Oh dear, the novelty seems to have worn off ...

[soldlisa04]

Our 16 year old very reluctantly spent the night in our van on the drive Fri night last week as we had visitors staying and their 10 and 8 year old boys wanted to experience sleeping in a caravan. We aired the van all week, made sure it was lovely and warm and put the younger boys to bed about 10.30 pm. Then the fun began! It took me an hour to persuade my 16 year old that it was time to get ready for bed approaching midnight and could the chain surgically attaching him to his XBox LIve be severed for the night? Then it was raining. My fault. Then he took himself and his bedding out to the van in said rain - forgot the caravan key and was locked out. My fault. On way back to house to ring doorbell to obtain said caravan door key he dropped his bedding in the wet. My fault. On gaining entry to the van he couldn't remember how to turn the light off so on it stayed all night. My fault. He forgot his pillow and had to use his wet sleeping bag. My fault. His bedding was wet. My fault. It was raining all night and he couldn't sleep. My fault. I could go on but you get the picture.
Needless to say he was very much like an adder in the morning, very tired and grumpy and not at all looking forward to the 3 separate weeks holidays we have booked this year. I rather think that after the week in July I will have an inordinate amount of trouble getting him to even set foot in the caravan but then, he will be getting on for 17 so should be old enough to leave alone for weekends ....
On the plus side, the two younger boys thoroughly enjoyed the experience and now to the chagrin of their parents, would like them to buy a caravan for them to sleep in!
Kids! You gotta love them! (And yes, I did manage to bite my tongue and hold in the laughter when I saw Luke stood on the doorstep in the pouring rain with wet bedding ... but only just!).

 

[Oldsalt49]

We had a similar experience with our kids as they became closer to being 18 year olds. It was the catalyst for us buying a 2 berth and we have not looked back since. They are now parents themselves, so we have got a 4 berth so we can get some enjoyment from our grandchildren.

 

[soldlisa04]

Hey Oldsalt my husband John served as a submariner on HMS Tireless and Superb as a P.O. Chef and loved it! He also was on board some ships but preferred being a submariner! He was in the Navy for 23 years and retired at 40. (Well before I met and married him!).
We are now looking to take young nephews and nieces away for the odd weekend as they seem to enjoy it more than grumpy teens!

 

[Parksy]

Ahh, the terrible teens when everything is your fault and what was once a sweet, polite, helpful child which was often regarded by friends and acquaintances as 'a credit to you' morphs into the morose sulky Presence In It's Room which has to be fed regularly and only communicates in monosyllabic grunts.
This will continue for a few years untill one day everything changes, when your slightly less sullen offspring meets the member of the opposite gender of the species on whom to bestow the kindness and affection once reserved exclusivelly for yourself in the distant past.
The only trouble is that they want your caravan again ,but not necessarily with you in it when this happens.

 

[soldlisa04]

In my caravan?????????? I don't think so lol! Heaven forbid. He's not that bad but it's GCSE time so the exam stress is also getting to him so I seem to bear the brunt of the grumpiness but, bless him, he always apologises at some point for being grumpy so can't argue with that.

 

[Gybe]

Your sons an idiot,just tell him to 'man up' !

Modern day whimpy teenage pansies really wind me up, they need some home truths. My daughters (30 and 32 now) were throwing themselves face first absailing down mountains and camping rough on dartmoor and doing the Ten Tors as teens.

 

[soldlisa04]

I wouldn't go as far as to call him an idiot ... A* grade in English Language GCSE in Year 10 and predicted A* and A grades in most GCSE subjects! He is very adventurous but obviously wasn't going to enjoy his night in the van on the drive lol!

 

[Oldsalt49]

Hey Oldsalt my husband John served as a submariner on HMS Tireless and Superb as a P.O. Chef and loved it! He also was on board some ships but preferred being a submariner! He was in the Navy for 23 years and retired at 40. (Well before I met and married him!).
We are now looking to take young nephews and nieces away for the odd weekend as they seem to enjoy it more than grumpy teens!

Tell John I was a chef also, never made it to being a PO or Killick, bit of a rebel. I left in 76 and became an operator in power stations. I have not touched a "Bonzer" or "Hobart" since then and only cook when forced to. I remember the Superb from my time in, but the Tireless had not been born.

 

[soldlisa04]

I will do Oldsalt - he left in '98 and I met him in 2003 and married him in 2008. I think he was on the Tireless refit as we have a commemorative clock in our utility. He still cooks (why do you think I married him

and works as a Chef Manager in a small care home for people of all ages with head injuries/disabilities - five mins up the road from us. He loves it. I could write a book based on his stories that I've heard countless times, they still make me laugh! We have a 'Harry Hobart' here at my Primary School and he sometimes comes and gazes at it!!!!

 

[Gybe]

al

I wouldn't go as far as to call him an idiot ... A* grade in English Language GCSE in Year 10 and predicted A* and A grades in most GCSE subjects! He is very adventurous but obviously wasn't going to enjoy his night in the van on the drive lol!

