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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have got really annoyed with 13 year old DS

20 replies

Laughingstock91 · 12/12/2021 11:01

My 13 year old DS has this really annoying habit of kicking a football about in the house- we live in a tiny terrace and I have literally asked him countless times not to do it it as it’s really annoying. He also just dives about, clatters into something and then hurts himself. Over and over again.

I literally lost the plot about it this morning as yet again he has clattered into something and hurt himself.

He’s now upset because I got really annoyed and thinks I am not being sympathetic to him being injured but it’s like the 50th time I have asked him not to kick a fucking ball about in the house. I even hid the ball but he found it and the pattern is on repeat.

Aibu? It’s literally driving me mad- I go upstairs and all I can hear is a ball against the wall in his room again. Aaarrgghhh!

OP posts:
2reefsin30knots · 12/12/2021 11:05

Pop the ball.

Butchyrestingface · 12/12/2021 11:07

Take ball and stash it somewhere really unfindable and only issue it when he's going outside.

Or penalties for doing it in the house, because apparently injuring himself is not enough.

I take it you do have decent garden space for him to play outside?

NynaeveSedai · 12/12/2021 11:07

Remove the ball??

Original poster
Laughingstock91 · 12/12/2021 11:09

@Butchyrestingface no, yard but he can go out on the road- which I have asked him to do countless times - or go to the park with his mates. It’s like some weird habit he’s got into - he’s also broken stuff in the house kicking it - i think I am going to just Chuck all balls out!!

OP posts:
MerryInthechelseahotel · 12/12/2021 11:11

I have a 13 year old who is exactly the same! You have my sympathy!

HeatonGrove · 12/12/2021 11:12

Is there a Sunday morning football club he could join?

Original poster
Laughingstock91 · 12/12/2021 11:12

@MerryInthechelseahotel that’s actually quite reassuring to be honest!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Laughingstock91 · 12/12/2021 11:13

@HeatonGrove he plays in a team so trains & plays a few times a week. And plays in school - doesn’t seem to stop this though!!

OP posts:
TimeForTeaAndG · 12/12/2021 11:14

Does he have to pay (have pocket money removed) when he breaks items in the house?

Tbh, I'd have chucked every single ball out after being told once not to do it.

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 12/12/2021 11:14

Get rid of the ball. He’s been warned enough times. You’re partly at fault here OP, you set a rule and then don’t enforce it. You need to actually mean it. There are absolutely no footballs in my house. No one is in any doubt about what that means.

Original poster
Laughingstock91 · 12/12/2021 11:16

@MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry I know- you are right- I seem to have got into a pattern with it too that we do really need to break!

OP posts:
TrashyPanda · 12/12/2021 11:20

Don’t ask him - tell him. It isn’t up for debate. No please, no “would you” - it’s an instruction.

And then if he does it again, take the ball and make him do a household chore, like cleaning the bathroom. Good way for him to learn housekeeping skills!

He isn’t a small kid and is just being a brat.you don’t ask him to stop being antisocial - you tell him. If he doesn’t start to respect you now, then look out as he really hits puberty.

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 12/12/2021 11:24

OP try attaching the rule to a consequence “no footballs in the house- if there is a football in the house I will burst it/bin it”

And then you have to do it. And don’t give him any further warnings/chances. The rule is the warning, he is 13 he, he can understand English. The only reason for him to ignore the rule is because he is chancing his arm hoping you will be as easy to persuade as you have been to date.

Newrumpus · 12/12/2021 11:24

When my lad was primary school age, it used to confuse me why the light bulbs in his bedroom needed to be replaced so much more frequently than all the others. He used to just shrug and say it stopped working. I figured it out eventually!

HyacynthBucket · 12/12/2021 11:35

Don't ask him. Tell him not to kick the ball in the house.

slashlover · 12/12/2021 11:42

Aibu? It’s literally driving me mad- I go upstairs and all I can hear is a ball against the wall in his room again. Aaarrgghhh!

If you live in a terrace then I'm surprised that your neighbours haven't complained yet.

Cantfindausernamethatsnottaken · 12/12/2021 11:58

I would never allow a ball in the house.Every one I saw I would burst in front of him.I cant believe you allow it to keep happening.

JustLikea · 12/12/2021 12:06

I'd hide, remove or pop the ball

Why can't he just go to the local park and kick the ball around there. Is it too dark, unsafe ?

Poor kid he really wants to kick that ball around

Walkingalot · 12/12/2021 13:38

For a second I thought I'd written your thread in my sleep!

It's a habit he's got into. I got him a big tennis ball style ball so it doesn't do so much damage. The football is banned for use in the house.

PinkSyCo · 12/12/2021 14:21

God I would hate to live next door to you. Just tell him the next time he kicks the ball in the house you will fucking pop it! He’s 13 not 3.

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