I just turn my landline on speaker when I call, then lay it on the desk or in my pocket and go on about my other activities till I hear someone actually answer. It keeps my blood pressure under control.
Yeah, Yeah, be sympathetic. But, if you want him to develop better habits stop being an enabler. Leave the backpack wherever he left it and NEVER mention that you’ve even seen it. Then just ignore his stuff for the next couple of years.
The successful parents I know tell the kids what they want done and why and set a time then what the consequences will be if the kid doesn’t comply then walks out and shuts the door returning when the set time arrives to either say thank you for acting responsibly or enforcing the consequences. No nag, No argument.
would anoyone want to?