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Teenagers

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

Original poster

HELP! Teen has broken self isolation 😡

49 replies

Bennypeny · 22/03/2020 10:02

I need some help on what to do about my 14yr old who has broken his self isolation. He got sent home from school for coughing and yesterday he refused to stay in and went out. He was told if he went out his SIM card would be cancelled and the Wi-fi password changed but he still went out, I couldn’t physically stop him going out. I don’t know what to do 😢😢😢😢

OP posts:
pigoons · 22/03/2020 10:07

Show him some of the footage from italy and people dying - that should sort him out.

NuffSaidSam · 22/03/2020 10:09

Cancel his SIM card and change the wi-fi password if that's what you've threatened (although maybe dial the threats back a bit in future because that's quite a punishment!).

Explain to him what's happening and why he needs to stay in.

Try and get in touch with the parents of his friends and explain to them why their children should not be near your DS.

Parents of teens need to stick together. They can only meet up if all the parents fail to keep their kids in.

Longwhiskers14 · 22/03/2020 10:13

Ground him with every punishment you can think of, then make him read this. I'm know it's the Daily Fail, but it's the most powerful, horrendous account I've read so far from a UK doctor who has spent the past week helplessly watching people gasp their dying breaths.

Peanut55 · 22/03/2020 10:17

As others said, show him footage of Italy.

Absolutely cancel his sim card and change the WiFi password, however you do run the risk of him being even more frustrated at home without access to internet.

Set him some tasks to do today and each day for the next week. If he does them, he gets WiFi in the evening.

He should be doing school work from next week anyway.

Lock the front door and back door. I would. If he can't take this seriously then make it serious.

Original poster
Bennypeny · 22/03/2020 10:18

I don’t know why he is being such an idiot, he watches the news, has seen all the videos, I have show him everything about social distancing but it just fell on deaf ears. His step dad was the one who came up with the punishment as he said he was being totally disrespectful and not abiding by the rules. I will be texting all the parents I know today. I really don’t know how I am going to keep him in the house other than locking all the doors and windows 😫😫😫😫

OP posts:
WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo · 22/03/2020 10:20

Lock the gormless little prat out. A couple of nights sleeping in the shed should take the wind out of his sails.

Longwhiskers14 · 22/03/2020 10:20

Lock the doors, then. Show him how serious you are. He's 14, you're the parent. Take charge!

OneOfTheGrundys · 22/03/2020 10:21

Tell him there’s a 13 year old boy (my DS) whose dad WILL die if he catches the virus.
As far as I’m concerned all those breaking self isolation for no good reason have the blood of the elderly and vulnerable on their hands. Your DS included.
Sorry. I know you are doing your best. My anger isn’t directed at you. Brew

HackAttack · 22/03/2020 10:23

In all seriousness I'd report him missing to the police they'll pick him up and have a bloody stern word

Peanut55 · 22/03/2020 10:25

Don't call the police. It isn't a police matter and our services are stretched as it is.

Lock him in. It isn't a joke, it's a worldwide pandemic.

JudgeRindersMinder · 22/03/2020 10:29

If locking doors and windows is what you need to do, then you do it

notapizzaeater · 22/03/2020 10:29

Lock him in, it wont hurt him !

Notwiththeseknees · 22/03/2020 10:42

I don't understand when you say he is 14 and you can't stop him? Why can't you stop him? Never mind SIM cards & Wi-fi, if I had a child of that age behaving so disrespectfully, they would be moving into the shed pretty sharpish with basic food left outside the door. They are either a part of the household which means living with the rules & responsibilities or they aren't and fend for themselves. Sounds harsh, but there is absolutely no way a kid of mine would be behaving like that in the house & home I provide.

Mlou32 · 22/03/2020 10:50

You know why he is being such an idiot - because he doesn't give a shit. He is putting his enjoyment over the safety of others. At 14, he is more than old enough to understand the implications of this, even if he chooses to act oblivious.

In regards to what to do - you've already laid out the punishment. You need to see it through. No point saying that this is the punishment if you do this then not bother carrying it out. It's your job as a responsible parent to teach him life lessons.

Jinx2020 · 22/03/2020 10:50

Hi OP

He simply has to stay in - you need to have the mindset that you are boss, you will keep him in. No other option.

Please keep him in!

Mlou32 · 22/03/2020 10:51

I'd also lock him out if he goes out. Don't let him back in the house. He is quite willing to put other peoples lives at risk so he should be willing to deal with the consequences.

Original poster
Bennypeny · 22/03/2020 10:51

Thanks all 👍🏼👍🏼

OP posts:
HackAttack · 22/03/2020 10:52

Peanut55 police in my area recommend this Hmm

Splodgetastic · 22/03/2020 10:57

Lock him in. If there is no lock buy one.

Splodgetastic · 22/03/2020 10:57

And don’t give him any nice food. Just bread and water.

crustycrab · 22/03/2020 11:02

Lock him in!

lunar1 · 22/03/2020 11:09

The s he back yet? Have you followed through with the punishments?

lunar1 · 22/03/2020 11:09

That should have said 'is he'

NuffSaidSam · 22/03/2020 11:31

Op he has been a dick, but he is 14. I would try a slightly gentler method (follow through with the phone and WiFi) before you resort to making him homeless or locking him in a shed with bread and water!!

I think emotions are running a tad too high for some people.

PeterPanGoesWrong · 22/03/2020 11:33

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