12 going on 13yr old son- help (manipulative)
12 going on 13yr old son- help (manipulative)
Author
Discussion

Quickmoose

5,314 posts

152 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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I think any age from 5 onwards children start to learn manipulation and the pushing of boundaries(?)....so yeah I'd say it's normal.
It's at what point you stop them, how you teach them, and IF they're interested to learn, given that there are precious few real consequences these days that the modern child can't find a way through or around....so as a result everything can be achieved and there are no limits to the continual 'push'
None of the above means the child is malicious or nasty. They've just figured it out.

How you teach them without instigating an arms race of pushing against you vs them feeling actual consequences is the real tough bit.
Maximum empathy from me....

Edited by Quickmoose on Tuesday 7th March 14:46

BananaFama

4,994 posts

108 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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Opening your post ,absolutely not on at all !

NDA

25,580 posts

254 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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Normal.

Nobody died, he hasn't stolen anything.

Choose your battles!

My son was very similar at that age, every trick in the book - I turned a blind eye to most of it (smoking and beer drinking) and encouraged him to work hard at school. Which he did. He's now at university and doing very well.

Does he have a mentor that he looks up to?


A500leroy

8,349 posts

147 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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in the 80s that would result in a smack, but of course that isnt allowed now. Personally send a typed letter to him and when it arrives show him and open it in front of him. When he complains tell him not to do it to yours.

Johnniem

2,753 posts

252 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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Well it would seem that he is getting very interested in money and acquiring stuff. That seems fairly normal for one his age. Weren't we all? However, opening all your post!! WTAF?? That's actually unlawful I think since it is not addressed to him (unless you share a name and every single opening was an honest mistake - Thought not). You have to stop that now.

Just my two penn'orth.

JM

TGCOTF-dewey

7,852 posts

84 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
quotequote all
NDA said:
Normal.

Nobody died, he hasn't stolen anything.

Choose your battles!

My son was very similar at that age, every trick in the book - I turned a blind eye to most of it (smoking and beer drinking) and encouraged him to work hard at school. Which he did. He's now at university and doing very well.

Does he have a mentor that he looks up to?
A politician by the sound of it laugh

OP, my son - also 13 - has become a sneaky bugger when it comes to mobile phone access. He's obsessed.



Muzzer79

13,032 posts

216 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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The TV is mischievous. But if it's his money which he has obtained legitimately, it's up to him to learn how to spend it.

However, opening your post is absolutely not on. Regardless of the contents of it, he needs taking down a peg or two and to learn to respect people's privacy.

When I first got together with my wife, it shocked her a little that I wouldn't go into her handbag for her to retrieve something. Reason being? When I was young, it was drilled into me that under no circumstances do you breach someone's privacy and rifle through their stuff be that a handbag, wallet or anything. Post comes under this category.

ZedLeg

12,278 posts

137 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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Is there a reason he feels the need to lie about wanting things? I wouldn't see a problem with a kid spending their own money on a new TV if they wanted one.

NDA

25,580 posts

254 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
quotequote all
Joking aside, a mentor is so helpful at this age.... I am godfather to a few and was used as an Exocet missile with the teenage boys. Taking them for lunch or whatever to nudge them back on the rails a few times.

It doesn't work for everyone - just a suggestion.


Spare tyre

12,541 posts

159 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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If I pulled the ordering things trick my dad would arranged a couple of his scary mates round to shout and scream and ask for payment etc pretending to be bailiffs

EDIT

I may of misunderstood how he paid for it!

Edited by Spare tyre on Tuesday 7th March 15:09

Fozziebear

1,840 posts

169 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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This isn't normal and you need to stop it, no way a child should be even thinking about doing that, did you or your wife try this growing up? I certainly didn't, id be sending it all back and clamping down big time if my daughter did this, a 50in tv? an Apple Watch, seriously this will end badly for you if you don't act now. im not saying go all victorian parent on him, but boundaries are there to teach real world behaviour

ZedLeg

12,278 posts

137 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Before I bought one, I would've probably said that's too big laugh. Presume he has a Recent Xbox/PS5/gaming PC?

There's no such thing as too big a screen for 4k gaming.

TGCOTF-dewey

7,852 posts

84 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Agreed, everyone knows the minimum is now 65 regardless of room size.

PositronicRay

28,951 posts

212 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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Opening post? Is he worried about a letter from school?

Muzzer79

13,032 posts

216 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
It's his money, presumably.

If he wants to blow it all on a stupid-size TV, it's up to you to teach him the consequences of that decision in that he'll have no money for anything else.

If he's happy having no money for anything else, let him fill his boots.

When I was a kid, I wanted a pair of Nike Air Max. I spent all my money on them and coveted them. My parents thought it was a waste, but I got about 10 years out of those trainers so I was happy.

ZedLeg

12,278 posts

137 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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I remember paying for a pair of Kickers school shoes in instalments from my aunt's catalogue because my mum wanted to get cheap ones again. We've all been there laugh.

andburg

8,724 posts

198 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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opening post would worry me, what is he trying to intercept?

did he pay cash for the TV?

Have you got an account with clearscore / experian? this is definitely something I'd be checking.

SistersofPercy

3,570 posts

195 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
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CheesecakeRunner said:
I’d be looking very closely at how my son paid for those things.

And my wife would be changing her phone passcode.
Agreed.
He's of an age county lines gangs love, could be checking post for bank statements etc if he's a money mule. I'd be deeply suspicious, especially if this is a reasonably rapid change in behaviour.

ZedLeg

12,278 posts

137 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Do you put a lot of pressure on him to do well?

Anxiety could be making him act out if he's feeling pressure.

Defcon5

6,465 posts

220 months

Tuesday 7th March 2023
quotequote all
Is he opening your post because he has applied for a credit card in your name?