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I was talking to my friend in her 40s last week and she told me about her 16yr old son. She thinks that he's spoiled but her husband doesn't.
Basically, he has autism and some sensory issues. He's very clean (almost to the point of being obsessive about it). When he cleans however, he has to switch on water to boil or boil water in the kettle. He can never wash with cold water as it feels uncomfortable for him but he also says that hot water cleans the dishes better/cleans the bathroom better.
Before showering, he always has to turn on his Dyson fan as he feels very cold stepping out of the bathroom after a shower. Again, in the shower he uses nearly boiling hot water.
My friend thinks that even with his autistic issues, he's a bit spoiled as he's running up all these hot water costs. She says that when he's living alone, he'll soon learn how expensive these things are. Her husband on the other hand doesn't see an issue with it and says that at least he's much more responsible when it comes to cleaning the house compared to boys his age.
The person that is right is the one that lives in Ethiopia and has no running water or hot water. That person can honestly say what a priveldged life to have such.
Now go rinse your judgement cap, it's a bit tarnished.
OP, you should do some reading into autism and sensory issues. Some of this is beyond his control. And some battles aren’t worth fighting. In the big picture of issues this young man could have, this is extremely small potatoes.
OP, you should do some reading into autism and sensory issues. Some of this is beyond his control. And some battles aren’t worth fighting. In the big picture of issues this young man could have, this is extremely small potatoes.
No, he is not spoiled.
This. The mom is seriously complaining that her teenage son prefers to CLEAN the house with hot water? And he's the spoiled one?
That lady is going to miss that boy when he moves out.
I only clean my dishes with hot water. I also run the hot water tap when I clean the bathroom sink and tub. I take hot showers (not boiling hot though). Am I missing something? I did not know that this was an indication of a spoiled individual.
This. The mom is seriously complaining that her teenage son prefers to CLEAN the house with hot water? And he's the spoiled one?
That lady is going to miss that boy when he moves out.
This. She has a teenage boy who takes baths without being asked and vigorously CLEANS and does CHORES. And she's complaining about the hot water?
People with autism and sensory issues have a hard row to hoe. He is going to be dealing with his sensory issues his entire life. If he has found a way to successfully deal with them--i.e. I take a bath, I just need the water to be hot, I clean the kitchen and do dishes until they're spotless, I just need the water to be hot--then kudos to him, and his mom needs to recognize what a good job he's doing of finding what works for HIM.
The person that is right is the one that lives in Ethiopia and has no running water or hot water. That person can honestly say what a priveldged life to have such.
Now go rinse your judgement cap, it's a bit tarnished.
My thoughts exactly.
Who complains about the cost of friggin' HOT WATER? I live in an area where both water and power are at a premium compared to the rest of the USA, and a hot shower that completely DRAINS the 40-gallon water heater costs about 5 cents.
The son may be autistic, but the mom and her friend are fully OCD.
Also, water boils at 100C. Nobody showers in "nearly boiling" hot water, as you would scald the crap out of yourself. Skin burns after 5 minutes under 48C water. That's why there's all those warning labels on your hot water heater.
This. She has a teenage boy who takes baths without being asked and vigorously CLEANS and does CHORES. And she's complaining about the hot water?
People with autism and sensory issues have a hard row to hoe. He is going to be dealing with his sensory issues his entire life. If he has found a way to successfully deal with them--i.e. I take a bath, I just need the water to be hot, I clean the kitchen and do dishes until they're spotless, I just need the water to be hot--then kudos to him, and his mom needs to recognize what a good job he's doing of finding what works for HIM.
I second (or third or fourth or whatever...) this.
I wouldn't call him spoiled, I might call her cheap.
Being spoiled implies a kid is over indulged. It implies a lack of boundaries. It also implies a certain sense of desire/want on the kid's behalf.
This doesn't make the cut. To apply the "spoiled" label there needs to be an awareness and relevant request. Use of water or electricity is implied living in a house as long as things aren't left running unnecessarily. If I'm an overnight guest, I don't think about the costs of my shower, or how long it is, unless there are others needing to shower. I don't think twice about the cost of heating the water for a cup of coffee. If the guest room has a space heater, I don't think twice about running that (as I'd assume its there for my use) unless it were summer and the AC was running.
I wasn't spoiled growing up. The only time hot water was brought up to us was in reference to other people needing to shower in a short time period, which was relatively rare, like family Holiday parties or something.
The only time energy costs were brought up was the "close the door, we aren't heating the neighborhood!" sense.
When he lives on his own, he'll adjust to be comfortable, like most of us do.
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