I came home from work last week to overhear my parents arguing over the thermostat.
It seemed like the silliest argument I had ever heard them have. My mom wanted a smart thermostat when they had the new HVAC system installed, but dad said no. He liked his digital programmable thermostat. Mom told him what the HVAC technician had said about all the outstanding features of the smart thermostat. I could see my dad roll his eyes while she talked. He had heard this several times now, and he was tired of hearing her extoll all the features. He didn’t think we needed a smart thermostat, unless she just wanted another app on her phone. He certainly didn’t plan on extended vacations where he thought the HVAC system needed 24/7 monitoring. They took their vacations during the spring or fall, when there was no need for HVAC. Mom said it would make her feel more comfortable being away from the house. He told her to leave and he would monitor the HVAC system for her. I was trying not to laugh out loud, since they sounded so much like children arguing over toys. I walked into the living room and told them I liked the thermostat they already had. In mom’s words, why would we change something that isn’t broken? Mom gave me a dirty look because I had sided with her, and dad shook his head and walked away. I may only be sixteen, my I know I can be the voice of reason with my parents when they’re behaving like my five-year-old brother.