AIBU not to go chase him out of his headphone-mancave?

[LifeIsGoodish]

16yo ds disappears into his bedroom and his sound-cancelling headphones for hours at a time at every opportunity.

In our house the 'cook' calls for everyone to come and eat, and you're expected to stop what you're doing and come to the table. We might give a 5min warning, or call people a bit earlier than necessary so that they can clear/lay the table.

Ds obviously cannot hear us call.

He knows that we generally start eating some time between 6.30 and 7.00, and has agreed to come down and find out around that time. If he doesn't, AIBU not to go upstairs and talk to him directly, but to just go ahead with the meal without him?

Utterly reasonable, IMO!

I've had this problem with my teenagers - and got sick of yelling up the stairs for them.

I got sick of yelling at mine, now I send a text!

I'd go and get him, just so that you actually get some time together round the table while he's still willing.

I've no issues with my teens doing their thing and wanting their space but it's nice to see them for meals now and then.

Wouldn't work for me as it's the DCs joint chore to set the table for dinner, so not coming down to do it isn't on, but if it works for you then go for it. I think I'd also eventually get a bit peeved with them wandering down to eat when they felt like it rather than with everyone else if they didn't remember to come down and check.

When dh gets home in time to for us all to eat together, he switches the router off at 7pm. Does the trick!

MrsDimitri, if he's not down in time to help with laying etc, then he gets to do the dishes after.

Send him an IM

He ignores you - return the favour. A couple of nights.unfed should do the trick.

I just message mine o come down if they can't hear me

I knock on the door. Most of us need more exercise, so not that much a problem to go knock.

No internet after 7pm! No wonder he makes the most of it while he can.
I yell a 5 minute warning and make sure I get a response. Otherwise I will trot upstairs, I really don't mind.

Who said no internet after 7pm? Switching the router off gets him out of his room, it goes back on once he's in the kitchen.

I tried the messaging, but that only works if he's on his iPad. He's usually on the PC.

I've always been pretty chilled about it. I can imagine if he's engrossed in something he won't notice the time. I yell, then ask whoever else is trotting down to give him a knock on the way past, or just pop up myself. No biggie. However, we do have a tiny house so not far to trot! Would be more annoying in a bigger house I bet.

I go knock, or send the sibling up. I keep telling them not to yell at me from one side of the house to the other, so I can't really do the same!

Surely headphones on for hours will lead to hearing issues. I'd stop that! Headphones off at a certain time?

I get DH to shout - noise cancelling headphones don't seem to cancel him out :o

What about 4G? Can't even turn off the router here!