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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:
Original poster
ScreamEagle · 09/10/2005 20:03

There's def something going on with dd at the mo though. All the others have done their chores - hers tonight is sweep the floor. She has been reminded to do it ten minutes ago. So she came into the kitchen, sat at the table, read her mag and has now disappeared upstairs without doing it.

I have just called up the stairs to ask what she is doing. Answer: "nothing."

Ho hum.

OP posts:
ThomBat · 09/10/2005 20:06

She'll nev er learn if you don't do what you're doing right now. I don't think you're being harsh, i think it's a case of being cruel to be kind. It must be so hard but you're doing the right thing. I just hope she's devestated tomorrow, not in a cruel way but I just hope that that she's mortified rather than think so what' and not care about putting on a crumpled, dirty uniform. If she does what then? I think not reacting would work best maybe? Just a totally expressionless, 'you look nice dear, have a good day'???

hhhhenleyonthames · 09/10/2005 20:30

I got really pissed off with being given huge mountains of washing to do last hting on a Sunday evening, that now I make two of my teenagers do their own. They use the machine on Wednesdays and Sundays and if they blow it, tough luck. It seems to be working, in so far as the washing is getting done, my basket is (imperceptably) lighter and the moaning and fighting about piles of dirty clothes has decreased.

Perhaps worth a try?

LadyBerryofStrawStreet · 09/10/2005 20:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ScreamEagle · 09/10/2005 20:54

I did wonder that Mrs Posh Strwberry-thingy. But I don';t seriously think so.

The last couple of weekends she has been out with her mates to the park and to town and always when she has spent time with them her head ends up in the clouds. She also has a don't care kind of attitude when she comes back.

She is in one of these moods at the minute. What she needs I think is a swift kick up the *rse but I am fed up of nagging at her. I have done the gentle reminders - in fact I think up to now I have been more than reasonable.

Thombat - very good points - I have a sneaky feeling she won't care and tbh I'm not sure what to do then.

OP posts:
waterfalls · 09/10/2005 20:57

Itotally agree with not washing her uniform, but I would be worried about her being bullied if she goes to school in a dirty creased uniform, or worried she skips school to save the embarrasment.

koo · 09/10/2005 20:59

Message withdrawn

mears · 09/10/2005 21:07

Do as I do with my teenagers.

Scream upstairs - GET YOUR AR*E DOWN HERE

Then go on about how sick to the back teeth you are of doing it all. Get her to pick up her clothes and frogmarch her to the washing machine and tell her to get it loaded.

Also tell her to bloody well do her chores or she is grounded with no pocket money.

I find that when I have a meltdown they all put a bit more effort into things for a couple of days

misdee · 09/10/2005 21:18

has she bought her clothes down yet?

gingerbear · 09/10/2005 21:24

I am glad mears isn't my mum My room would be spotless and all the washing done.
I am going to clear the kitchen up right now......

mears · 09/10/2005 21:26

I wish they did the same gingerbear

Things only get done here when I have a shouting fit.

kath4kids · 09/10/2005 21:45

Screameagle are you sure you don't live in my house. I keep threatening i will do this with my dd 13 she too has to walk over her clothes, i've never seen anything like it, but so far i have always given in so will be watching your thread very carefully to see if it works or not.

I've done the screaming matches, even now they've gone to bed and left shoes in middle of room, tomatoe sauce still out, i don't know why i waste the energy in screaming, shouting, pleading actually.

expatinscotland · 09/10/2005 21:49

My mum was the world's biggest nag. Anything to get out of listening to her yarn ON and ON about stuff. And once she got going, she'd bring up stuff from years before.

Baronessbeetroot · 09/10/2005 21:49

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Original poster
ScreamEagle · 09/10/2005 22:26

Result!! She has brought a pile of washing down to the machine and put it on.

Trouble is, she's put it on a 60 degree cycle which means by the time it's finished, it will probably fit her 2 year old brother.

You should have seen me and dh trying to suppress giggles as she stropped back up to bed just now. Oh, you have to laugh!

OP posts:
Baronessbeetroot · 09/10/2005 22:27

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Original poster
ScreamEagle · 09/10/2005 22:36

It's gone too far into the cycle.

Never mind at least she tried which is what matters isn't it?

Bless.

OP posts:
JanH · 09/10/2005 22:41

After I had one of these run-ins with DS1 he took a binbag full of stuff (and I mean full) to the laundrette and put the lot in on a hot wash. Hm. After that he appreciated home laundry service much more.

katierocket · 10/10/2005 09:36

did it shrink then screameagle?

trefusis · 10/10/2005 09:42

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Freckle · 10/10/2005 10:01

I'm willing to bet that you didn't have a silent birth with dd, did you? So, there you have it. Clearly screaming during labour has affected her and you are now suffering the consequences. All your fault - as no doubt she has told you .

yoyo · 10/10/2005 10:01

Well done for holding out. So did she have to squeeze herserlf into it this morning?

batters · 10/10/2005 10:50

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fuzzywuzzy · 10/10/2005 11:34

This thread is so funny, and it's made the homepage....

Caligula · 10/10/2005 11:40

I'm desperate to hear if it's shrunk!