Burning item

[JLBMUM]

Hi, I'm looking for some help and advice for my 14-year-old son.

Last night my husband and I were sitting watching television when we smelt a burning smell. On searching each room in the house we could find no evidence of anything. However, when I went into my sons room, I discovered he was liberally spraying deodorant around. When I questioned him he told me he was hot and sweaty even though he was about to get in the shower! My suspicions were aroused and I asked him if he had been doing anything which he denied.I was pretty sure he wasn't telling the truth and gave him several opportunities to come clean but he assured me that he hadn't done anything. A short while later I went into his bedroom and whilst he was in there I discovered a charred breadstick in his bin! I asked him about it and he didn't seem to have a reason why he did it. I told him I was more upset about the fact he had blatantly lied to me which is very out of character for him. I told him how dangerous it was and that we had been worried that something was burning. I'm completely flummoxed. We've given him a LONG tech ban and I'm hoping he will talk to me about it. I intend I sit down and try to talk about in a day or so when he's had time to think. He's always had a fascination about burning things and I'm really worried!

I wouldn't worry too much. There's loads of daft suggestions online which kids think might be fun or cool to try, without thinking of all the possible consequences. Try googling 'burning loaf'- i bet theres some daft info!! He probably just went a bit blank at being caught out lying, when he knew he was in for a 'you shouldnt play with fire' talk! A fascination with fire isn't that unusual. My 12yo says he gets his pyromania from my mother who likes fireworks and messing with her open fire- but admittedly DS hasn't set fire to bread yet! Did try kitchen roll just to see how quickly it would burn though- I have the scorch mark on the carpet as a reminder😫
As long as he's not out in the streets setting light to bins and cars, I reckon you're ok. Maybe get him lighting the bonfire to get it out his system, or go to some of these science fairs where they get to mess about lighting different substances to see how differently they burn. Always a good reminder of what could happen if it's the wrong substance!