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Teenagers

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

How much teenage apathy is normal?

7 replies

z0mbiethread · 06/04/2022 08:53

DS is 17 and always been incredibly laid back. Recently though I’ve started to wonder if it’s becoming more than that. He seems so unenthusiastic about everything. He still going out with friends, going to parties etc. Just had his school report which was very good (although he I never see him working, it’s all done at school). But it is so frustrating trying to get him to do anything else. Even going out to practice driving seems like a massive chore to him. Anything to do with his future like thinking about university etc he’s completely unwilling to discuss. He’s doing everything he needs to be doing to do well at school but absolutely nothing else beyond that. I’m rambling but his lack of drive is hard to describe. So I’m wondering what is normal at this age. And how I can motivate him without going mad.

OP posts:
CatsArePeople · 06/04/2022 12:08

He's doing fine, what else you want from him?

Jenjen21 · 06/04/2022 12:34

I think boys especially can be lazy unless it's something they want to do. I also think in generally it's very hard for a lot of teens to know what they want to do with their life, so any pushing from family re uni etc can be met with resistance.

Tbh as long as the school are happy and he's content enough I wouldn't mind!

Friends and parties are so important to them at this age, he probably cba to do driving lessons etc even if you know it'll be really good for him!

He sounds like he's doing great already, the rest will come when he is ready

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 06/04/2022 12:41

DS would sleep up to 2pm on a non school day, then have a half hour shower and go out with his friends and then be up all night on the play station. He barely saw daylight. I barely saw him.
He was the same until he left home after university, now he has a job, cats, a partner and responsibility.
I'm pretty sure most teenagers are the same.
17 is a particularly idle age.

Branleuse · 06/04/2022 13:04

It sounds like hes doing everything he needs to. Count your blessings

NrlySp · 06/04/2022 13:09

My teen is like this about life after Schools. I think he can’t picture what it is like. Plus it’s a bit frightening. When they find their passion they will be ok- it just needs encouraging a bit.

Doingmybest12 · 06/04/2022 13:14

It sounds like he is doing well at the moment. It is a frustrating stage to live with though. Just to say though I think people who appear laid back often aren't feeling like that in side and avoid avoid extra demands and pressure when they can, not in a way that causes issues as they do what is needed when required but sit back when they can . Also sometimes what others want you to do seems pointless like early planning for things that prolongs the task and can be done just as well at the last minute. It might not be relevant but I think thus is the case for me.

Wondergirl100 · 06/04/2022 14:31

I think he sounds high achieving for a teen! He is working hard at school and going out to parties etc, not just stuck in his room - let him mooch about a bit!

I think if he isn't ready to talk about uni - then maybe just accept he will be ready at some point in the future? He doesn't have to go straight away when leaving school if it doesn't suit him.

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