What can I do about a teen that never turns out the lights?

[smalltown99645]

She comes from a difficult background, BUT, she is completely capable of turning out lights after using a room or the bathroom, she just doesn't see anything in it for her. I am very tired of following around behind her and turning out said lights. How can I make it in her best interest to do it herself? She is 17. She is not working and I pay for all expenses so I can't charge her a quarter or anything like that.

[s_kurzhals]

I have a cousin that installed a light that automatically shuts off if there is no movement in a room for a period of time. I'm not sure if it is a bulb or if you have to install a new lighting system but I do know that it is more energy efficient.

[RockRose]

smalltown,  this is such a tiny tiny problem.  If really this is the worst behavior this child has,  not turning out lights when she leaves a room,  you are so lucky.  I think you should buy those low energy long term lightbulbs,  and consider this done.  At night when all the lights go out they'll all be turned off.  

[smalltown99645]

I appreciate your feedback, but after following around turning off lights for three months, this is not a tiny problem. It's a matter of simple consideration, and a toolset that she'll need to have when she moves out and lives with other people. It is important to me that people not turn on and leave on the lights all over the house. For that reason she should be able to respect  it. Still looking for any practical suggestions, I am not willing to rewire the house or buy special lightbulbs, her roommates won't be doing that when she gets an apartment or goes to college.

[RockRose]

smalltown,  everyone lives kind of a different lifestyle,  with different priorities - but my guess is,  it's more typical to leave the lights on and only turn them off at night than it is to turn lights on and off every time you enter and leave a room.  

I don't think her roommates will have any expectation that the entire house should be dark except for the one room they are in.  I think sometimes things become such a power struggle that really needn't be.  

I think most families,  when they go to bed at night,  walk around and turn off all the lights - including in rooms they haven't been in for hours.  

I'm not trying to belittle your concerns,   I'm just saying that tiny little things can sometimes loom huge for no reason and cause power struggles that are a waste of emotional energy.