SS12 annoying behavior
My two SSs are pretty normal boys I think. They think all the usual gross stuff is hilarious. But the one thing that is driving me crazy right now is that SS12 won't keep his pants on! He wants to sit on the couch, eat dinner, walk out in the living room, watch tv and basically flash his underwear all the time. I try to avoid giving him much attention over it, I just say calmly, "Go put some pants on before you leave your room." DH sort of goes a little crazier and makes a big deal about it. He yells and gets noisy. He thinks it's really inappropriate. That gets both SSs laughing and then they want to push the envelope some more.
The other night I had SS12 alone for a couple hours and twice he was walking around in skivvies. He was changing to go to the pool and did it. Then when it was time to change back, he did it again. When his dad got home later, and he did it for the third time, I finally yelled at him, quite loudly that for the THIRD TIME, do not walk out in my living room in your underwear!
The boys do not get all giggly when I finally break, so he just went and put pajamas on and came back. What I'm wondering is if I should just start yelling rudely the first time?
I really should add, I don't think there's anything very weird going on with it. He and DH struggle to find ways to give and get each others' attention. It's got to be that. SS12 has never indicated any signs of inappropriate sexuality at all.
What do other folks do about this, regardless of whether it's a skid or a bio? Maybe some people don't even freak out like I do? Just need some perspective. Thanks!
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Ahhhh, boys (and men)! I
Ahhhh, boys (and men)! I think that if they could get away with walking around NAKED- they would!
I have two boys, 20 and 16. I really don't think this behavior is anything inappropriate in-and-of-itself, but what your SS needs to know is BOUNDARIES and what is socially appropriate for your home.
So set a "House Rule"- Pants MUST be worn in ALL COMMON AREAS of the house (living room, kitchen, family room, etc). If you are in your bedroom, you can go pantless.
And set a CONSEQUENCE for breaking the rule, which MUST be followed through on EACH and EVERY time (and no screaming or yelling necessary, either.) Make it specific to what your SS loves the most, ie, his Ipod or video games or tv.
For instance, if rule is broken, you lose electronic privledges for 24 hours for the first offense. Second offense, 48, hours. Thrid offense one week. And so on. And again, follow through each and every time, with no screaming. Make it very matter of fact- think State Trooper on a traffic stop!
And get your DH to take the lead on it! Trust me, it DOES work. The LESS you scream, the more effective the tecnique.
Lol. Omg, all your comments
Lol. Omg, all your comments made me laugh. Everything about the Hangover is so funny. And when you said that, it reminded me that when my brother was younger, he always used to say, "I want to make a new family rule that no one should be seen without their pants!" And he would yell, "PANTS!" if my dad tried to come in the living room. I do think it is funny. But as with all things funny the first 2-4x your kids does it, it always ends up going tooooo far in the end.
Thanks so much, Crayon, for the quote from Mammy. That was a wise woman, there. We just always dealt with weird stuff with humor in my family. I think it is a shame that there actually has to be a formal rule that you will lose your electronics if you don't keep your drawers on and your big McDonald's belly covered. I was having trouble coming to grips with it for some reason!
So funny. Thanks you guys.
Tell him the next time you
Tell him the next time you see him in his underwear, you are throwing them all out and replacing them with Hannah Montana bikini underwear. Maybe THEN he'll learn to keep his pants on.
I'm mean though. I would threaten it and follow through. Don't threaten it if you don't want to actually do it.