DEAR DEIDRE: OUR 21-year-old son is on furlough and is driving me and my wife nuts. He’s turned into an Xbox lout.
I’m off work on lockdown as is our son. He has always been headstrong but since lockdown he’s turned into a disrespectful hooligan.
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He seems to delight in playing loud music from when we go to bed. If I say anything about it he laughs at me and calls me all the rude names under the sun.
We’re in our mid-40s and I feel like telling him to go, once lockdown ends. What do you think? He’s not too bad usually but his lack of respect is getting us down.
DEIDRE SAYS: Don’t threaten to throw him out. He’s still that decent lad underneath but doesn’t know how to handle the current extreme pressures appropriately. Set him a good example.
Say the three of you need a round-table conference to decide house rules you’ll all respect.
He must listen to music on headphones after your bedtime, but look for an activity you can share with him so he doesn’t feel so bottled up. Think outdoors and exercise.
