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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Are most kids like this?

111 replies

Neverstopsever · 05/04/2026 18:16

Really not enjoying motherhood at the moment and generally always did in the past.
My Dc, just 8, feels like such hard work to me. She is never satisfied, she has a lovely life, lots of friends, lots going on, but she is so whingy (spelling?) at the moment. She cannot occupy herself at all anymore, she’s bored with everything. She has so many toys, books, art supplies, a garden, trampoline, bike, scooter.
She constantly pesters to play on the computer, she’s allowed occasionally or to go out on her bike (Dh takes her a couple of times a day)
I’m tired of constantly having to find her something to do, we play with her lots, take her out lots, she plays with friends.
Shouldn’t a child at this age be able to find things to do and let us have a relaxed day, without moaning they’re bored all day or constantly arguing with me when I’ve said no to playing on the computer
I remember being left to it as a child and feeling quite content
Dh and I both so exhausted

OP posts:
BlackberrySky · 05/04/2026 18:38

I don't know if this glimpse into the future might help OP, but my DS was like this at that age. He attended a very small primary school with only 20 kids in Y6 by the time he left. He always wanted us take him out, be with him at home, etc.

By age 12, he was at a big busy secondary school, had found his tribe of like minded people and got involved in all the sport, music and drama.

Now at 15 he is always on the go and out and about independently (though we live in London so that's quite easy for teenagers to get around).

Turns out he's an extrovert who thrives in the company of others and likes to be busy with activities as opposed to being at home. It's much easier now he can arrange his own stuff and he has a self - generated, full and interesting life.

So I guess I'm saying hang in there, you might end up with a self - starting teenager like I did.

Tel12 · 05/04/2026 18:35

It's ok for children to be bored. Children need to learn to amuse themselves and in a way it sounds as if your daughter has too much, loads of toys, adults to provide entertainment, escorting outside etc. Maybe pull back a bit.

PottingBench · 05/04/2026 18:34

I learned to occupy myself pretty early because if I ever said I was bored my mum or dad would give me a job. Might that work and you could get your car cleaned into the bargain 😀

BlackBean2023 · 05/04/2026 18:34

It sounds like she needs to learn to be bored OP.

my youngest DD is a similar age - she has just found crocheting and it’s been a game changer; she’s obsessed!

Brightbluestone · 05/04/2026 18:34

Is she an only child? Do you think she’d be different if she had siblings of a similar age to play with? I only ask as my 6 yo dd sounds a bit similar- not as bad as you describe but is always asking me to play with her and can’t seem to entertain herself. I often think it’d be very different if she had a sibling

arethereanyleftatall · 05/04/2026 18:30

Neverstopsever · 05/04/2026 18:27

She has lots of play dates, that and us going out as a family occupies most of her time. If her friends are not in or we’re tired and want a day at home or even if we’ve already been out in the morning, she just always needs something to do. She has choice of lovely films/shows on Disney to wind down, but when like this, she barely wants to sit still to watch tv even for some calm time
It feels like she played independently more when younger, isn’t it supposed to be the other way round?

Whilst recognising it’s easier for me to say this as neither of my children did this - I can’t imagine I’d tolerate this from an 8 year old op. ‘I’m tired darling and would like to watch a film. You can watch it with me if you like or find something on your room to play with.’ And that would be the end of that discussion.

Neverstopsever · 05/04/2026 18:27

She has lots of play dates, that and us going out as a family occupies most of her time. If her friends are not in or we’re tired and want a day at home or even if we’ve already been out in the morning, she just always needs something to do. She has choice of lovely films/shows on Disney to wind down, but when like this, she barely wants to sit still to watch tv even for some calm time
It feels like she played independently more when younger, isn’t it supposed to be the other way round?

OP posts:
SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 05/04/2026 18:26

Ooof I'd be inclined to do a reset of sorts.
I couldn't live like this.
My kids are younger but even my 4 yo knows there are limits and her best bet is "quiet sulking"

Remove some of the toys
Limit screen time
Introduce quiet time
Introduce independent play with consequences for not following rules.
Be clear Whinging means no ice cream / activities end and she gets to be very bored / gets a consequence
I'd give her some chores
And id let ger choose what she does one Am /pm per week with one parent (other gets some r&r) visit a cafe... park... trip to town she is "the boss"

arethereanyleftatall · 05/04/2026 18:21

In answer to your question, neither of my dds were like that, no.
I don’t think I ever directly said it, but they would have known that saying ‘I’m bored’ wouldn’t have been an option.
if memory serves, they played a lot with og type dolls around that age, had loads of play dates and did their respective sports 5 or so hours a week. I don’t think I would ever have been expected to play with them by that age. Still read them stories so that would have been the major time together.
I have no answer for how to deal with it btw, sorry, sounds tough.

rubyslippers · 05/04/2026 18:20

She needs to start to play on her own / do things a bit independently
Does she have play dates / cousins etc
does she enjoy reading or creating
maybe get a project or similar from hobby craft which she can do on her own and needs minimal supervision

Fidgety31 · 05/04/2026 18:18

She needs to learn to occupy herself . Sounds like you need to be a bit firmer with saying no to her .