V. is SSOOOO 15 years old.
His room has crime scene tape on the door. It should be toxic dump tape. There ARE places where you can see the floor, but not many. Empty soda cans abound on every flat surface. Clothes are strewn around. It looks like a twister has gone through and hefted and randomly deposited it's contents. He would play World of Warcraft 24/7 if we would let him.
His main chore is to wash the dishes. Originally we set the time to wash dishes at 7:00, but in conceession to his logical and well thought out reasoning, we removed the time constraints. As long as he has them done when we get up in the morning, it's OK.
If he doesnt, we will get him up when we get up (5:00) and make him do them then. Today was a late start, so he was looking forward to sleeping in. Nope. Rousted him out of his lair and made him do them at 5:00. Much grumbling.
Last night he declared that when he turns 16 he is going to be Emancipated, because he thinks all of the laws meant to protect him are BS. He can't work full time while in school, technically any wages he earns are still legally mine. (Since when did he get a job and earn any money?) He has to answer to me.
I give him as much freedom as I think is apropriate, which is a lot. But it is never enough.
I need to sit him down and explain a few things to him.
Yes, it is his computer, but until he starts paying part of the bill, the electricity is mine. I won't take away his computer, because that is his, but I WILL unplug it.
All that food he consumes? No longer free. The bedroom, the bed, the furniture? All mine until he pays for them.
BWA-HA-HA-HA (evil laugh) This is going to be fun.
10 comments:
I would also remind him that, unless he cleans those soda cans up pronto, he will cover the pest services bill.
If you need help with the 'list', let me know.
I run meetings like this every day - with my employees!
Renn: Know the feeling well. I spent 15 years as a manager. I also spent a couple of years as a tech/therapist in a locked psyciatric facility, which prepared me well for management (and parenthood)
I've had to have the same conversation with my son as well. Of course, he knows everything he needs to know already right? I can't wait until he really has to start paying his own way in life, I think he'll be in for a shock. ;-)
Michael: Ignorance is bliss.
I'm laughing. I shouldn't be, but I am. My youngest is 24, eldest 31. I remember this all so well...
Sounds to me like you have it all under control.
Dare I say I would play WoW 24/7 if I could, too, and I'm 50? ;)
I think it was great when my eldest son (who we had the most trouble with) came to me when he was about 25 and said, "You know, I wish I would have realized how smart you and Dad were when I lived at home...and geez...all I had was my phone bill to pay!" I laugh at that one still.
Sue: I don'r play WOW, for two reasons. First of all, I would get hooked and be playing it all night just like V. Second: You can't beat it. Can't really see getting that involved in a game you can't win. That's what life is for. I am currently playing "Heroes of Might and Magic, Hammers of Fate"
It's great when they realize we have been there and done that before them, and we DO know something after all. I have a son who is 34 and a daughter who is 23, so I have been through this a couple of times before.
Sometimes I see my nieces and nephews going through this crap, and I thank every god that ever existed that I will never have to be 15 again.
How can people who think they are so smart act so dumb?
NCP: 15 is a hard age. On one hand in some societies you would be consicered an adult, but here you are still a kid.
I had this exact conversation with my son... and he's 18. We have rules and guidelines... if they aren't followed we take back what is ours... Electricity is one of them. :)
I have turned off the modem a few times to get my point across.
~d~ Taking away their electrical is the most effective way we have of controlling their behavior.
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