My son is 13, almost 14. Everything I ask him to do he replies "why do I have to do that". I tell him to clean his room, has asks "why do I have to do that?" I ask him to help out. He only helps if its something he enjoys or is going to benefit from. This phase is really taking a toll on all of us. I threaten to take something away and he says "Oh my god!" like its the end of the world. Please .,.. any advice would be helpful. We are at wits end.
Sounds like your son needs a reminder of who the parents are. I always swore when I was a kid, teenager, or even a childless adult that when I had kids I would never tell them, "Because I said so! That's why!" Mostly I don't either. But in order for them to be entitled to a respectful answer, I must be treated with respect and the "why" must be reasonable as should be my request. Respect is huge with our kids and sometimes (not all of the time and I am not saying it is the case with you) they show lack of respect because they are not being respected. Make sure that the families requests are handled respectfully and see if something is going on with another adult that is in an authority position. Then talk with your son about respect. I always try to put my children in my place or the other persons, as it were, in order to let them see how their behavior feels. Try that, it might work. All I know is that at this age it is very important to hold on and to not let them get away with it. Stand your ground and insist on respect.
