Parents, does you teen answer your phone call or text or do they blow you off?

What do you tell these kids when they ignore you when your trying to get a hold of them? If I call, it's because I've got something important to say. Then I see a post on FB instead. Man is that annoying...

Take their phone away. You are paying for it. They don't appreciate it. Take it away.
When their attitude changes ... give it back.

reply to post by FlyersFan


na na, he's 18 and on his own with his gf. Mom bought him the phone.

reply to post by FlySolo


"Son. You have 5 minutes to reply to this message or you are truly on your own. No inheritance, no monthly checks, no deposits on your debit card."

Love Dad.

(worked for me!)

message them through facebook then

Well, when a child is 18, they are truly an adult. It is then up to you to have already forged a healthy relationship with them or work on bonding one.

However, the very fact alone that an 18 year old adult is having their cell phone paid for by their parents speaks to me of a child that is clearly not ready to be on their own yet, and needs to learn a hard lesson or two when they simply cannot be bothered to at least politely return a phone call from the people who actually pay for the cell phone service itself.

Start by shutting off the service.

Follow up with shutting off any other "financial help" they are getting.

I wouldn't cross any bridges involving "inheritances" or the like...it's a rough time for both the parent and newly-minted adult to wade through enough.

If it were my daughter....I'd simply say "Oh, you cannot be bothered to respond within a polite time frame to my call? Well, I simply need to have the service halted until you remember your manners. And frankly, if it continues to occur, well, then maybe I just stop affording you the use of a cell phone altogether?"

Bottom line IMHO, don't make threats. Make promises.

I don't have teens, I have 30 y olds. They don't answer my calls either. Parents are annoying I guess. Until they need us for something. My daughters nickname is Aneeda. She a need a this, a need a that. The only time she calls is when she needs something.

Nope! She ignores me but as soon as she wants something I get a text or phone call. Funny how that works. It drives me insane. I hear you!

reply to post by haven123


I don't operate that way. I chase no one. I like to pee in a circle if you know what I mean.

reply to post by FlySolo


Get used to it. My youngest is about to turn 23, and he still 'ignores' a lot of my efforts.

It'll be okay.
Just let you know you love 'em. They'll come round.

I have it a little backwards . At twenty seven I actually support my forty six year old mother and two little brother aged eight and seven. Its been a unreal situation in which I hope ends abruptly.

Oh I have an easy solution to that. (grin)


You explain that you understand the new generation loves texting and facebooking and whatever elseing but actually communicating in meaningful depth. Helpfully add that every generation has their favorites for such things. That's true, right?

This is the point to note that use of the voice telephone was the compromise to the 'older crowd' and if simple voice communication is too troublesome, then you can each stick to generation-tested methods. You can look in the text world when you need something ...and kiddo can send snail mail, along with awaiting the response that same way, when something is needed in reverse.

Or...that voice thing could just be stuck to as what isn't such a bad compromise after all, eh?


....See if that helps?

(Hops away laughing)

reply to post by antisocial86


Oh wow! I can understand when you are older but that's harsh

I don't have a problem.

Generally they get right back to me. Two out of the three truly care and the last considers the likely repercussions.

I sent a text to my son two days ago saying 'could use some help with my new laptop'

He answered 30 minutes later by walking in the front door. I always get a hug too.

P

He will occasionally try to get ahold of you, when he does just send it to voicemail. He will call back in two minutes. Answer that and say ( sucks when people don't answer their phone doesn't it?) maybe he will get the hint.

reply to post by pheonix358


You have a nice boy.
Mine always hugs, kisses, says I love you and brings me beautiful flowers from a florist on valentines day and Mother's Day. That's the extent of it though.

Any other time he drops by, which is rare, he just lifts up his shirt and admires himself in every mirror. Boasting about his muscles. When I ask to use his muscles, he's not helpful. I've asked over a month ago for him to pick up a desk for me and bring it to my house. He has a pickup truck and loads of friends. I'm disabled and still he can't help me. My youngest daughter is helpful but the other daughter Aneeda is the worst of them all.

reply to post by violet


I am a guy so not so much (thankfully) in the kisses and flower department.

I think we also need to respect the fact that they have lives as well and answering parents while at a party is probably not cool.

I tried to raise them with the idea that there are repercussions for their actions (or inaction as the case may be)

P

Wrabbit2000
Oh I have an easy solution to that. (grin)


You explain that you understand the new generation loves texting and facebooking and whatever elseing but actually communicating in meaningful depth. Helpfully add that every generation has their favorites for such things. That's true, right?

This is the point to note that use of the voice telephone was the compromise to the 'older crowd' and if simple voice communication is too troublesome, then you can each stick to generation-tested methods. You can look in the text world when you need something ...and kiddo can send snail mail, along with awaiting the response that same way, when something is needed in reverse.

Or...that voice thing could just be stuck to as what isn't such a bad compromise after all, eh?


....See if that helps?

(Hops away laughing)

'nuff said!

I don't have teens, I have 30 y olds. They don't answer my calls either. Parents are annoying I guess. Until they need us for something. My daughters nickname is Aneeda. She a need a this, a need a that. The only time she calls is when she needs something.

reply to post by violet


Isn't that so true! They take their parents for granted until their back is against the wall. The more you show how much you care about them or voice your concerns, the more they complain and tell you to mind your own business. I really think every generation is getting worse and worse. I always got a chuckle out of Bill Cosby's line to his son, "I brought you into this world I can take you out."

I have learned to like texting, not so much facebook.

Find something else to do with your time, frisbee golf maybe? fishing?

Stop calling them, and soon they will be calling you.