How do you deal with a teenager that stays in the shower for 20 to 30 min. every day? We've asked nicely and eventually threatened him that we will bodily drag him out. He is stubborn and takes his time for any chore we ask him to do.
2007-02-21 14:53:14 · 22 answers · asked by diciple 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
What my husband would do when his son was in the shower too long, simply turn off the water main. No water, no more shower.
2007-02-21 14:56:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This was ME at 14 all the way up to when I was 21.
I felt that the longer I showered, the better I smelled. When in fact, I found out, it really doesn't matter how long I shower as long as I clean my body and my hair. It doesn't have to be a ritualistic cleansing.
Maybe he should get a lecture about how showering longer doesn't mean he'll be cleaner. I'm sure he's concerned about his hygiene at his age when he's trying to attract girls by smelling nice. It's important to him.
Also, maybe showering is not all he's doing in the shower...I don't know how you would feel about approaching him on the "naughty" subject. I'm sure you get my meaning.
Get a clock for him, a timer, I'm sure he'd like to not take so long too...but it becomes a routine, like it did for me, and no matter how hard I tried to cut down what I did, I always ended up being in the shower for 30 - 45 minutes.
Now, I'm 26 and I take 10 minute showers. Having a timer really helped. Also, knowing that as much soap as I put over my body over and over again, my body isn't getting any more clean with each rinse and repeat...the first time does it.
2007-02-21 15:07:53 · answer #2 · answered by Querida 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just let him shower, at least he is so concerned about his hygiene. He probably has a girlfriend in school and just likes to be clean. Nothing wrong with wanting to be clean all the time.
If he goes more than 30 minutes, then knock on the door and tell him he has a few minutes more. Let him enjoy his shower!
Now with the chores, it takes him longer to do them because he is not motivated. Now if he gets an allowance, maybe that will motivate him to do the chores.
2007-02-21 15:32:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well drastic times call for drastic measures it seems..... but, try this first..... get a timer and set the thing, buy 2, one for the inside of the bathroom and one for you to hear, set down the rules and stick to them..... and if that does not work after about 3 days, it is time for the drastic measure of !!!! taking the door OFF the hing, and when he takes a shower just stand the door in the frame, there for leaving the door wide open for you or dad to intrude upon his private time and flushing the pot giving him a dose of his own stuborness....... rofl, I know it is mean and all that , but just think of the earths water you will be saving .... this door hinge business will also work in other areas, such has taking his bd room door of the hinge until he learns a little respect, then you can show him respect by putting the hinges back on the door........ God bless
2007-02-21 15:01:49 · answer #4 · answered by Annie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Teenagers are like that. 20-30 minutes isn't really that long though! That's an average time length for a shower. You said it's a boy.. he's most likely mastrbating in there. I'm a teenager and ALL of my friends who are boys, and my brothers, do that in the shower. It's just a teenage boy thing. So let him do his thing.
2007-02-21 14:56:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
for the people saying let him shower for that long they don't understand that heating prices are sky rocketing. Every time you use hot water the tank has to heat back up. I understand you plight. Try turning the thermostat on the water heater down and enforce time limits.
As far as chores it is time to teach him responsibility. If we took our precious time doing our job we would be fired. Obviously you cant fire your son so I would cut back on the amount of allowance and explain to him why. If he is more efficient next time his pay will go back up.
2007-02-21 15:46:53 · answer #6 · answered by momof3 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Warn him that you are turning off the water in 10 minutes. Set a timer and keep your word. He will understand that you mean it the first time it happens. Do it every day till it sinks in. Have him pay part of the water bill too.
2007-02-21 15:00:36 · answer #7 · answered by sexmagnet 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
20 min is alot i take about a 10 min shower tell him b/c the water bill was so expensive this month we'll have to cut back on your cell phone
2007-02-21 14:58:32 · answer #8 · answered by yukonSLT3 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Be glad that he isn't so grungy he won't take a shower. And set an alarm in the bathroom which will be so annoying that he'll have to get out in ten minutes.
2007-02-21 15:07:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i think thats normal for a teenager, my son takes an hour in shower and takes forever to do his chores but i can't complain he stays out of trouble and does good in school. we can't be nagging our children for every little thing they do or we feel that is wrong. if they are good in general than let it be. one doesn't want them to rebel.
2007-02-21 15:29:42 · answer #10 · answered by fallen_angel 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