A day in the life of my 18 year old grandson is very much different to when my own boys were 18.

When my own three were 18, they had all moved out of home to either work or go to University.They did their own washing, helped with the housework and took turns at cooking the evening meal any time they came home. They had been doing these chores since they turned 12. They are now in their mid 30 ‘s.and still do so whenever they come to visit.

At present I am looking after my two grandsons aged 14 and 18 whilst their parents take a well earned rest. I love these boys dearly but their daily routine, especially the 18 year old, leaves a bit to be desired.

Granted, he gets himself out of bed each morning without any help from me. Spends half an hour under the shower, how could showering take so long I ask myself. Next task is getting dressed. Then another half an hour in the bathroom combing, gelling, moussing and styling the hair and god knows what else. Thank goodness he is not a girl.

Next up is breakfast. He does make his own. Literally, a litre bowl of porridge, 4 eggs on toast and a litre size mug of protein shake.

He tells me it is for building muscle. I would have thought the mega bowl of porridge and the 4 eggs would have been sufficient for that.

Mind you, he is very slim and not overly tall. Perhaps he does need such a breakfast to build him up, who am I to think otherwise.

Of course the kitchen looks like a tornado has passed through when he has finished his breakfast.

No amount of encouraging will see him cleaning up after himself. That Is not an option according to the lad.

Whilst this is happening, and in amongst the tornado style mess from 18 year old, I prepare the 14 year olds breakfast because he doesn’t know how to even turn the toaster on, let alone place a slice of bread in it.

14 year olds breakfast is a bit more normal.

One package of Up and Go and 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter.

When I suggested that I could teach him how to make toast a look of sheer horror came over his face. He assured me he would be “right” not knowing this simple task.

They both headed off to school after a bit of banter about what clothing would need to be washed that day.

Talking about clothing. Oh my goodness!. 18 year old dumps at least 4 changes in the laundry every day. There is the school uniform. The after school clothes, gym clothes, after gym clothes, going out socialising clothes, pyjamas. A look of disbelief on the little cherubs face when I suggest he could possibly wear some clothes again without washing them as he had only had them on for a couple of hours.

Oh no, that would never do,

I ask if he would like me to show him how to use the washing machine, he tells me he doesn’t have time to learn that as he has to rush off to the gym, after he has more protein drinks of course. These ones are different, he says ,as they are specifically for pre gym. The powder all looks the same to me.

I have to add that before each clothing change he goes through the hourly shower and preening routine plus a quick mega bowl of porridge and another protein shake and any leftover meat in the fridge.

I estimate he has at least five meals a day. Last one at around midnight when he cooks up several chicken breasts for when the munchies strike.

I cook an enormous quantity of dinner for the boys. Most of it consumed at the table, very rarely a crumb left.

Poor dogs do not get any scraps .

I suppose it is good that there is no wastage but I cannot believe how anyone could eat so much.

My daughter left me $600 to buy more food. That amount would keep me and several others overfed for more than a month I told her.

Just take it she said, you will not have any change left, after the 10 days.

She was right.

18 year olds. You just have to love them.