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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

I have done something mean and wicked

152 replies

ScreamEagle · 09/10/2005 16:10

Have nagged her for months and months about putting her dirty washing in the laundry basket. Have threatened lots of times not to do it if it isn't in there....

So her school uniform is still in a heap on her bedroom floor where she chucked it on Friday evening along with at least 8 pairs of dirty knickers and socks and numerous other items of clothing.

Thing is, come tomorrow morning she will have no school uniform which is clean. Shall I remind her so I can wash it in time? Or, (as I am inclined to do) leave it and let her wear dirty, crumpled uniform to school?

OP posts:
moondog · 09/10/2005 16:26

LEAVE IT!!
You are doing her a favour actually. Remind yourself of that.
(I'm surprised you're weakening QE.I always admire the tight ship that you run,by the sound of things! Approve wholeheartedly!)

spacenstein · 09/10/2005 16:27

actually i thought teens liked wearing skanky unwashed clothes..she might not see it as a punishment

teeavee · 09/10/2005 16:27

DON'T GIVE IN!!!!
Teenagers want to be treated like individuals in their own right, like adults, right? So, that's exactly what you're doing. You'll be helping her much more by not doing averything for her. Too much nagging just makes her switch off - this will cut throgh the crap and get through to her in half the time

moondog · 09/10/2005 16:28

Lol hmb at the line where 'parents have to listen to you telling them how cool you are.

Seem to recall doing a bit of that.....just a teeny bit...

SenoraBruja · 09/10/2005 16:28

so it's been worn for 2 days? not actually that direty then.

I meant something from last year anyway - a clean proper set of uniform would defeat the object.

SoupDragon · 09/10/2005 16:29

I'd remind her by saying "I've just put the last of the washing on but didn't notice any of your school uniform there. If you've forgotten to put in in the basket, you'll have to do it yourself now." and ;leave it at that. No nagging, no constant reminders, just an off-the-cuff remark.

spacenstein · 09/10/2005 16:30

im afraid im a bit mean, cos my kids have jobs to do around the house, they have to do their bit when there are 4 of them, my elder 2 have to sort the clean washing out so i think they are programmed to put their dirty stuff in the wash basket!

teeavee · 09/10/2005 16:31

she's already done that before though, soup.

Original poster
ScreamEagle · 09/10/2005 16:32

Can I just remind you all that even though some of the uniform on the floor has only been worn for 2 days, this is the same teenager I posted about having a slightly whiffy BO problem!

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 09/10/2005 16:33

Oh, I know, teeavee, but I would feel my role as a mother has been fulfilled by making that statement - also I would not have given in by doing the washing for her because it wasn't in the laundry bin.

katierocket · 09/10/2005 16:34

screameagle - i can't remember how old she is? (apologies if you've said already)

Original poster
ScreamEagle · 09/10/2005 16:36

She is 14 next month.

Soupy - I have done that before many, mnay times.

My older boys aged 11 and 9 put their uniform in the wash without fail every Friday. She is a lazy, disorganised, messy mare!

OP posts:
happymerryberries · 09/10/2005 16:36

At 14 it is her call.

SoupDragon · 09/10/2005 16:38

I guess you've answered your own question then, SE :O

katierocket · 09/10/2005 16:38

leave it. definitely.

I was a nightmare as a teenager and most of the time I lived in my own little bubble. Not having a clean uniform would be the only way it would have got through to me. Another thought though - what time does she get up and what time does she have to leave? i.e. would there be time when she's realised herself in the morning, to put it on a 'refresh' cycle and then tumble dry? our refresh cycle is 18 mins then would it be about another 20 to dry it?

jessicaandbumpsmummy · 09/10/2005 16:40

i was the same at that age.... my mum also use to say that if washing was not downstairs by lunchtime saturday it was tough luck.

Numerous times i went to school on a monday with slightly crumpled smelly clothes - i soon learnt though.

Strange considering now EVERYTHING gets washed after 1 wear in my house now!!!

Original poster
ScreamEagle · 09/10/2005 16:45

Soupy - I guess I have - just wanted to put it to the MN jury!

I have just been upstairs and picked through the pile to see exactly what is there. Are you ready for this?

Skirts - 1
pj's - 1
school blouses - 2
jumpers - 1
bath towels - 3
shirts - 1
knickers - 12
jeans - 2
school trousers - 2
socks - lost count!

OMG - she really is gross!

OP posts:
jessicaandbumpsmummy · 09/10/2005 16:46

typical teenagers room!

Original poster
ScreamEagle · 09/10/2005 16:47

By comparison though, both older ds's rooms are clean, tidy and all clothes away in the wardrobes. I am sure they can't be related you know!

OP posts:
MrsSpoon · 09/10/2005 16:47

Sounds like my bedroom, just now!

scaryspacecadet · 09/10/2005 16:49

i think girls can be worse than boys sometimes, ds's room is always quite tidy, dd has a nasty habit of leaving plates etc in her room too.
sounds like your dd could be wearing grufty underwear tomorrow too!

philippat · 09/10/2005 16:52

lordy, I was doing all my own laundry at 14 (my mum
kept turning it pink... on purpose I suspect). LEAVE IT.

scaryspacecadet · 09/10/2005 16:53

i was living with my dad at 14 and was doing his and my step mums washing!, if i hadnt have done it, no one would!

TheRtHonBaronessEnidOBE · 09/10/2005 16:54

dd2 puts her clothes in the wash basket and she is 2

nutcackle · 09/10/2005 16:57

I agree with Fairydust. I'd wash the uniform and one pair of knickers but nothing else.

Then when she comes home make her change out her uniform and into whatvere clothes she has left even if it's her pj's.