So my nearly 15 year old is always coming home with a new phrase. His most recent one is "I'm done. I'm just done." This is his way of saying he's over it. Now this normally wouldn't bother me...we all get "done" with stuff at some point or another. The problem is when he says this phrase to his father and I when he is asked to do something like chores. That is a problem for me. My husband has great issue with respect-as a former military man respect and disrespect is HUGE.
My teenager rides a fine line with respect and disrespect quite often. Recently a recent tantrum and blatant disrespect occurred with this phrase. It just so happened it occurred while our neighbor down the street was standing in the yard. Now my neighbor is an older gentleman who definitely follows the 'spare the rod' mentality. So in short my husband was further embarrassed (and disrespected) when the neighbor looked at him and said 'you aren't going to let him get away with that?' question from the neighbor. Later as my husband and I are catching up he tells me about the tantrum and that he took the boys phone away for a couple of days (the phone is a lifeline). I agreed with the punishment but preferred to have a chat with my son. I let a couple days go by and took the opportunity when it was just him and I to talk to him about the whole "so done" phrase and remind him that this type of talk was not okay when we were being serious with him about chores and grades and he should save it for his friends...because after all we are his parents and NOT his friends and there is a time and place for him to goof off with us.
I don't know why it is that parents feel the need to be their kids friend. That isn't my job while you are growing up. My job as your parent is to make sure you stay in line, graduate from high school and eventually become a productive member of society. I am here to tell you when you screw up and kick your tail back into line. We can be friends when you are an adult and pay your own way through life.