'Idiot' as in bahavioural idiot, you said

Then it was raining. My fault. Then he took himself and his bedding out to the van in said rain - forgot the caravan key and was locked out. My fault. On way back to house to ring doorbell to obtain said caravan door key he dropped his bedding in the wet. My fault. On gaining entry to the van he couldn't remember how to turn the light off so on it stayed all night. My fault. He forgot his pillow and had to use his wet sleeping bag. My fault. His bedding was wet. My fault. It was raining all night and he couldn't sleep. My fault. I could go on but you get the picture.

My cousins twelve and a half year old son who is the youngest in his year got A and B level marks on A level test papers last October. A* star GCSE is about the same as a D O level a few years ago say many education and industry experts. Exams aren't a real judge of how smart the youth of today is.
Old school parent here, the boy and plenty of others his age needs a wake up call ;-)

 

[Parksy]

It's best not to cast aspersions where other peoples children are concerned Gybe.
I was an old school parent myself once but it applied to my own sons and not anybody elses, so please remember that it's all too easy to upset or offend when using an internet forum and don't criticise other peoples children.
The youngsters of today will get a big enough wake up call when they enter the world of work and have to forego their own pensions so that they can pay for ours, and due to the economic situation and lack of employment there are plenty of youngsters who were at school not too long ago who wake up very early every morning - in Afghanistan

 

[emmerson]

Gybe, I'll pass on your message to my 16 year old Grandson, who got seven A* and one B in October ( taken early when he was only 15), and now another A* in maths last week.
Oh, and perhaps I ought to point out that he's 6ft 4", weighs around 13 stone, and took his karate black belt one year early because he was so good and plays Rugby in the front row.Shall I send him round so that you can tell him yourself?

 

[DeliDave_]

Probably far from an idiot,just 16 and not going to admit mistakes and someone has to suffer.A few years time it will all be different was with my kids anyway .And well said Parksy about idiots,good posting.

 

[Gybe]

Point taken Parksy. Many parents get rather precious when their little darlings behaviour is questioned, I don't think I'm the only caravanner or camper who gets a bit wound up by stroppy teens and have elso exprienced them on sites. I'd keep their tantrums to myself as a parent.
Surely the real wake up call is that most employers expect staff to be attentive, respectfull, prompt for start of day and in delivering their tasks. Any UK youngster who wakes up in Afghanistan will have joined the forces as a matter of personal choice. Sergeant Major, Corporal or Officer will not take kindly to slow response to a request, whining about sleeping conditions, weather, sand, cold, heat, noise or anything else!

 

[Parksy]

It's not a case of any parent being 'rather precious when their little darlings behaviour is questioned' Gybe, it's actually a case of showing good manners and respect for fellow forum users. To boldly and unequivocally inform a person who you have never met and know absolutely nothing about that their 16 year old son is 'an idiot' who should 'man up' is abusive and directly in breach of forum etiquette.
As a forum moderator I've tried not to delete comments left right and center or to be too heavy handed, and in this thread I've dropped a few gentle hints about the direction that the comments were headed.
Unfortunately the penny appears not to have dropped for you, Gybe. You can at times be constructive and helpful as a member of this forum but for reasons best known to yourself you appear to lack some self awareness when it comes to winding people up or causing upset, and you blithely continue to tread where others have the good manners not to go.
I'd keep your tantrums and abusive observations to yourself if you wish to avoid another enforced abscence from our midst.

 

[Gagakev]

My fault. I could go on but you get the picture.

Kids! You gotta love them! (And yes, I did manage to bite my tongue and hold in the laughter when I saw Luke stood on the doorstep in the pouring rain with wet bedding ... but only just!).

Should have had the camera at the ready soldlisa04 -----then put it on here
Amusing real life situation, thanks for sharing, put a smile on my face imagining it all

And I wouldnt have been able to bite my tongue

 

[ProfAlGoogle]

It's not a case of any parent being 'rather precious when their little darlings behaviour is questioned' Gybe, it's actually a case of showing good manners and respect for fellow forum users. To boldly and unequivocally inform a person who you have never met and know absolutely nothing about that their 16 year old son is 'an idiot' who should 'man up' is abusive and directly in breach of forum etiquette.
As a forum moderator I've tried not to delete comments left right and center or to be too heavy handed, and in this thread I've dropped a few gentle hints about the direction that the comments were headed.
Unfortunately the penny appears not to have dropped for you, Gybe. You can at times be constructive and helpful as a member of this forum but for reasons best known to yourself you appear to lack some self awareness when it comes to winding people up or causing upset, and you blithely continue to tread where others have the good manners not to go.
I'd keep your tantrums and abusive observations to yourself if you wish to avoid another enforced abscence from our midst.

 

[ProfAlGoogle]

It's not a case of any parent being 'rather precious when their little darlings behaviour is questioned' Gybe, it's actually a case of showing good manners and respect for fellow forum users. To boldly and unequivocally inform a person who you have never met and know absolutely nothing about that their 16 year old son is 'an idiot' who should 'man up' is abusive and directly in breach of forum etiquette.
As a forum moderator I've tried not to delete comments left right and center or to be too heavy handed, and in this thread I've dropped a few gentle hints about the direction that the comments were headed.
Unfortunately the penny appears not to have dropped for you, Gybe. You can at times be constructive and helpful as a member of this forum but for reasons best known to yourself you appear to lack some self awareness when it comes to winding people up or causing upset, and you blithely continue to tread where others have the good manners not to go.
I'd keep your tantrums and abusive observations to yourself if you wish to avoid another enforced abscence from our midst.

