Teen’s dirty laundry

[Anonymous]

I have a DD who is otherwise very responsible, great at school, cheerful, kind and helpful. But her laundry situation is awful. Natural consequences don't work because she just doesn't care if the pile gets out of hand and she has to rummage through it. Like a lot of teens it just doesn't bother her at all. I have decided that the laundry pile is not the hill I'm willing to die on. Every once in a while when I can't stand it anymore I will nag her to do the laundry, but otherwise I decided this is not a priority.

[Anonymous]

Wow, am I the only one who does my kids’ laundry? I enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, am I the only one who does my kids’ laundry? I enjoy it.

PP here - my mom did my laundry grueling up, as long as I kept my room clean. My brother’s room was a mess, so he did his own. We both easily transitioned to doing everything ourselves in college.

[Anonymous]

^ growing up

[Anonymous]

My mom coddled my brother (but not his sisters!) re: chores until his 20s. Don’t do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, am I the only one who does my kids’ laundry? I enjoy it.

I do too! I've enjoyed it over the 19 years I've had kids, from the time I was folding their little onesies to now.

[Anonymous]

Take his phone away until it's done -- you'll be surprised at how quickly he gets it done.

[Anonymous]

It is always a surprise for me to learn that lots of you do individual laundry. How does this work? Multiple mini loads (assuming you separate whites)? Isn’t this wasteful? Maybe it is because I come from another country but we have always done our laundry together: whites, darks, towels and bedsheets, each one in a different load. We rotate who does it, my kids do their share, and then each one is responsible to fold and put away their own clothes.

[Anonymous]

OP did he wash his crap yet?

If not take the cell phone for the whole weekend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t do laundry for DD 11. I have seen her wearing the same sweatpants for three weeks. I still don’t do laundry for her.

You are a pathetic “parent.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is always a surprise for me to learn that lots of you do individual laundry. How does this work? Multiple mini loads (assuming you separate whites)? Isn’t this wasteful? Maybe it is because I come from another country but we have always done our laundry together: whites, darks, towels and bedsheets, each one in a different load. We rotate who does it, my kids do their share, and then each one is responsible to fold and put away their own clothes.

It’s a pain to sort isn’t it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP did he wash his crap yet?

If not take the cell phone for the whole weekend.

No, the consequence is wearing dirty clothes. Mine often pulls a filthy hoodie off the floor and puts it on since he can’t find anything else. He is starting to care a little more about how he looks so when it gets to the point that he’s asking if I can smell him, he usually does laundry in a day or two.

Don’t give in. They do it eventually.

[Anonymous]

You can suggest that he do his laundry on the same day every week - that's what adults (ok, me) do - laundry day is Sunday - all damn day! But he can decide that Wednesday are his day for all you care.

but if he doesn't want to choose a day or he forgets on his day or whatever.... DROP THE ROPE.

this is how they learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is always a surprise for me to learn that lots of you do individual laundry. How does this work? Multiple mini loads (assuming you separate whites)? Isn’t this wasteful? Maybe it is because I come from another country but we have always done our laundry together: whites, darks, towels and bedsheets, each one in a different load. We rotate who does it, my kids do their share, and then each one is responsible to fold and put away their own clothes.

No one sorts anything in my house. I’m the above poster and my kids throw all of theirs in together, clothes of all colors and even towels, when they do their laundry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, am I the only one who does my kids’ laundry? I enjoy it.

I do too! I've enjoyed it over the 19 years I've had kids, from the time I was folding their little onesies to now.

Same! I've taught them how to use the washer and dryer, so they know how to use it, I just don't make them do it.