To ask son to reduce water consumption

[VestPantsandSocks]

My adult son leaves the water running whilst shampooing his hair and soaping himself during his 20 minute shower.

AIBU to ask him to switch off the water at these times?

Well, he needs to pay for rent, bills and food like a normal adult. If he doesn't want to pay his way, then he can move out.

20 mins? I can’t wait to get out once I’ve washed my hair and body

Except when you are paying for water, what you are really paying for is the electricity to pump the water so you're taking a double bite of the carbon cherry.

I used to live with a friend in my early twenties who took long 20 minute showers, and one day we were due to go out she had her long shower and there was no hot water left for me, and I found that inconsiderate. I it reasonable to ask your son to take shorter showers.

People keep going on about wasting water. FFS it's the cost of HEATING the water that's the major issue whether by gas or electricity.

Just to be picky, masturbating is not 'misbehaving'

If he was

When I first read your post i thought you were being ridiculous but reading further if you are in a position to worry about bills then I think it's reasonable to ask that he doesn't leave hot water running and certainly not for twenty minutes.

You have spoken to him about it and he has taken no notice and do you know why he has ignored your request ? He ignores you because he has no respect because as an adult Mummy is still babying him. Why the hell isn't your adult son paying towards the household bills ? How on earth can you expect him to care about the water bill when he doesn't know what it's like to pay a bill. You are doing him (and yourself) no favours.,

I think 10 minutes would be a fair request. 20 is too much if it's driving up your electric/gas bills.

Just suggest a shorter shower.

Turning the shower on and off is insane.

So how are you washing out the razor between each swipe then. Or do you turn the shower one for a tiny bit each time.

I think you need to leave the boy alone. I never knew some people cut down their shower time or even switched it off between soap/shampooing. That just sounds pure misery. It’s water/elec it’s not that bloody expensive/rare resource. There’s being tight with money and there’s ridiculous.

We have navy showers in my house. Water on. Get wet. Water off. Soap up. Water on and rinse.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navy_shower

We should all be using as little water as possible. Not only is it a precious resource itself, but considerable resources are used to make it clean and useable. It's not just the cost of your bill.

Do people turn off the shower when they're washing their hair?

um so do I. But I don’t take 20 minutes.
tell him to keep it to 10.

YANBU, OP. We’ve had to speak to our teenagers (19 and 16) about water consumption as our water bills are horrendous. The difference was very noticeable when DD was home from uni over the summer, for example. She likes long showers and at least a weekly soak in a full bath.😂

Sit him down and show him the bills. We have monthly bills that show the consumption and cost, it’ll surprise him.

That sounds very wasteful, I just stand outside in the rain.

Unless you live in a drought stricken area, YABU.

yes

I thought the Navy just put 12 seamen in a shark cage and dipped them in the ocean to preserve fresh water for drinking and cooking?

I don’t, but then I pay my own way. I’m not in there for 20 minutes though, less than half that I reckon.

I am very conscious of the planet and bills but water is one thing I don’t skimp on.

I enjoy long showers and I have them extremely hot.

Anything else I will happily cut back on but not them, as they are good for my mental and physical health.

I personally don’t restrict my DDs showers either.

I think it depends on what he’s like in other aspects (if he’s generally a good kid then I’d allow him this) and whether you can afford it or not (perhaps ask him to make a contribution towards bills if he’s working).

Unless you are in the navy then this sort of military living is completely unnecessary (and pretty controlling too).

No because the water rests on the heating element so that when you turn it back on, it’s really hot! Just shower quickly. But I have a water meter and I’m concerned about the environment. Though I don’t know why I bother when people round here regularly pressure wash their driveways and cars with drinking quality water.