# Who are you and what have you done with my son? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 23, 2004, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943 "2004-03-23T18:12:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/1 "2004-03-23T18:12:36Z")
My almost 15-year-old son has been acting very strangely lately. I’m hoping the Dopers can help me with the mystery. Over the past few days he has: Taken the garbage out Cleaned his room Ironed his clothes Brought the garbage can back to the house Made lunch for the family Mowed the yard Folded clothes All normal chores, right? Yet, here’s the strange part. _He’s done all this without me and my husband having to ask him to do it!_ It’s quite freaky. I will run through a litany of Did You Brush and Floss Your Teeth Finish Your Homework Clean Your Room etc, to which he has answered YES!! Today, before I left for work, he asked if there was anything I needed done when they got home from school. I mentioned sweeping the living room and brushing the dog. He’s also asked that I _not_ tell him to do things, as he wants to see what needs to be done without me pointing them out to him, then I can tell him if he missed anything. We’ve asked him what’s gotten into him, and he said, “Well, I have to grow up sometime, don’t I?” Sniff sniff. Not yet, baby. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous\_Coward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/2 "2004-03-23T18:19:55Z")
awwww… he’s in love 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/3 "2004-03-23T18:22:21Z")
Sounds like any normal 15 year old who is going to eventually turn 16 and want his own car. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/4 "2004-03-23T18:23:31Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > He’s also asked that I _not_ tell him to do things, as he wants to see what needs to be done without me pointing them out to him, then I can tell him if he missed anything. Clearly, he’s conducting some kind of diabolical experiment for his alien overlords. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. If he runs out of stuff to do at your house, there’s plenty to do at mine… ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/5 "2004-03-23T18:35:52Z")
Could you send him over my way? My dishes need to be done, and the kitchen floor needs to be washed. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/6 "2004-03-23T18:36:09Z")
If I were you, I’d check his room for a duplicator with optional ethicator installed. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/7 "2004-03-23T18:46:59Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Sounds like any normal 15 year old who is going to eventually turn 16 and want his own car. Exactly what I was thinking. He’s getting ready to ask for something _big_, and is trying to pave the way for the answer he’s hoping for. I wish _I’d_ thought to do that when I wanted a car! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/8 "2004-03-23T18:51:27Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Sounds like any normal 15 year old who is going to eventually turn 16 and want his own car. Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Or, uhhh, want _your_ own car. ---
**Author:** ![JackaRoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@JackaRoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackaRoe)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/9 "2004-03-23T18:57:32Z")
My opinion on this: 1. He wants his learning permit. 2. Report cards are coming out soon. 3. Hey mom there is this party/concert/trip coming up and everyone else’s parents are letting the them go. 4. You raised him to be a responsible kid. ---
**Author:** ![OneYogini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b9e5f3/32.png) [@OneYogini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneYogini)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/10 "2004-03-23T18:58:39Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > If I were you, I’d check his room for a duplicator with optional ethicator installed. …or a **1920s style death ray**. He may just want to “take you out” so he can have the car and the house to himself. Evil genius or simple soon-to-be-sixteen-year-old, hmmmm??? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/11 "2004-03-23T18:59:58Z")
Well, he has expressed an interest in a learner’s permit, but we told him no until his grades are brought up. (He needs improvement in the Turning in Homework area, which is another area that has shown marked improvement.) As for a new car…not until Mommy and Daddy get new cars. I’m currently driving an 89 Dodge Shadow, and Ivylad has an 85 Cutlass Ciera, both without a/c. But then again, we don’t have car payments. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/12 "2004-03-23T19:09:59Z")
He needs money. Lots of it. Now. That or a cookie. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/13 "2004-03-23T19:45:12Z")
He’s on the reefer. If you don’t stop it now, he might grow up to be a moderate democrat President. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/14 "2004-03-23T19:51:08Z")
He’s got a girlfriend, and she’d coming round for dinner within a fortnight. I guarantee. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![talking\_head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a8b319/32.png) [@talking\_head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/talking_head)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/15 "2004-03-23T20:15:45Z")
It’s an epidemic in my neighborhood also, Ivylass. It is the Spring-Break-is-rapidly-approaching-BUG in our case. Our young ones are busy showing us how responsible they are. All in the hopes of going to a warm, sunny destination-minus parental supervision for one week! You know, the spring break you see on the telly-clothing optional and free-flowing booze. Aren’t dreams wonderful? Your young one couldn’t “possibly” be one of my child’s crowd, could he? ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/16 "2004-03-23T21:09:32Z")
Don’t worry. The detective will tell you why he’s been such an angel soon after he knocks on (or breaks down) your door. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TheOnlySaneOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@TheOnlySaneOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheOnlySaneOne)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/17 "2004-03-23T21:44:29Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. He wants his learning permit. > > 2. Report cards are coming out soon. > > 3. Hey mom there is this party/concert/trip coming up and everyone else’s parents are letting the them go. > > 4. You raised him to be a responsible kid. I propose we open a betting pool to see which one of these it is. My bet’s on number 2. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/18 "2004-03-23T21:45:03Z")
> [@js\_africanus](#): > > He’s on the reefer. If you don’t stop it now, he might grow up to be a moderate democrat President. No way. No stoner pothead would ever get that much done over just a few days. Not, at least, without leaving a trail of Cheetos crumbs behind him. My money’s on one of three things: a) the girlfriend b) spring break is approaching c) we wants to drive. Although he could have suffered a severe head trauma in gym class or something… Do they still have gym class? ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/19 "2004-03-23T22:09:28Z")
My guess is it involves money. Is there some kinda formal dance or something coming up? He wants SOMETHING, that’s for sure… ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2004, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943/20 "2004-03-23T22:41:54Z")
Just check there’s nothing strange on the back of his neck… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-you-and-what-have-you-done-with-my-son/235943.md?page=2)