I found that instead of telling them the thermostat is off limits, it’s easier to remind them of how blessed they are to own an AC unit at all.
Whenever I’m feeling unhappy or ingrateful, I try to remind myself that everything is relative. You can easily change your perspective if you’re feeling drained or demotivated by something if you consider what the distant alternative would be. For instance, everyone who is complaining about being at home during the quarantine right now should consider these stressful times in their lives when they barely had any time at home because of their outside obligations. Anyone who’s feeling drained and exhausted by their relationship should consider what it’s like when they’re single. These days, anytime my kids start complaining about the indoor air quality, I like to give them a solid reminder of how it feels to live without it. Since we’re all stuck at home for the COVID-19 pandemic, my kids think that the central heating and air conditioning systems should be at their mercy. Unfortunately, they have much more expensive taste in indoor air quality than we can afford. I simply can’t run the air conditioner 24/7 the way they desire. I found that instead of telling them the thermostat is off limits, it’s easier to remind them of how blessed they are to own an AC unit at all. So, when my kids start complaining or trying to fiddle with the indoor air temperature control, I send them out on some kind of chore or errand outdoors. Within 10 minutes of being in the pounding son and 90% humidity, they are clamoring to come back inside and enjoy the air conditioning at the same temperature they were just complaining about. I don’t hear any complaints about the indoor air temperature after they’ve experienced the outdoor climate. Remember, everything is relative.