Talking does not do the trick. If you are a parent of teens, you are merely background noise and do not warrant full attention unless you are a friend or a video game. They will only notice you when they are hungry or need money.

So that brings  me to my point. How can you get them to do their chores? I have found the following very helpful.

I have AT&T cell phone service. And I log into their website when I'm working at my computer. I go to a little box that says "send a text message". (I hate typing it on the phone but if you're a texter, you can go that route). At any rate, I type in the chore list, sign off with Love, Mom. And then say that if the list is not taken care of my such and such time, the phone will be placed in solitary confinement otherwise cutting said teen off from the world at large.

Works like a charm. My dishwasher is empty. And the recycling boxes were broken down for the bin. The secret is to talk to them in their language. iPod messages, You Tube videos, comments on their You Tube videos, notes posted on the internet are all effective because they can appreciate that you, stupid parent with absolutely no brain cells whatsoever, took the time to reach them in their media. eMail hasn't worked so great with mine, changing the screensaver scroller to "pick up the towels in the bathroom" has.

I know you can do these things faster yourself. But it's your job to integrate them into the real world which could be a harsh transition if they never do so much as pick up their own underwear out of the hallway.