Before dinner:
“Do you have your letter to the Bishop?”
grunt
After dinner:
“Do you have your letter to the Bishop?”
grunt
In the driveway:
“Do you have your letter to the Bishop?”
grunt
Two minutes down the road:
“Did you sign the letter to the Bishop?”
“No – do you have the letter?”
“Wha-? Didn’t you get the letter off my desk?”
Noises, not grunting, more like anxious squawking. A time for calm.
“I’ll bring it when I pick you up. You can sign it and give it to your teacher then.”
He quiets.
Apparently, I have not mastered Communicating with Your Teenager. Did I need to ask a fourth time?
Eye contact…need to make more eye contact.
“Do you have your letter for the bishop”
grunt
“Show it to me.”
“…er, I'll be right back.”
And good luck with that. It doesn't get better until they start approaching 16.