Nice People 13: Nice Save

SingleSue

Doozergirl wrote: »

I phoned doozer (in London) to ask him to block DS's phone signal.

He is 14. He may as well be an alien for the amount of sense I can talk into him.

My best friend complains about her step-son (of sorts). He stayed with us at the weekend before returning to boarding school. Of course, he was everything he should be and not my son, which is what she described.

I could take my own advice and just understanding that his brain isn't fully developed and 'thinking of other people' of one's own accord doesn't exist yet, but it's hard in the face of the reality of a sullen teen who tells me that ruining a doughnut by licking it and biting across it after being told to share it, is doing me and his sister a favour.

I was so shocked. He was never spiteful as a smaller child. Of course, he thinks I've 'gone mental' because he ate a cake. No. No. No.

Oh the joys of male teenage hormones....

I have had the joys of this sort of behaviour (although not doughnut related) from the two older boys at a similar age, youngest is just starting to go through the moody stage. Thought I had got away with it with him until I remembered he is always behind the curve, he had the terrible twos at the age of 5/6!

Spirit_2

silvercar wrote: »

How do you block a phone?

We used to switch off the wifi when necessary. Doesn't work now that phones have reasonable internet.

I put dd's phone on the hearth and stomped on it. it was beyond use

lostinrates

Doozer,

Of course you cannot do anything physical. Fwiw, your son is also very good looking and I dare say quite popular. If so is he's going to not realise his limits for some years as he is on his acendence as his sports go well, school is good and girls swoon.

Even if you could do something physical is it really the way forward? Maybe its a good time to sit down and talk about requirements from him and from you to him, some commitment at home. Phone is one thing. But presumably there is a computer? A tv/DVD player. Transport to friends? Indeed, the freedom to go to friends or have friends over which can be reminded if school work isn't done or poor behaviour starts.

Boredom probably is a huge part, especially with such an active boy. Maybe next long holiday you guys should give him some more physical chores, he's certainly capable, and old enough to contribute in quite a meaningful way not as a punishment but just as part of the household.

Fwiw, he represented you here well.

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

You didn't leave doughnuts lying around though! One bag of doughnuts on the countertop and it could've been a whole different story

I have been known to throw chocolate or cake into the testosterone pit of builders after pretty much identical incidents. However I trust them all entirely with my goodies. But I rarely have any mid week and if I do I offer them about.

purch

chewmylegoff wrote: »

How many baby friends do you need?

None.

Anyway, as the father you will be a complete irrelevance in the "Baby Friends" world.

Doozergirl

Thanks, ladies. He was angelic this morning, up and ready before me. Teenagers are like Jekyll and Hyde characters.


This is amusing.
http://londonist.com/2015/01/things-you-could-buy-for-the-price-of-a-flat-in-penge.php

The flat they use is in the same terrace we owned in. You can see my kitchen and bedroom in the garden shot and my statue is just about visible in the mess that used to be a lovely display of rhodedendrons in the middle of my side of the garden.
L
We had a two bed. Sold it for £140k in 2003. Desert island, anyone?

Spirit_2

A quiet day here. had an hour of rehab from 9-10 then slept until 12.

Dog groomer has just collected Ben and he is off for a much needed bath and hair cut. I have to respond to a couple of friends about lunch and outings but no other requirements of me. Considering having lunch and then another sleep. It doesn't even feel decadent just idle.

Generali

We're at St Pancras about to get on the Eurostar to Paris. Sorry we couldn't get together this time, maybe next.

silvercar

Generali wrote: »

We're at St Pancras about to get on the Eurostar to Paris. Sorry we couldn't get together this time, maybe next.

Is this the slow route back to Oz?

Generali

silvercar wrote: »

Is this the slow route back to Oz?

Yes. We could fly premium economy from Abu Dhabi to Aus by flying via Paris. We're staying a couple of nights in Paris and then on to Aus.