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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Son getting annoyed when his clothes are in the ironing pile

210 replies

Buxton22386 · 02/08/2019 23:54

My oldest son is 21 and became very annoyed this morning because he couldn't find a pair of jeans. He was shouting his displeasure at 6.30 in the morning until I had no option to get up and find them (because it wasn't worth the complaints from the neighbours). He tells me it is a problem with the system I have for the washing. He was really rude and went out slamming the doors behind him. Its not the first time, and yes, I've told him he should leave if he is not happy about it.

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 03/08/2019 00:29

Jesus Christ, he needs to shape up or ship out OP.

My DSs started ironing their own uniforms for school at 12 and then gradually increased since then. they are 19 and 17 and their washing is their own responsibility. No-one is a dick about it, if I'm putting a load on and there is space and there is stuff in their basket i will add it in and they'll ask if I have anything if they don't have a full load.

If they were heading out and needed something ironed from their pile in a hurry, I'd offer and do it for them (as would DH) but equally I know if I was stuck and in a rush, they'd do it for me. Well, i'd ask DS1 really as DS2 is dyspraxic and his quality isn't up to my standards Grin

ModreB · 03/08/2019 00:30

If he doesn't like the system, he does his own. My 3 x DS's did this from Y7 as they were not happy with the way I ironed the school shirts.

Well, no shit Sherlock, If you dont like the way I iron, do it yourself.

Purpleartichoke · 03/08/2019 00:31

First off, jeans do not need to be ironed

Second, he should be cleaning his own clothes. Not because of his attitude, because he is old enough to wash his own clothes. If machine schedules are a problem, assign him times when he is allowed to do his wash. Emergencies can of course be negotiated as they arise.

HeadintheiClouds · 03/08/2019 00:33

It really isn’t just about the washing, is it? Confused. It’s about him treating you like shit loudly enough to be heard next door. Making him do his own washing is only the tip of the iceberg in sorting this one out...

StrawberryDaiquiriPlease · 03/08/2019 00:34

Get him a laundry basket for his room. Tell him to collect lights/darks in his room. Tell him to use the washing machine between hours and IF it is free. Show him how you will allow him to use your machine. Tell him he can use the iron and ironing board IF it is free IN HIS room. Sorted.

Bowerbird5 · 03/08/2019 00:36

I had three football playing boys. The eldest was promising and played for three teams at 14, the second played for two and so did the youngest. I had a compliant as I had washed the wrong kit and the other one wasn’t dry. I said ,That’s it! I should him how to use the washing machine and told him in future he washed his own. I did the normal stuff as long as it was brought down.
At 21 he had bought his own house.
All my kids were taught to use the machine at 14 then it was their responsibility if there was something needed they washed it themselves.

PickAChew · 03/08/2019 00:36

Arsehole can wash and iron his own damned clothes. You're not his maid.

mussolini9 · 03/08/2019 00:40

Well what a learning opportunity for someone behaving like a spoiled brat!
My oldest son is 21 and became very annoyed this morning because he couldn't find a pair of jeans.
Why is that anybody's problem but his own? Is he incapable of keeping track of his own wardrobe?

He was shouting his displeasure at 6.30 in the morning until I had no option to get up and find them (because it wasn't worth the complaints from the neighbours).
"Son, I am doing NOTHING to help you find what you have misplaced until you stop shouting. And if you have woken the neighbours, you will be visiting them later to apologise, as well as to me & anyone else here you have woken with your rudeness."

He tells me it is a problem with the system I have for the washing.
"Wow, you've devised amore efficient method? Great, can't wait to see you putting it into action!"

He was really rude and went out slamming the doors behind him.
What an angry little chap. Do you feel the need to appease him out of his tantrums, (eg by "having" to get up), or can you start challenging each incident as it arises?
"Son, I'm cross about the way you slammed the door this morning & you are not going to do it again. That is a non-negotiable part of living here as an adult. I expect adult behaviour from you."

Its not the first time, and yes, I've told him he should leave if he is not happy about it
Good. The only thing wrong with it is that the statement is topsy turvy.
Your son gets to leave if YOU are not happy about it.
You are going to have to impress that upon him, or all he will hear is 'like it or lump it' - & as his other behavioirs indicate that his acting out results in quite satisfactory outcomes for him, he is unlikely to believe that you mean it.

So turn it around. You require that he washes & manages his own clothes, as well as anyone else's which are in the laundry when he is filling the machine. That he does not shout & keeps an adult level of control of his temper. That sounds like the bare minimum to me, & I hope you also have a list of fairly-shared chores which are now his as well.

He behaves respectfully, keeps his temper, takes more responsibility for his own stuff & also some family chores - or he moves out.

