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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How should I respond to teenage DS?

66 replies

Fandangoes · 16/07/2021 06:09

I am at a loss and would appreciate advice. Had a huge row with DS last night. He has always been a fairly easy kid although always been pretty lazy. He is now 17 and has started to get more difficult. He doesn’t have a lot of chores but I do expect him to keep his bedroom reasonable or not littered with dirty plates and cups, food wrappers etc and I expect him to put his dishes in the dishwasher. I came hone from work last night to dishes all over the side, kitchen worktops smeared with food and crumbs his belongings all over the place etc. I had to ask him 3 times to clear it up. I had asked him to empty the dishwasher whilst I was out at work but apparently it hadn’t washed so he just left it - he said he didn’t know how to turn it on! Anyway things escalated, he started just shouting over me, I asked him to stop doing that but he got really quite aggressive told me to fucking shut up he was sick of listening to me say the same things. I told him not to swear he called me childish they are just words he’ll used them if he wants, he called me a dick and a vile person because I’m always having a go at him etc etc. I tried to stay calm but I did tell him that he could use whatever language he wanted with his friends but I did not want him swearing in front of me and if he could t respect that he could find somewhere else to live as his behaviour was not acceptable. I also told him that from now on he could wash his own clothes, make his own meals, get himself up for work and get the bus because I wasn’t doing anything for him anymore, I had had enough. He just continued to shout at me so I went to bed. I’m not sure how best to handle this. I do end up nagging him because he doesn’t do a thing he is told and it drives me mad. I don’t see why I should have to come home from work to his mess. Any advice on what I do next would be appreciated

OP posts:
KidneyBeans · 16/07/2021 10:11

I think when things have calmed down you need a clear conversation with him.

I'd want to point out that yes you!re his mum but he is male, tall and strong and when he gets aggressive and swears it shows a lack of control that is frightening - he needs to be aware of that. As an almost-man he has physical power, and with that comes a responsibility for him to be aware of how he interacts with women and girls.

He is also choosing to live with you and as such needs to be respectful and considerate. Otherwise he perhaps needs to plan for a house share and consider how he would speak to and interact with non-parent adults.

Keep things calm and encourage him to reflect on his behaviour. As a teen when he's emotionally overwrought he'll have poor impulse control or understanding of consequences, but when he's calm, encourage reflection, tell him you love him, and try and get him to see that treating you like a skivvy is not ok.

Fandangoes · 16/07/2021 10:16

thanks kidneybeans, thats a good approach, I'll give it a go

OP posts:
coodawoodashooda · 16/07/2021 17:50

I love the, 'just because youre an adult doesn't mean youre a grown up.'

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 16/07/2021 18:46

I honestly think some kids shouldn't be allowed to be an adult legally just because they've lived for 18 years.
one of mine certainly should. he is so immature.

they should do some sort of exam or test and if they fail they would have to repeat a year and be 17 again.

some wouldn't pass that test for decades 🥴🤣

I8toys · 16/07/2021 19:05

I can't imagine wanting my kids to move out. I think you have to pick your battles. A few plates, bowls in their rooms just annoys me but they don't think. They try and tidy up the kitchen when making food so that's not too bad. However any disrespect and being aggressive would really shock me and would mean action of some sort.

Fandangoes · 16/07/2021 22:43

Believe me l8toys I feel exactly the same way. I have not brought up my children to behave like this and to be honest I think I have been pretty look to get to 16 years before this kicked in. Of course I don’t want him to move out, I just don’t want him to be so rude and disrespectful. He has t come hone from work or text me to let me k ow where he is. My husband is telling me to just leave it until he turns up with his tail between his legs so I’m sitting on my hands!!

OP posts:
Boopeedoop · 17/07/2021 16:28

Did he come home?

Fandangoes · 17/07/2021 21:45

Yes he came home, went straight to his room then slept in this morning and missed his shift at work! DH had a chat with him this morning but he still hasn’t apologised to me.

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Brefugee · 17/07/2021 22:17

I was wondering if you had a DH on the scene. I would keep to not doing anything at all for him, no cooking, washing, reminding him to be ready for work etc. None of it.

If he wants something from you he's going to have to earn it back.

But you need to get the fuse box thing sorted - is there another room he can have?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 17/07/2021 22:31

OP any chance he's using drugs?

Fandangoes · 18/07/2021 10:16

That’s what I’m worried about MrsPelligrinoPetrichor. DH asked him but he said no but then I guess he would say no! I’ve not noticed any obvious signs of him coming home stoned or on something but that’s not to say he isn’t!

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 18/07/2021 10:18

The sleeping through work seems a bit extreme,that's what made me ask. Is he gaming all night?

Fandangoes · 18/07/2021 15:46

He has always slept deep and struggle to wake up and yes he stays up til all hours gaming. I’m a night owl myself so it’s hard to tell him he has to go to bed early when I’m still up! But the difference is I get myself up for work

OP posts:
Deedoubleyou · 19/07/2021 16:18

@LindaEllen

I'm in a similar situation with 17yo DSS at the moment. Literally all we expect him to do is keep his bedroom tidy (he doesn't), do his own washing (he waits until every item he owns is dirty and then puts a wash on for the 2 items he wants to wear the next day, then puts them in the dryer for an hour instead of hanging them out), and wash up after dinner - which I cook (he will do this, but does it so fast so he can be finished that there's still food on a lot of the dishes and cutlery).

It's becoming exhausting.

He just makes toast and leaves the crumbs on the side, cuts it directly on the worktop and has scratched a brand new worktop, leaves empty bottles/packets on the side even though he has to walk past the bin to leave the room.. it's honestly getting to me. And he's recently announced that he's not going to uni in September anymore. He works 3 shifts a week at McDonald's and he says he's happy with that as it leaves him with plenty of money and plenty of free time to go out.

I don't think I can live like this.

"Oh that's great since you're no longer in education you can start paying market value rent, and your share of council tax and utilities! What excellent news, your dad and I will be able to afford a lovely holiday"

See how happy he is with 3 shifts a week when he has real bills to pay.

GoWalkabout · 19/07/2021 16:26

Stand firm you said the right thing. He needs to apologise and shape up because he needs to learn that he can't use aggression to control people. You need to get someone to help you take control of the WiFi and if he turns the fuse box off there needs to be a severe consequence. Dh needs to do more than have a chat with him.

2bazookas · 19/07/2021 16:54

also told him that from now on he could wash his own clothes, make his own meals, get himself up for work and get the bus

You're on the right track. Change wifi password and keep it turned off.
Stop all pocketmoney, phone payments etc. Keep your purse and cards with you at all times.

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