Why am I so tired of people saying that they can't get their teenagers to do household chores?

Question

Do these folks live in a different wourld than I do?

At 16, I was not asked to do something, I was told to do it and it was done out of respect for my parents. When I became a father my kid's did the things that they were told to do, too.

What's the big deal about getting teenagers to do what they are told?

Answer 1

There are a lot of single mothers out there and women are usually soft on their kids.
Theres also the kind of parent who wants to be their kid's friend.

Answer 2

Ever notice how you can go into a grocery store on any given day and you WILL find at least one child throwing a fit?

The world has changed, people have completely thrown away the idea of telling their children what to do, they ask, which gives the kids the idea they don't have to do what their asked. I knew when I was growing up if I refused to do something I was asked to I would get my *** kicked, if not literally, the certainly figuratively.

With all the new laws and fear over children getting abused, parents are afraid to be parents (I took my daughter to the doctor last week and got interrogated as to where she got the bruises on her knees, I'm sorry, shes two, when you take a two year old to the park with her two older cousins, shes bound to get a few bumps or bruises.) Its a sad world when abuse has gotten so bad that every parent will at least once be accused of abuse, over a few bruises on the knees.

By the time a kid is a teenager they've gotten used to the "I don't have to do what you tell me" thing, because they know they can threaten to call social services on you, and that a parent will give in for fear of the kid being taken away (one of my friends kids did this to her, she told him to call, so he did, and was told that he was lucky to live in the home he had after an investigation). Not to mention, several young parents I know would rather send the kids off to relatives every weekend where they will be coddled, so the parents can go party, than stay home and teach good value's.

The world sucks any more.

Answer 3

There definitely is less respect these days which I think is caused by television, bad role models, lack of communication and misinformation. I think the reason teenagers don't do chores and help out due to the fact they are 'told' to do it, as they see their parents as a person trying to control their freedom. It seems in this day and age it is 'normal' for teenagers to rebel against their parents. This will not change until we change the way we approach the family dynamics. Most families that I have observed do not talk to one another about important issues (most children are afraid to ask their parents questions), therefore the strong bond between families of past is no longer present, which is why the respect that parents once received from their children is gone.

Answer 4

Well after reading all those responses I feel like an old fart (I'm 40).

Today's parents are wimpy, self centered and scared that if they SNEEZE in the wrong direction someone is gonna call Child Services. They swear that they are not going to spank their child because they got their butts beat for whatever reason and if Jr has a phone (or whatever stupid modern gadget is popular at the moment) then it's ok for Rajeem to have one too. They laugh off the way their children dress because the kid is just 'expressing' himself (never mind that 8 yr old Marla looks like she's a two-bit hooker).
When it's more important to be your child's drinking/smoking/party buddy then it is to ride shotgun on their butts, you have NO BUSINESS being a parent.

These kids are haveing babies at 12 and 13 yrs old and pawning them off on Mommy and Daddy to raise because the parent isn't being a PARENT. Hello people having babies when you are 12 or 13 is sending us back to the Midlle Ages but at least they were MARRIED....no child should be having SEX at that age.

Everyone shivers in their collective boots because the Goverment and Child Services claims that if you OVER discipline or spank then your child will turn into a Murderer or Abuser.

If the paddle and strap and grounding and extra chores were good enough for our ForeFathers then they are good enough for me...bring back Corpral Punishment to the School System and maybe our kids can get some REAL learning done and actually PASS.

The parent says JUMP and the kids say 'how high'. To all those who are 'afraid' their children are going to be 'damaged' if they aren't their child's friend --GET OVER IT and start taking responsibility for the life you brought into this world.

FYI mine is 9 and knows how to do laundry, wash dishes, clean her room (without being asked) and care for the pets and her cousin who is the same age is cooking 3 course meals for her family (with NO help).

Answer 5

Simple; those parents prefer to be friends with thier kids rather than parents...and they're lazy. There WAS no question when I had to do something; I just did it. There IS no big deal to it, just a matter of follow through and a willingness to spend some time BEING a parent rather than a friend and not worrying about being popular with your kids.

Answer 6

This generation of parenting isn't what it used to be when I was a kid and I'm only 31. I remember when I was 9 years old I was already washing dishes and by 11 doing my own laundry. I ALWAYS did chores. My lifestyle was,,,,get home from school, do chores, homework, THEN I could go outside and once the streetlights came on, your as.s. better be home! I have a 13 year old and I have to crack the whip on her as.s. She's lazy as hell! But she gets it done : )

Answer 7

Yes they live in a different world. Getting kids to help at home should start when they R very young. Unfortunately today's parents waited too long.

Answer 8

In todays world parents are obsessed with spoiling their kids. In many families kids do what they want, talk to parents like they are one of their friends and parents allow it.

DON'T BLAME THE KIDS! They will only do what the parent allows them to get away with, Parenting is at an all time low in the U.S.; kids are too spoiled and its the adults that created this mess.

Answer 9

People have so many other things taking up their time they dont instill respect in their children while they're young. They aren't setting the guidelines in place early enough.

When all of a sudden they're big enough to do stuff they dont listen to them because. They dont see why they should.

Answer 10

I am tired of hearing it too. Even worse is hearing something like, "I wanted to go the store but little Davey (who is 5) wouldn't hear of it." I tell you, he would "hear" of it if he were my kid. Like I try to tell people, if you don't have control of your child at age 5, what hope do you have when he is 15.

I agree with you completely.