Well said Parksy, and 10 out of 10 for soldlisa04 for showing such restraint, had a comment like that been aimed at one of my sons..............enough said.

 

[kopite]

Good post Lisa maybe some members missed their teenage years!

 

[Mel]

Well said Parksy, and 10 out of 10 for soldlisa04 for showing such restraint, had a comment like that been aimed at one of my sons..............enough said.[/quote]
Can I second that. Well done Lisa for maintaining good humour in the face of unnecessary unpleasant comment.
mel

 

[Gybe]

I should probaly have put my comment in a different way. If soldlisa04 needs an apology she has one. I thought it was cardinal sin in the eyes of todays youth for parents to make their behaviour known widely.
We're involved with some youth work and training on some of our activities and I still haven't fully recovered from a shoulder injury I got when I rescued a 16 year old who was more interested in his Nintendo than listening to a safety briefing, he nearly drowned along with his mother who tried to help him. I also saved another smart attitude teen lad whilst rafting and our Austrian lead who had numerous stitches and cracked ribs due to the boy. Lisa's post hit a raw edge

Emmerson. I'd be very pleased to meet your little lad. As a kid (6' 5" aged 14 and two weeks) I did Judo, black belt 6th dan, lifting 100kg + bench press at 15.Moved on to Karate then Aikido (never back chat an instructor, obey and always show respect) and Tai Chi for fitness with age and I still do a bit of kick boxing and boxercise with my 6 foot daughter fitness and self defense instructor. I stopped playing rugby and training kids when I was 55 and football two years ago after a shin injury and the need to fund a new pair of size 16 boots. Social worker son works with homeless disadvantaged youths and addicts, he's a very gentle calm pro, ex London Irish player and Uni footy international, when his "clients" remark on his size and height he laughs and answers "you should meet my old man".
" first driver I've met whose pushed a Discovery off the road on his own" Landrover Assistance man to his control.

Sorry again Lisa. I'm sure your son has good days as well.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Lisa
Fantastic self restraint. He'll come to appreciate that in later life.
As teenagers I and my brother did everything to encourage our parents to go on holiday without us. They did and in turn we had some wild parties in their house. They were not amused when they returned and found out!!

Better the "devil" you can see than you can't

 

[soldlisa04]

Thanks for your apology Gybe and it is accepted. I and my Husband and family couldn't be more proud of Luke if we tried. I wrote that with my tongue firmly lodged in my cheek! Oh and Luke would, I am sure, kill me if he knew I had written about him! (Mother's prerogative). Lisa.

 

[soldlisa04]

Dusty - I remember holding parties whilst my parents were away ... (I stopped going with them at 14 due to no electricity in a tent and couldn't crimp my hair ... they joys of the late '80's!). Luckily Luke is very sensible and hasn't yet been left and he also goes to his Dads every other weekend so I hope that a 'secret' party would not occur. He is very proud of our home and I really don't think he would want kids in messing everything up ... but I wouldn't want to put that theory to the test! Luckily he is not into Facebook or any kind of social media so the word wouldn't spread as far and wide as it might. Hopefully his sensible head would prevail over his party head! I still remember the shame of having to apologise to the neighbours for the noise/mess of the party ....

 

[emmerson]

I should probaly have put my comment in a different way. If soldlisa04 needs an apology she has one. I thought it was cardinal sin in the eyes of todays youth for parents to make their behaviour known widely.
We're involved with some youth work and training on some of our activities and I still haven't fully recovered from a shoulder injury I got when I rescued a 16 year old who was more interested in his Nintendo than listening to a safety briefing, he nearly drowned along with his mother who tried to help him. I also saved another smart attitude teen lad whilst rafting and our Austrian lead who had numerous stitches and cracked ribs due to the boy. Lisa's post hit a raw edge

Emmerson. I'd be very pleased to meet your little lad. As a kid (6' 5" aged 14 and two weeks) I did Judo, black belt 6th dan, lifting 100kg + bench press at 15.Moved on to Karate then Aikido (never back chat an instructor, obey and always show respect) and Tai Chi for fitness with age and I still do a bit of kick boxing and boxercise with my 6 foot daughter fitness and self defense instructor. I stopped playing rugby and training kids when I was 55 and football two years ago after a shin injury and the need to fund a new pair of size 16 boots. Social worker son works with homeless disadvantaged youths and addicts, he's a very gentle calm pro, ex London Irish player and Uni footy international, when his "clients" remark on his size and height he laughs and answers "you should meet my old man".
" first driver I've met whose pushed a Discovery off the road on his own" Landrover Assistance man to his control.

Sorry again Lisa. I'm sure your son has good days as well.

And I can pee further up the wall than you can! Na na na na na!!!!