What do you do with a disgruntled 12 year old?

[DumbledoresGirl]

Not capable of playing nicely with his younger siblings.

Only has 3 friends, one of whom lives too far away, one of whom is on holiday and the last one is not allowed friends round and is often grounded.

Too old to be taken to the park etc

Too immature to want to go out by himself.

Owing to a late start to the holidays round here, we are only on day 5 and I am already getting very stressed by his behaviour.

Any ideas?

[reban]

Is he allowedd out on his own .. could try local library or bigger town library if he is into books or museums if into history. Or for sporty lots of football clubs and sports centres offer week long courses in a variety of sports or activities he may be interested in. If all else fails tell him he can earn some extra money by, mowing the lawn, painting the garden fence etc!
Good luck

[DumbledoresGirl]

Is he allowed out on his own as we live in a small place. I did suggest to him that if he did not behave he would be forced out of the house. I did this the other day (when he was with a friend) and got a plaintive text a while later pointing out to me that it was now raining and could he come home?

The library would not interest him much and sports would certainly not interest him. Anyway, WRT sports, I have no money to pay for it.

He is currently out on his bike with ds2 and a friend of ds2's, which is fine: peace reigns in the house! I just wish this could happen more often but I do find many parents are still reluctant to let their children out to roam for the day.

I will bear in mind the mowing the lawn idea. Dh would be grateful not to have to do it at the weekend.

[DumbledoresGirl]

Grr that last post should start out as "he is"

More stressed than I thought!