Dealing with teenagers is an exercise in frustration. They are never wrong and they think you ask them to do stuff specifically to ruin their lives.
If I ask them to do something they always have a reason why they can't do it then but will do it at some nebulous time called 'later'. When I remind them 'later' that they haven't done the task they tell me that it is because I don't trust them that it doesn't get done. When I insist that they get it done 'now' I am 'nagging' them and that's why they don't want to do it. In this case, it isn't even a chore that benefits the family like mowing the lawn or doing laundry. It is simply picking up after themselves.
This all happens while they have the television turned on, typing away in Instant Messenger on their own laptop, and either texting or speaking on their mobile phone. And, they don't see the incongruity in their actions at all.
So...I have an extra laptop and mobile phone in my office pending the completion of chores and an upgrade in attitude because quite simply, I've had enough.
Posted by bbarton at August 13, 2007 12:41 PMDitto that. I've got my hands full with a 9 and a 12yr old. HELP!
Posted by: Jim on August 14, 2007 11:37 PMI feel your pain. At one time, I had four teenagers living in my house (19, 18, 14, 13). I used to joke that I was going to just leave and let them take over. Or, you could just ship them off to boot camp. That works wonders too.
Posted by: Therese on August 15, 2007 02:01 PMAll this sounds familiar - in certain respects - even if I brought up kids before the days of laptops and mobiles. (House phone and wargaming were quite bad enough! xx
Posted by: grannypgrannyp on August 22, 2007 01:01 PM
I do like the concept of 'an upgrade in attitude'.
I think I'll start applying to my pre-teens, if you haven't copyrighted it Bob!
Posted by: Antipodéesse on August 13, 2007 05:58 PM