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Step-parenting

Teenager and washing

43 replies

Jan45 · 25/07/2013 10:12

I posted a while back re my stepson, he's nearly 18, him and his dad moved in with me 7 months ago and from day one the ss doesn't appear to wash, ie, has no personal hygiene whatsoever. I can't stand having someone live with me who stinks so for the past 7 months I've tried everything, ie, explaining to him the importance of keeping clean, the reasons why and also why I expect it - all to no avail, the showering starts and then soon stops, I have to remind him every week to take a shower so you're lucky if he washes once a week.

Came home last night and as usual he's in his bed (doesn't appear to be making much progress looking for a job). When he got up I lost it a bit and brought up the non washing again, he just stands there and says he doesn't know - I don't think I've ever came across a teenager as lazy as this - I know it's normal for teenage boys not to take so much care over their appearance but I've been asking then telling him for 7 months now and I'd just had enough last night.

I've now told him unless he takes the responsibility for showering I will take away his internet connection, I just don't know what else to do, it's like a losing battle that I aint prepared to lose. I don't ask anything of him, his dad gives me money that more than covers their keep plus I am not his mum so feel uncomfortable even having to raise this issue, I told his Dad it's his job and I should not be having to step in all the time. It's difficult, what would you have done in my position, am I doing the right thing here?

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purpleroses · 25/07/2013 10:21

He doesn't wash, hasn't got a job, and goes to bed in the middle of the day. Do you think maybe he could be depressed? Dosen't sound healthy to me. Boys in their early teens are often smelly and lacking any sense of hygene - for a younger teen I'd suggest making it a routine, not feeding them dinnder til they're showered, etc - but by 18 they ought to have got that sussed really. Does he see his mum? If not, it doesn't sound like anyone - you, your DP or his mum - is really feeling able to address the problem.

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Tuckshop · 25/07/2013 10:27

Could he be depressed? Where is his mum, does he see her?

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Ragwort · 25/07/2013 10:30

What is his dad doing about it?

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claraschu · 25/07/2013 10:33

Sounds like the bad hygiene is a symptom of a larger problem. I would be talking to his dad about all of this.

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Jan45 · 25/07/2013 10:38

His mum lives in another country and neglected him when he was there, hence the reason he came to us. When he went to school, the whole time he was there the teachers said he was work shy, very lazy and had switched off from learning, it was a real struggle, to the point we broke up cos I couldn't cope with the constant issues. That was 7 years ago now.

I honestly don't think he is depressed, I think he is just plain lazy, you have to ask him to do everything, ie, can you put your dirty clothes in the washing (which usually consits of one item), can you shower please, can you change your bed, it's like living with a 5 year old. With regards to his current situation, I wouldn't stand for it if he was mine but my partner seems to think it's ok that he sleeps all day, goes out in the evening and does basically fuck all with his life.

He's a lovely kid, he really is and I don't want to now start trying to fix him without sounding uncaring, right now I just want him to show respect for himself and for me as it's my home so it's really just about the showering I want sorted, the rest is up to him, his dad and his mum.

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Ragwort · 25/07/2013 10:40

I repeat, how is his father dealing with this issue?

Have you been 'dating' for the previous seven years since you broke up or have you re-started the relationship? Does he resent the fact that his father has moved in with you, were they living alone before? Did he shower regularly before moving in with you?

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Jan45 · 25/07/2013 10:49

Mmmm, dad seems to be occupied with his own life, I know, it's not good, I don't like his lack of parenting but when I've tried to tell him it's ended up in an argument, we've been together 11 years and have never broke up but we had to live apart for a while as I just couldn't cope with the weekly issues at school and other stuff.

I've learnt over the years not to get involved so I've tried to do that and still do but the non washing is actually driving me insane, the shower room is right next to his and he can spend hours in his room but yet still won't step under the shower cubicle. The internet connection seems the only way I can now get through to him, I've tried to be nice for 7 months now and don't feel I have any other choice, my partner either doesn't see what I see or is basically not that interested in what his son is doing.

Regardless of the above myself and ss get on really well, I like him very much and I feel he thinks the same of me.

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Tuckshop · 25/07/2013 10:56

So his mum neglected him and isn't around, and his Dad doesn't bother parenting him either. Sounds like its a call for attention, or a complete lack if self worth. I'm not sure you can do much if his parents aren't, other than encourage him gently and give him some love. It might change things slowly for him but I wouldn't expect him to just snap out if it.

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Jan45 · 25/07/2013 11:02

Yeah that's about it, sad innit.

I've been encouraging him gently and giving him kindness for 7 months, that hasn't worked, the showering starts and a week later it's back to nothing again. Cutting off his internet connection makes me feel bad but I don't think I have any other choice. Again, without sounding uncaring, I'm not prepared to try and fix the problems that his two parents created.

He's the happiest kid I know, is probably 2 years mentally younger than his age which I take into consideration but I honestly can't live with anyone who doesn't wash, it's abhorent to me.

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purpleroses · 25/07/2013 11:14

Do you cook his evening meal? If so, could you just tell him that he needs to be showered every day before dinner? Then remind him about half an hour before dinner's ready, and yes switch of the wifi at that point too if necessary. If you try and get him to shower at the same time of day each day, it shoudl eventually become a habit.

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theredhen · 25/07/2013 11:23

Yes my DS at age 15 does need reminding every day but we also have a routine and he knows when he should be having a shower and I wouldn't hesitate in pulling the plug on the wifi if he didn't go when reminded - I have done this when he has dragged his heels.

