How can I get my 15yr old son to get up on time on a school day? I've tried shouting, gently asking, water thrown at him, leaving him to his own devices and he now has an alarm clock designed for deaf people! Ronaele

Have you tried adjusting his bed times? Is there a computer or TV in his room? Does he have access to a cell phone? Maybe he is messaging through the night. You ned to check to see that he is actually sleeping and not up doing things he isn't suppose to do.

He needs rest and a bedtime of 10pm isn't out of line if he isn't getting up in the morning.

I'm with califdad as to what this kid might be doing instead of sleeping.

Get him into a bedtime routine, and remove all toys from his bedroom.

What about letting the school deal with him with absences when he can't get there? (I'd run this by the principal first, though.)

I'm with califdad as to what this kid might be doing instead of sleeping.

Get him into a bedtime routine, and remove all toys from his bedroom.

What about letting the school deal with him with absences when he can't get there? (I'd run this by the principal first, though.)

The only problem with letting the school deal with it is that in some areas in the U.S. they actually come after the parents and can put them in jail if the child doesn't go to school.

The only problem with letting the school deal with it is that in some areas in the U.S. they actually come after the parents and can put them in jail if the child doesnt go to school.
That's why I threw in the "run it by the principal first." Around here, the parents would definitely be the ones the school would go after.

The dumping a bucket of cold ( and I mean a 5 gallon bucket) of ice water worked fine, after the second time it did not have to be done.

But you take everything away from him, no iPod, no computer, no music , grounded to the house.

Thanks for your comments. I have been in to his school and the head of year and his tutor know the problems I'm having and he does get detention after school, lunchtimes etc when he misses a day or is late. The only trouble with throwing a whole bucket of water on him is where will he sleep for the next week whilst his bed is drying out! I do agree with removing his "toys" and have done that on various occasions but getting his phone off him is practically impossible and I have been in a wrestling match with him to get it before now! I've also switched the internet off at night so he can't email etc.
He says he finds it really difficult to sleep and without a doubt the problem does lie in him not getting to sleep until late and being to tired in the morning.
I guess I'm just going to have to start with renewed vigor and just be stronger mentally than him!

Thanks again for your help all of you. Wish me luck. :o)

You have a parenting problem then, so cancell his phone service, I assume you pay for it. And if he refused to give me his phone, after I got it it would be broken into 100 pieces and he would never have a phone again.


As to dying out, sorry at that point he can sleep on the floor, he gets a choice ( plastic liner cover on mattress is great)

He can not refuse to do what he is told, period, or he does and gets nothing, he gets no interest during the eveing, afternoon or weekend,unless he is obeying

You are right I haven't been as firm as I should have been in the past but over the last 3 years I have been a lot firmer with him, (better late than never). I am a single mum and brought him and his sister up on my own since they were 2 and 3.

I would also like to add that you need to watch what he eats also. Eating late near bedtime even snacking can keep him awake. So can caffinated drinks etc. Just keep an eye on the whole situation and deal with the problem areas as you find them. Also you can call the cellphone provider and get any text messages he has been sending and see what times they are being sent. It may give you a clue into what is really going on.