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Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Teenagers

if your teenager isn't sporty and does not spend all their time on their pc - what are there interests?

39 replies

basic · 04/02/2012 15:42

Please share? I've thought of volunteering his time but that would just be controlling wouldn't it
Is there hope?

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basic · 04/02/2012 15:43

Oh No that should of course read their interests - how could I runs off to hide!

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RabidEchidna · 04/02/2012 15:46

War hammer, making, painting and gaming little plastic things

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roisin · 04/02/2012 15:51

I can't offer help, but am posting because I want to read the responses!

I have a non-sporty, antisocial 14 yr-old who spends all his time on his laptop (or reading). He's supposed to be doing DofE this year, but is doing the absolute minimum that he can get away with.

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webwiz · 04/02/2012 16:01

DS is 15 and he spends his time watching films, writing scripts for films, making films, reading magazines about films and talking about films

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ragged · 04/02/2012 16:02

. (marking place)
Come to think of it, I wasn't sporty & we didn't have console games back then. I used to do puzzles, read books, watch telly, see my friends, play with pets, do homework, ride my bike for fun, draw things, crochet, try to understand how to wear makeup. I did learn to get fit but I am very very bad at sport just did exercise my own way.

On the unhealthy side there was Sex Drugs & Rock n Roll (mostly imaginary), but still, seemed to fill up a lot of my mental space.

DS is only 12 but already talking about ATC, we both think he'd like it.

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webwiz · 04/02/2012 16:08

Actually DS does go to "Rock club" after school and plays electric guitar in a band there and he currently rehearsing for the school play as well. The reason I forgot them was that he does the music to help with the musical scores for his films and drama so he knows what its like to act and he'll find it easier to direct people in his films. As you can see we have a bit of a "film" thing going on.

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basic · 04/02/2012 16:45

Interesting the ones who have actual interests. Have tried to spur interest in various things but don't really know what boys especially do if they are not sporty (like friends sons) or got a hobby.
Roisin we haven't got DoE as an option this year as the school seems to have dropped it and even if it were an option my ds would be the same as your ds!

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ILoveOnionRings · 04/02/2012 16:48

My DS's hobbies are constantly lounging around, eating us out of house and home, leaving homework to the very last minute and texting. He is 16

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ILoveOnionRings · 04/02/2012 16:54

Oh and his other 'interest' is hoarding the towels in his bedroom so by Friday when DH or I have a bath shower we are usually left with a flannel. And, and, and just noticed wearing my socks, I am a size 5/6 and he is a size 10.

Sorry don't think these were the interests you were thinking of

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rubyrubyruby · 04/02/2012 16:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BehindLockNumberNine · 04/02/2012 17:03

BMX-img and stunt-scootering, cooking and baking (and eating the product)

He also enjoys helping out at the local Greyhound Rescue Trust, has not been so much lately but was there often in the summer holidays especially when they had rescue puppies which needed hand-feeding...

He also likes to play on ps3 and watch programmes on tv such as top gear, gadget show, masterchef etc.

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ButWhyIsTheGinGone · 04/02/2012 17:06

My sister is 15 and goes shooting/lamping. Not everyone's cup of tea I know, but it keeps my freezer full so I encourage her :-)

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webwiz · 04/02/2012 17:52

at IloveOnionRings DS manages those interests alongside his film obsession.

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LineRunner · 04/02/2012 17:58

DD (15) does drama at school and seems to volunteer for every possible school production, parents' evening event and theatre visit going.

She spends a fair bit of time learning scripts and going to rehearsals, and watching DVDs of various plays and films.

She is lucky that her (state school) drama and English teachers are very enthusiastic about the theatre trips in their own time. I luffs those women.

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ILoveOnionRings · 04/02/2012 18:34

webwiz that reminds me Top Gear at every opportunity

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cory · 04/02/2012 19:55

My dd is like LineRunner's dd, totally into the theatre.

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bruffin · 05/02/2012 10:45

Dd is non sporty but does a lifesaving/bronze medallion course once a week. Dofe can be done through scouts as well.
Dd is also a scout and is involved in drama at school. She spends a lot of time on social websites but does not do gaming.
Ds on paper doesn't look sporty ie not into football or school sports, now has turned into a real outdoors person. He likes kayaking and climbing and walking. He has just passed his nplq and is working at the local sports centre.

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ivykaty44 · 05/02/2012 10:48

can I ask what lamping is?

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Tau · 05/02/2012 11:38

My 14 year old is addicted to warhammer (I think someone already mentioned it) and he also loves reading, computer strategy games, having (philosophical) discussions, geocaching and cooking.

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Dustinthewind · 05/02/2012 11:43

Round here, lamping is more likely to get you shot by the police worrying about terrorism. I wouldn't recommend it. Do you live in the UK, ButWhyIsTheGinGone?

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Dustinthewind · 05/02/2012 11:43

Lamping, hunting at night with a lamp.

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bigbluebus · 05/02/2012 13:24

Ds was never 'sporty'. He would do his best to get out of PE at school and hates football and rugby with a passion. However, after having swimming lessons and progressing through the badges, he joined a non-competitive swim club at the local pool and loves it. He also had a chance to try indoor climbing and decided he wanted to take that up & has progressed well in that too. When he turned 14 he decided he wanted to join the gym (DH & I both go). So our non sporty boy is now extremely active - it was just a question of finding the right activity. (he did do karate at one stage but got hurt one too many times).
He also plays 2 instruments and like others have said, is doing D of E through school which means he has been volunteering for last 3 mths which has really boosted his confidence.
If you look on D of E website there is a link to contact your local leaders so it may be that your DS could do this outside of school.
DS spends the rest of his time glued to PS3/computer/mobile phone so the more hours of his time we fill with activities, the less time he has to waste playing mindless shooting games!!! Left to his own devices he wouldn't arrange any of these things himself, but with a kick up the backside a bit of encouragement, he is quite happy to take part in these things.
If your DS is not self motivated, then I'm afraid it will be up to you to find things to interest him and probably ferry him around too but its up to you if you want to/have the time to do that or if you just leave him to his own devices.

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GnomeDePlume · 05/02/2012 18:03

Both DDs (12 & 16) go to a Saturday morning music school and a rock school on Saturday afternoon.

DS started army cadets a few months ago.

I really like the fact that they have out of school activities, it does take an awful lot of weight off school friendships.

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basic · 05/02/2012 19:17

So many interesting replies. bigbluebus your last para is spot on that's why I decided to start this for ideas and also to see if I was being unfair. I can't bear the thoughts of him filling his time with mindless "games" that do not require you to budge from your bottom for an entire day if left to his own devices.
Thank you all - any others out there who spot this, please post.

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LineRunner · 05/02/2012 19:32

basic, I'm lucky that ny DS (14) does do sport as well as the damned computer/console games, but today he spent a couple of hours with me making chocolate cakes.

It doesn't just happen out of nowhere, though - I did have to fix him a 'look' and advise him that he would be helping and he would be enjoying himself. And so he did.