It’s not me by the way. I can be arsed (if that is a thing), very much so in fact. Well, most of the time. My sons, on the other hand, are a very different.
“I can’t be arsed.”
“I can’t be bothered.”
These are phrases that I hear too many times.
“Have you done your homework?” “I can’t be bothered.”
“I have done my homework but I can’t be bothered to do any extra.”
“I didn’t go to rugby training, I couldn’t be arsed.”
“I can’t be arsed to get changed.”
“Do you want to watch something on television?” “No, I can’t be arsed.”
And on it goes. I hear them using these phrases when they are chatting to their mates on the Xbox, so I can imagine that they are phrases that they are hearing from mates too, as this is usually the way things go.
So is it an age thing? They are 11 and 12 and definitely heading for the teen years. Is it a teenage thing? Is it a mentality? Maybe it’s my fault that they can’t be arsed with life? Should I be doing more to inspire and motivate them? Is this state of ‘can’t be arsedness’ a permanent thing or simply a phase that will pass?
Whatever it is, I am not convinced it is a stage of parenting that I am particularly enjoying. I keep trying to inspire the boys by suggesting that we go out and do things. Their response? Well, you can probably guess their response. Although one is worse than the other. The sporty one does continue to do his sport but when it comes to anything else? Can’t be arsed.
Funnily enough, when it comes to watching YouTube or going to play on the Xbox, they rush to these activities without even the slightest mutterings of can’t be arsed.
As much as these phrases do drive me insane, I do find it tricky because as much as I want to get them out of this perpetual state of lethargy, I also know that this time of year is hard with the dark nights and cold weather. That in itself is enough to send you hurtling into a can’t be arsed hibernation. It is a long term and all of the children are tired and ready for the Christmas break. This also makes them feel more inclined to a life of not really doing very much. So should I be worried about it?
But it gets worse. I ask them not to use the phrase “I can’t be arsed”, and they think it’s hilarious to respond that they “can’t be arsed to” and then do a celebratory jig. They think they are so funny (I am silently calling them smart arses in my head). Then they keep saying “CBA” to each other with a grin and a quick look in my direction.
And even worse is that because I hear it so much, I have said it myself more than once. It is not good. I can be arsed, I can.
This made me chuckle…and gave me visions of my future 🙂 ..and past! I used to say it a lot as a teen. I can’t be arsed anymore though ????
That was meant to be a winking emoji at the end…doh!!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…Our family friendly Abu Dhabi holiday
Oh dear, this made me laugh! My boys don’t say this much, but, in my eldest’s case, actions speak louder than words! He doesn’t need to say it, because he’s proving that he cba by not doing his revision, not getting up for Parkrun, not practising his violin etc etc.
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted…The forgetful boy and the lost gumshield
Ha ha! this is one of those phrases I’ve picked up from my teens, in this case the eldest, and, although she’s now ‘really’ grown up, I still use it – mainly when I can’t be *ahem* bothered to cook a huge evening meal involving every pot and pan in the cupboard.
As for trying to nudge them out of their lethargy – maybe they’re just stuck between things they enjoyed as ‘children’ and things that will appeal in a few years once they’re that little more grown up?