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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

negativity and entitlement normal teenage behaviour?

3 replies

wingsandstrings · 17/04/2020 20:11

My DS age 13 is not enjoying the shutdown at all. He is in many ways a lovely boy, he is very soft-hearted, loving, popular at school, extremely funny. However he is currently really grumpy and it's bringing us all down. Whether it's not getting what he wants for tea, having to practice his instrument or having to come off the PS4 there is grumbling. All day he seems to be spouting negativity. He never shouts or swears or is particularly rude it's just a wearing drip drip drip of grumbles. Also he does seem really entitled and not always thinking of the feelings of others, he seems to think it's unreasonable to have to share a last snack or treat, or to be made to clean once in a while. He can also be a bit obnoxious when playing family games, winding his sister up etc. I feel torn - on the one hand negativity, thoughtlessness and entitlement are kind of typical teenage behaviours. Also, he's an extroverted very active child so is struggling with lockdown. However this low level bad behaviour is bringing us all down, and he isn't normally as bad as this. We (DH and I) are thinking of taking away the beloved PS4 until he can behave well, but at the same time because his behaviour isn't extreme it can actually be hard to explain to him exactly what he's doing wrong (no hitting, no swearing, no really unkind words, no outright refusing to do stuff).. . . . but he's so grinding to be around and we're all stuck in this small house and I am about to go mad.

OP posts:
wingsandstrings · 17/04/2020 20:12

sorry, didn't want a poll. I just wanted thoughts and tips from others.

OP posts:
recycledteenager24 · 17/04/2020 20:46

tbh he sounds like a great lad apart from the grumps but we are all like from time to timeunder lock down. may be the game console needs time limits as opposed to being removed. are you able to get out each day for exercise to burn some energy off ? does he talk to his friends online ?

CottonEaster · 17/04/2020 20:50

Probably undergoing normal teen times. They are supposed to undergo a phase of change which includes a lack of empathy according to a course I did (which my sweet, formerly confident and lovely 15 year old followed to the letter). Also if he's more extrovert he probably is suffering more than those on the more introvert side of the seesaw.

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