am being a witch to my unmotivated 6 year old ds

[chipkid]

I enrolled ds in a tennis coaching session. He is not brilliant at other sports but has shown an ability in this department. I thought it would be good for him to feel that he could excel in some sporting area. However he hates doing anything after school and just messes about in the tennis.

It's the same with homework-it takes an age to get him to sit down and then it is so slapdash it frustrtaes me.

He can learn an instrument at school this year-he doesn't want to because it means more things he will have to do.

He loves to come home and do nothing after school. My instinct is not to push him-but I am worried that he is missing opportunities that he may regert later

I am sick of naggng him! should I just leave him be?

[Sheherazadethegoat]

he is only 6 leave him be, if you keep pushing it will make it worse.

[Sonnet]

Don't push.....

will backfire on you.

sounds like he is tired after school.

[moopymoo]

i think it is a constant tightrope between nagging too much and trying to keep them motivated. my ds1 sounds very similar, he has trouble sticking at stuff. we have found a very firm routine helps, hmwk has to be started at 5pm on the dot then he has free time. he is 9 now btw. he has only recently discovered what he really enjoys - drama- and this is great for him and he has 2 extra curricular activities around this per week. but it took a lot of abandoned sports and instruments to get to this

[LIZS]

He's very young I'd give it all a miss for now to be honest. dd is year 2 , just 6, and happy to do several things both during and after school, however a number of her friends are resisting or losing interest as it often means giving up playtime. Seems pointless to force the issue more than necessary as they won't want to continue later on.

[NineUnlikelyTales]

When you get home from work do you like to do an hour of sport, or learn a musical instrument, or do other improving hobbies? Some people do (I am one of them) but others hate it, like my DH. I think it is best to let individuals decide for themselves. Offer opportunities and encouragement but don't nag.

[FloridaKbear]

My ds is 6 and has told me he doesn't want to go to Beavers, swimming lessons, or any after school clubs. Not his thing. DD on the other hand is a joiner-inner! She does orchestra, eco-club, ballet, swimming, Brownies etc. Why force it if he's not interested?

[chipkid]

thanks all-I gree with all of you. Ds has never done any after school stuff as I know he prefers to do his own thing-it is only this year that I have introduced the tennis-but it is only a 13 week course so will not renew it.