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Jan45 · 25/07/2013 11:26

That's what I tried last time, no shower, no dinner, it didn't work, he'd either be out at dinner time or I would so it was difficult keeping to that.

Yes I just want him to get into the habit of showering, I've told him it doesn't have to be every day but at least every 2nd day, all to no avail. He has his internet connection running from the lounge to his room so it's easy enough for me to disconnect it and tbh if that's what it takes then I am willing to do it, I just wanted some confirmation that I am doing the right thing here.

I'm annoyed at myself for losing it last night, told him if he wanted to behave like a homeless person he knew where the door was cos he wasn't behaving like that in my home (I know I shouldn't have).

I also have a big ? mark over my relationship with my partner, his lack of parenting is affecting the way I view him, and it's not good.

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theredhen · 25/07/2013 11:35

DS used to shower every other day and I ended up having a battle over whether he showered yesterday or not. He always seemed to think he had had a shower the day before and therefore did not need one on that particular day.

Things got better when I insisted on a shower every single day because he couldn't argue it.

I completely understand you losing respect for DP because of this. Your DP is being lazy and avoiding being the bad guy to boot. Sad

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Jan45 · 25/07/2013 11:50

My partner asked him last nite when did you last take a shower and he said yesterday - I then had to point out that it was at least a week ago and only then because I had to tell him to go take one, it all sounds so petty but is extremely frustrating.

And yes I have lost a bit of resepct for my partner, I shouldn't have to do HIS job.

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Thyeternalsummer · 25/07/2013 12:27

Does he have long hair or anything that would make showering a 'chore'. I know sometimes the thought of having to blowdry my hair after showering makes it seem like far to much effort, same for my partner's daughter. She's much happy showering when there's a shower cap available and she won't need to wash, condition and detangle her hair.
Can only suggest you facilitate it being easy to shower as poss - access to bathroom, sufficient supply of clean dry towels, and plenty of clean clothes available to change into afterwards. Maybe a few comfy short/tshirt combos just to slouch around in after washing if he's not going out.

Apologies if you've already tried all this! Wink

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Jan45 · 25/07/2013 12:36

Thanks everyone.

No long hair, his hair is beaded and I don't think it's been washed for a year or more (eugh).

Shower caps, towels, underfloor heating, all there for him to use, bathroom right next door to his bedroom.

I'm going to wait and see what happens after last nite's heated discussion, I've warned him last chance, next time I'm cutting the internet connection.

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Ragwort · 29/07/2013 19:36

What happened?

Seriously, I think more of a problem is your relationship with DP - how can you love and respect someone who doesn't seem to want to parent his own child?

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Eliza22 · 30/07/2013 08:42

Um, your DP needs to sort this out in a "this isn't acceptable.... this is what must happen..." way.

I feel sorry for the young man. I feel sorry for you. And in this heat, he must be rather pungent!

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Jan45 · 30/07/2013 12:07

Was actually coming on to give an update: nothing has change really since last week, my partner has made half hearted attempts to get his son to shower, son doesn't seem to have taken on board anything I have said (for the past 7 months), I feel like I am living with 2 five year olds - I told his son that if he still insisted on not washing I was taking out the internet connection that runs from the livingroom to his bedroom, looks like by end of this week I'll be doing that then.

Seriously contemplating my relationship with b/f, he just won't take on board that he needs to ensure his son showers and clearly won't take on the fact that I am upset every 7 days and have to bring it up - it's a losing battle, we're going out tonight for a talk cos I am just not happy - the non washing, lying in bed all day long, it's just not for me, thought I could ignore it but I can't.

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Jan45 · 30/07/2013 12:14

Eliza22: my b/f has but it's been mainly me asking him, explaining to him, nothing works! I feel so uncomfortable in my own home as it all feels incredibly abnormal and totally unnecessary.

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Jan45 · 30/07/2013 12:15

Ragwort: yip that's exactly how I am seeing things too, difference between us is that I do love him but love doesn't conquer all, I know that much.

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Eliza22 · 30/07/2013 13:04

It wouldn't do for me, either. Not unless there was a very good reason (social phobia/depression) and help could be gotten for the boy. If it's genuine laziness and lack of respect for the fact he's living with others and cannot be (totally) a law unto himself, then I'd be giving them both an ultimatum.

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Jan45 · 30/07/2013 13:15

Yeah the ultimatum will be given out tonight, we're going out for a walk to have a good talk.

It's not just the non washing, it's the lying in bed til late afternoon/early evening - it's awkward cos I agreed with my b/f that I would stay out of the raising of his son completely (we'd already been there in the past) but I'm now finding out that these things are really upsetting me and it feels wrong to feel that way. I do all the cleaning, most of the cooking, which, I am happy to do but if I ask my b/f with help with DIY then it's a maybe, will see how I feel and it never gets done. He says I am always criticising him but won't say how (cop-out imo).

It's my own flat so don't know if he feels he shouldn't have to help but in my book being in a relationship means you want to do things for each other, he is making me feel like we're only in the here and now and to hell with the future, well I'm nearly 50 and I want to plan a future with someone, share the same values and morals and both look forward to the same goals, I don't think I'm going to get that so I think tonight will be more about him and his son moving out.

Sorry for ranting, it helps to put thoughts down on paper.

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Eliza22 · 30/07/2013 15:32

Oh Christ Jan, what are you getting out of this?

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Jan45 · 30/07/2013 15:48

Eliza22, a lot of stress and frustration that my b/f refuses to acknowledge. Wish me luck!

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