@Sophi-ROI talked it over with hubby, and he thinks it's a great idea. I'm actually in a bit of a holding pattern at the moment, parent teacher interviews are tomorrow, so I'm hoping to kind of mention it as a solution when his teachers bring up the poor grades/lack of homework. He may or may not listen if they think it's something that could work, and it doesn't look as if I'm pressuring him. ... View more

thanks @HippyMum we tried the gadgets out of room thing when he first got them, but we're also dealing with anger issues from him so it became a case of picking our battles and insisting he put them in the lounge wasn't worth the damage to the house or his possessions. ... View more

@tazinessthanks for the movie recommendation, I'm going to suggest it to our school for a screening, looks like something that would be useful for everyone!   We actually find it tough doing stuff together, because hubby works a rotating roster of night shifts, so finding a balance of allowing him to sleep and activities suitable across huge age ranges isn't easy (as much as he loves her, the teen would not be impressed with sitting through the Peppa Pig movie for our toddler!) We fall back on UNO a lot! ... View more

I think you're right @Ngaio-RO I remember coming home from school watching TV straight after school as a kid, and I don't let my kids do that now (but we also had to watch dad's shows all evening, whereas my kids are lucky enough to have their own space with Foxtel, and have free run of kids channels)   I might suggest that he sets up an ideal week, and slots his shows into it, sounds like it could be a way that we both "get what we want", and with school holidays coming up its the perfect opportunity to try it out without too much pressure from either of us. ... View more

Hi @Carebear75   I have a 15 year old boy, I totally understand your frustration at the moment. I have found that backing off has really helped my boy's responses, and when I looked at why that was working I realised that I was unintentionally asking more of him than I thought I was. I have also found that asking once and ignoring "no" has made a difference to how I'm feeling (I'm learning that a lot of my kids responses are a direct reflection of how I'm feeling in that moment)   Is it possible for you to take a step back from her and "recalibrate" (for us, it's kind of "ignoring" him, getting out for a walk with the dogs, not engaging with him [hard to do sometimes])? ... View more

1. How old are your kids and what is one thing they've done recently that made you laugh? 19, 15, 10, 7 & 3. Their concern over a dead fish recently was sweet, and the arguements that ensue over naming rights of each new fish (there's about 50 in our tank) leaves me chuckling, because they'll never remember them all! 2. Parenting can be really stressful - how do you try to keep those stress levels down? Until recently, I was letting this slip off the radar when money was tight and husband worked odd hours, but I'm trying to make it more of a priority this year. I make time every month to meet up with my book club friends, and try to go to a craft night every other month. And walking the dogs has become a great outlet for me, which I didn't expect.   3. What led you to ReachOut Parents today? volunteer forum training... and hopefully some new ideas to support my teen   4. Whats your top tip for parents whose kids are about to enter teenage years? Try to keep them talking. I wish I'd mastered this with my 15yo before we got this far.   5. Whats the best thing about weekends? not having to make lunchs! ... View more

haha! I wish my teen said half these things, if it's not a grunt, it's a swear! ... View more