etc etc. Have done this to my 6ft4 DP who just didn't get that women really think routinely of escape routes and the like.

snozzlemaid · 17/08/2018 21:29

Christ you wouldn't want to live here.
In my house we all do this to each other all the time. We all find it hilarious though (after the initial shock that is).

Laiste · 17/08/2018 21:31

I fucking hate people making me jump. Really seriously pisses me off.

I have 4 kids and they all learned this pretty much the first time they tried it.

I'd bloody show him how much 'not fun' i could could be if he made me jump 5 times in one day! His phone would've been down the loo on the second jump!

MeyMary · 17/08/2018 21:32

Cheshire

I didn't mean to say that this was assault. It was a response to:

if you do something and someone tells you that they don't like it, but you keep on doing it anyway, that's a pretty good definition of bullying.

Or assault in some situations.

diddl · 17/08/2018 21:32

He's plenty old enough to be told no more & for him to stick to it.

It's not something I'd find funny either tbh.

whataboutbob · 17/08/2018 21:33

My son did this a couple of times, hid behind a door and jumped out at me making a sub machine gun noise. At the time I was very stressed with a dad with dementia I hit the roof. He didn’t do it again. I absolutely hate it. I think kids enjoy scaring each other/ being scared but for adults, and I m an older mum, it’s horrid.

Charolais · 17/08/2018 21:34

Tell him you get him back and it will be late at night and he will never know when to expect it. ‘If I was you I’d be too scared to ever close my eyes again at night - ever again’.

That’ll make him think.

Bazoo23 · 17/08/2018 21:35

Only on MN could an 11 year old making their mum jump be labelled abuse. Classic.

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