Is 18 too old to get grounded?

[Anonymous]

My son is 18 but it's his senior year in high school. Yesterday I found out through speaking with the school that my son has been skipping multiple days of school. I also recently found weed and alcohol bottles in his room. I know's hes legally an adult, but he still lives under my roof, and he should abide my rules which include attending school, no smoking, and no drinking. His father says he's too old to be grounded, but he's also the more lenient parent. I think he should be grounded for a month, which is the same way I would punish my other 2 children (14, and 11). Any suggestions or thoughts?

[Anonymous]

My senior will be 18 in a few months so I've thought about this. Plus because I've found alcohol and we know he smokes marijuana. I've decided as long as he's in HS and still living under my roof he will still be punished for not following the rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My senior will be 18 in a few months so I've thought about this. Plus because I've found alcohol and we know he smokes marijuana. I've decided as long as he's in HS and still living under my roof he will still be punished for not following the rules.

+1

Once they are self-sufficient they can follow their own rules.

[Anonymous]

No, he's not too old.

[Anonymous]

If you are supporting him, no, definitely not.

Also, make him get a job. He sounds like a spoiled brat.

[Anonymous]

Where did he get the $$ for alcohol and weed?

[Anonymous]

Mine will be 18 in a couple of months and I plan to have a long talk about expectations beforehand. 18 may be the age of majority, but there will still be rules if he's living in my house and I'm paying the freight. Some things, like curfews, I may back off on. Other things, like drugs in my house, I won't. I'm not sure where I stand on skipping school. He may choose to do so and is legally able to sign himself out. I guess I'm also free to stop providing things like a car, insurance and a phone.

[Anonymous]

He's not too old. But, I doubt I'd ground mine. Instead, I would take away all use of the car and all access to money except that which he earns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's not too old. But, I doubt I'd ground mine. Instead, I would take away all use of the car and all access to money except that which he earns.

That's basically grounding them.

[Anonymous]

You can call it whatever you want, but in my house it's my rules. There will be no financial support if my kids skip school to drink and smoke.

[Anonymous]

I have adult kids. Your son is 18. You have failed him. And there isn’t much you can do at this point. Harsh, but true.

[Anonymous]

Nope. Not if he's living at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's not too old. But, I doubt I'd ground mine. Instead, I would take away all use of the car and all access to money except that which he earns.

That's basically grounding them.

Eh, I wouldn't care if my kids rode their bikes or walked places or used their own money. But, as a PP said, I'm not intending to support that sort of lifestyle.

[Anonymous]

Is he using your car to drive to/from school? If so, take the car away and tell him he has to use the bus or you will personally pick him up/drop him off everyday.

What is he planning to do after HS? Is he hoping to go to college, get a job, go to trade school, join the military?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have adult kids. Your son is 18. You have failed him. And there isn’t much you can do at this point. Harsh, but true.

I smoked, drank, and skipped class when I was a teenager too. I now have 2 degrees and make 6 figures. You sound ridiculous.