When can we have nice things again?

[BobToc]

Currently running a 2022 Ioniq5 with a 7 year old and an 8 year old. At what point do they stop turning everything they touch into a tip? I’d quite like something a bit nicer, but paying a load of cash for them to turn the back seat into a refuse collection centre seems like a waste (and we don’t let them eat in the car!).

At what age do they start even vaguely cleaning cleaning up after themselves?

[barryrs]

22

[mike9009]

Kids are 13 and 16 now. No improvement yet.

In fact it has got worse with ferrying my lads football mates around.....

[Mr Tidy]

Probably not until they leave home!

[OMITN]

And how often do you bk them OP?

I’d have been hung drawn and quartered if I left either of my parents’ cars in a mess at that age.

[David87]

It’s because they know they can get away with it. My children are 5, 8 and 11. My wife’s car is a state as she lets them eat in it and they fill it with all manner of tat. Same kids in my car and no problems. I don’t mind being the strict parent when it comes to the car.

[edc]

My kids are just a bit younger. I just hoover the car out and give it a wipe down once a week or every other week. Sure it gets a bit dirty but it's not wrecked.

[brillomaster]

Buy another daddy only car... strict 2 seater. Only used by only you when you need to escape your offspring, or when the kids are with their grandparents and you can go away with just your wife.

[0ddball]

You poor mite. Nobody should be forced to drive around in a 4 year old car. People will think you area a pennyless pauper. Maybe try sticking the kid in a dog cage in the boot?

[QuattroDave]

Separate car for you to enjoy on your own, no children! Even my GT my daughter (14 now) finds any (every) way to make a mess!

[Rob 131 Sport]

I never had a problem with my children in the car. It’s called ‘good parenting’ and simple discipline.

When the children were growing up we had a succession of BMW’s, one Alfa and a Mercedes. Two of the BMW’s (a 330i Sport and 525i) had light beige interiors. When part exchanging the 330i, the BMW salesman was shocked at how immaculate the interior was. I do feed the leather twice a year, never clutter the car up or allow unruly behaviour.

[zetec]

Mr Tidy said:

Probably not until they leave home!

Nope, because they leave all the crap they don't need behind as they may need it in the future.

[Robertb]

It could be worse OP.

I recall when I was a young lad going to a friends house and he decided he’d clean his father’s car. With sand.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Mr Tidy said:

Probably not until they leave home!

Yup. My two sons have both bought their own flats and you could eat your dinner off the floor. I've seen dirtier operating theatres.

[DonkeyApple]

Children are obviously all different but mine have never made any mess in the back of a car. They were just asked not to and taught to take their rubbish with them.

[fttm]

Thinking back we had some nice cars when the kids were young without issue , don't give then the ammunition to cause a mesh .

[GT9]

DonkeyApple said:

Children are obviously all different but mine have never made any mess in the back of a car. They were just asked not to and taught to take their rubbish with them.

My experience too.
For two parent families, it takes both parents though, and setting the rules early, not at age 7 or 8.
Seeing the kids of my relatives of friends, where one of the parents is messy or lax, it's usually a lost cause.

[Lester H]

GT9 said:

DonkeyApple said:

Children are obviously all different but mine have never made any mess in the back of a car. They were just asked not to and taught to take their rubbish with them.

My experience too.
For two parent families, it takes both parents though, and setting the rules early, not at age 7 or 8.
Seeing the kids of my relatives of friends, where one of the parents is messy or lax, it's usually a lost cause.

I blame the parents! If they are casual, the kids will be worse. When I was in the trade ,which I still flirt with, the worst cars we encountered apart from total bangers ( which we dispatched to the Banger Man) were ex yummie mummy 4x4s or similar lookalikes which were so bad it was not just a matter of a wet vac followed by Autosmart, but it was the full seats out scenario which took most of a working day, and these were what passes as up market cars. A valeter pub mate at a main dealership in a posh area even talked of loosening the entire dashboard to release all the old sticky sweets and drink spills.

Edited by Lester H on Monday 4th May 21:55

[georgeyboy12345]

You just need to absolutely bk them

[Rayny]

georgeyboy12345 said:

You just need to absolutely bk them

Nope- Should have worn a condom....

J/K, in case you do not spot the smilie.

J/K = Just Kidding, if your parents should have worn a condom