It may sound an abrupt switch to harshness, OP, but he has a serious atitude problem & it must be driving you round the twist. If you don't lay it on the line now you will be entering a constant seesaw of him kicking off with entitled, demanding behaviour & you appeasing it by responding to & enabling it. Which props up his already grandiose notions, such as his time & sleep being more important than yours, so hey - next time he's frustrated all he need do is be as unpleasant & shouty as is required to start the seesaw of demands off again, & have then appeased .. & on & on ad infinitum.

A lot of young men can be like this OP. They can grow out of it if strong women around them start calling them out on it, & ensuring that the consequences are followed up.

timshelthechoice · 03/08/2019 01:07

The neighbours will have nothing to complain about if you grow a spine and throw his arse out. FFS. I don't do my kids laundry and they are teenagers. They use the washing machine and airer and if they want to iron they know where it is. YouTube taught them how to iron.

WhatTiggersDoBest · 03/08/2019 01:10

Honestly I'd have him doing ALL the household laundry after that little outburst, at least for a few weeks (and he can pay the full cost to replace anything of yours he damages by "accident"). Then he can learn what it's like doing something for someone else for a change. I mean, that's what he's expecting you to do for him.

Palaver1 · 03/08/2019 01:11

Exact reason why I stop touching my children’s clothes at 14.

AngeloMysterioso · 03/08/2019 01:12

Holy shit woman, stop doing your grown-ass son’s washing and ironing for him!

Palaver1 · 03/08/2019 01:13

I’d say the washing machines not working, everyone to the laundrette.
Very cheeky off him ,I’m cross on your behalf xx

TwistyTop · 03/08/2019 01:13

Is this a joke?

Obviously just stop doing his washing..? Unless you agreed that it's included in the rent that I assume he pays, given his shockingly entitled attitude.

Sparklesocks · 03/08/2019 01:16

Stop doing his washing and ironing for him. At his age that is very much his responsibility.

Weenurse · 03/08/2019 01:20

Stop doing his laundry.
Pack his bags and leave them by the door.
He can either choose to be civil and treat you with respect or leave.
We all share chores in our house and they have been responsible for their own laundry since they were fifteen.

sandgrown · 03/08/2019 01:23

Many years ago when young men had creases down the front of their trousers my brother complained about the way my mum had ironed his trousers.The next time she ironed the creases down the side . He never complained again!

IsobelRae23 · 03/08/2019 01:27

This evening without being asked my 14 year old son, emptied the tumbled dryer and folded the clothes, got the washing from the washing machine and filled the tumble dryer, and asked me if I had any washing as he was putting in a load for his jeans, t-shirt hoodie as he wanted to wear it tomorrow.

Just saying 🤷🏻‍♀️

StillCoughingandLaughing · 03/08/2019 01:30

Christ, some people love a drama. He doesn’t like how you iron his clothes. You say ‘Do it yourself then, you lazy sod!’ Job done.

StillCoughingandLaughing · 03/08/2019 01:33

Op, what is his father like? I ask because your son seems to be showing signs of controlling behaviour.

Jesus, get a grip. It’s an overgrown teenager getting a bit stroppy. No one needs therapy.

CJsGoldfish · 03/08/2019 01:36

My 13 yr old does her own washing. NO WAY in the world I'd be doing a 21yr olds. I definitely wouldn't be spoken to that way.
Having said that, I'll shout out for any washing to go on if I have room when doing my own/household wash. For which they are thankful.

This clearly hasn't come out of nowhere so time to stand up for yourself. Stop doing his washing and ironing. Don't accept his behaviour towards you. Start there and see how you go. If he doesn't like it, he doesn't have to stay.

HouseworkAvoider10 · 03/08/2019 01:37

He's a twat.
You know what you need to do.

Grumpelstilskin · 03/08/2019 01:37

Gosh, hope one day you will morph from a doormat into someone with a spine OP. My DB tried this shit as a teenager and my mother dumped all his dirty clothes on top of him in his bed and he had to cook for himself for quite some time. His little macho phase ended very abruptly! My DS isn't at that age yet but he has to do a few chores already and should he still be living at home, he will be doing his own laundry and ironing. Then again, my DH does the ironing, he doesn't mind it and I do other stuff. I am aghast that you aren't kicking his arrogant arse out pronto.

StillCoughingandLaughing · 03/08/2019 01:44

‘Aghast’?

BlankTimes · 03/08/2019 02:05

aghast

adjective

filled with horror or shock.
"she winced, aghast at his cruelty"
synonyms: horrified, appalled, astounded, amazed, dismayed, thunderstruck, stunned, shocked, shell-shocked, in shock, flabbergasted, staggered, taken aback, speechless, awestruck, open-mouthed, wide-eyed;

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