I (15F) really don’t like football. My older brother (17M) and my dad (41M) do, they support Aston Villa and have season tickets, so whenever Villa play at home, they usually go to the match. However, since they barely go to away games, they stay at home and watch those matches in the living room.
In our house, there are only two TVs: one in the living room and one in my brother’s bedroom. That means whenever I want to watch my series or films, I use the living room TV. That’s literally the only thing I use it for, and once I’m finished, my parents can watch whatever they want. So I feel it’s extremely unfair that if I’m in the middle of watching something, they’ll just come in and say, "We’re going to watch the Villa", which is basically a translation for: "Turn that off right now because we’re watching football". And let’s not get started on the shouting and the cursing that I have to hear coming from them, but that’s secondary.
I get that they’re massive fans and I respect their passion, but at the same time, they should respect that I don’t share it. Even if it’s only about two hours, why can’t they sometimes just not watch the match, or at the very least go and watch it in my brother’s bedroom?
I already mentioned this a couple of months ago and asked why they couldn’t just watch it on their phones, and they said that watching football on a phone isn’t the same as watching it on the TV. Which, fair enough, but I could say the exact same thing about the films and series I watch. Idk if I’m just being annoyed for no reason, but it really rubs me the wrong way that they feel entitled to stop me from watching what I’m watching for two hours just because their team is playing.
I haven’t told my mum about it, but it’s obvious she’d probably side with them. She sometimes joins in to watch too, although she’s more of a casual fan.
I’m planning on refusing to let them watch football in the living room the next time this happens. It’ll probably make them really angry because 1) they almost never miss a match, and 2) every time they’ve asked before, I’ve always let them. So they might be upset that I’m refusing for the first time. I want to make it clear that I’ve had enough, but at the same time, I don’t know if I’m being rude or unreasonable by doing this.
I’d also like advice on how to approach this (not just whether I would or wouldn’t be the AH) because I want to be able to watch my films, but I also don’t want to cause a massive argument or make them really angry. Any help would be appreciated.
Let them watch the matches and find something else to do.
just find something else to do for 2 hours? its their house too and they outvote you, sorry but thats how it works YTA
YWBTA. And you’ll lose.
YTA. Ask for a tv for your room or watch on your phone or laptop.
YTA. Are you paying the bills in the house at 15? Nope? Then let your dad enjoy watching sports on the TV in the house he’s paying for.
The good thing about football is, the fixtures are out months in advance. Why don’t you take note of the away game times and ask your brother if you could watch your films on his TV during those times ?
So you’re going to TELL the owner of the TV whether he can watch what he likes in his own house ? Have you listened to yourself ?
YTA, grow up. You’ll get over it.
YTA. It’s what? Two hours every other week? Or whatever the schedule is. You have plenty of time aside from when the games are on to watch your shows. If you said they were on it 8 hours a day every day – I’d be on your side. But it’s your parents home & tv so your dad can watch what he wants. Can you not use your brother’s tv or get your own?
Who pays the rent or mortgage? Who bought the Tv? YTA. Go buy your own tv and put it in your room.
Unfortunately until you get your own tv in your own home this is exactly how it goes. Get a job on the weekends and buy your own tv, start saving your money for your own place when you get older. That way when you graduate, you have a nice savings and hopefully some things for your first place. Good luck.
YTA
YWBTA…it is not your tv and as a parent I wouldn’t let my 15 year old direct what is going to happen with a tv.
I say this as someone who doesn’t care about sports: YTA. Watching these matches is a social thing and a bonding experience for your father and brother. It’s clearly important to them and they outnumber you. Also, sporting events start at a certain time, so they can’t really wait, but your streamed show can. You could also use your brother’s tv or watch your show on your phone. Or find a way to get yourself a tv for your own room.
YWBTA who do you think takes care of the electricity and cable and buying of everything for you to be able to even complain about this? Ask for your own tv or save up for one. Literally the easiest solution here.
It seems it’s funny that you think as a child have the right to refuse your father to use the TV him and your mother paid for. You will lose. Terribly and horribly. Tell them you are bothered by it (being interrupted without any leeway) and want your own cheap Roku tv or something for your room so you can all be happy and call it a day.
Edit: Better yet, Best Buy has a ton of laptops rn for like under $200. Ask or save up for one and you can watch tv wherever the hell you want! It’s not YOUR TV. It’s your parents. Maybe take a moment to remind yourself this is called a privileged problem! Find a solution instead of demanding your family members. You sound like an entitled child.