Comments on my 7 year old being "young" for his age?

[Plimos]

My just turned 7 YO has notably different interests to those of the majority of his peers. I feel like he doesn't have many friends because of this.

He spends most of his free time reading, drawing, doing lego and playing imaginary games. He has a Nintendo Switch which he likes but will do 30 minutes on it max before he gets bored. Whereas the other boys in his class seem to want to do nothing but play Minecraft, Roblox etc. I have had comments from other parents that my DS is very young for his age because he "still" plays with toys. At 7 surely he's fine to be playing with toys?!?! He has also been teased by the other children because he still watches some cbeebies programmes like Hey Duggee, Maddie, Bluey. He also likes some CBBC stuff and other things.

Academically he's fine, ahead in most areas. And I feel that he is emotionally mature. He seems perfectly happy. But people are making me feel that his interests are too "young" and that's why he gets left out of things at school. Any experiences?

Some of the greatest artists in the world are men.
I used to run home from school at 10 years old to watch Scooby doo.
Your child is normal, please dont listen to these other mums, kids grow up quick enough as it is, if hes happy leave him to be so.

What exactly do they think 7 year olds did before screen time existed? Goodness gracious. It sounds like jealousy if I am being honest, from both the bully children and the school parents. I couldn't for second imagine that My almost 6 year old will be finished with toys in a year. Just today he squealed with excitement in the toyshop picking out a hotwheels toy. He adores imaginative play and loves costumes especially and also loves reading lego etc. just presume he will be one of those cos play kids. He is quite innocent in his way but i also put that down ro being a sensitive first born child. When your child finds his tribe he will be right at home! Has he any interest in pokemon? Perhaps board games would suit him ? There are lots of clubs for those. Find a store that sells dungeon and dragons type of games and they will likely have clubs etc. I think he would love it as it is a mix of reading , learning, toys, imagination and also art where you collect and paint figurines etc. And it will be all like minded children and a hobby that will last a lifetime ( my OH is a warhammer fan , and it's not all needs, Henry Caville is also into warhammer)

My almost 6 year old watches the barbie films. I watch them with her out of choice, I’m 30 😂

My 9 yr old loves Lego and still watches octonauts with his sister. What’s the hurry to grow up anyway?

It’s so difficult not to worry about your kids but he’s happy, and that’s the main thing. You must be doing something right, he sounds fantastic, I’d be his friend 😂
I don’t have many friends but that is my choice. I get on with people just fine but only have a handful of people I’m close to outside of my family. I prefer being at home, that is where I’m comfortable.
I don’t drink which has caused MANY unnecessary comments over the years, usually that I’m boring (after they’ve established I’m not pregnant nor an alcoholic). Now I just reply that surely it’s the boring people that need a drink to have fun and they shut up.
I still worry that my personality will effect my kids as I’m not all pally with the other parents but so far my eldest has slotted in just fine and is happy to explore her interests whether her friends are doing it or not. Hopefully she’ll stay this way as I really do feel that’s how she’ll be truly content.

Sounds like you have a well balanced, happy little boy. Sod those parents who are critical. It's none of their business

I wouldn't worry unless he's unhappy or being bullied. Every child is different. And what does your child is young for his age mean? To me, it sounds like a sly dig and these types of comment always say more about the person making it than the person it's directed.

Sounds very like my only child DD. She played with 'toys' most of primary age - barbie, MLP, Monster High - she was an avid reader, art club, ballet, piano etc. She did lots of sleepovers and I hosted loads of them! The played happily by herself and has an amazing imagination. She watched CBBC beyond yr 6. She's 19 and will still sit down and watch the Barbie movies! The comments directed her way were the opposite of your DS but the intent was the same - your child is different ans doesn't for in. Numerous comments about how serious she was, very matire for her age, homely etc. All transparent 'digs'.

She's one of the most balanced happy young adults in her social circle. She's popular, at uni stysiynf something she's always loved and thriving. And she still completely enjoys time with herself, is a homebird and has 'weird' interests compared to the 'norm'.

Ignore them. They secretly wish their child was more like yours.

He sounds like a happy little boy with lovely interests. He just seems more introverted and creative which is why he enjoys lego, drawing, reading, using his imagination. Absolutely nothing wrong with this and it's great that you support his preferences.

You are describing my son. He plays with his toys all the time. He loves building legos, play with his dinosaurs, building train tracks … also loves reading, writing. If I let him play all the time he can fall asleep on the floor and wake up in the morning and carry on playing. He loves cbbc programs too. He is also 7.
we have never bought him any screen game like that.
We had a play date with his classmate once and his friend brought his game, sit on my sofa and played it for two hours. My son watched him playing and got bored and went to his room to play with his toys. I feel sad for some of the children so glued to the screen they can’t even socialised anymore.

They are being a bit weird. Your child should be 'playing' with real stuff for frickin' years yet.

My DD likes playing dolls and schools; she's 11. My DS is 13 and does like watching YouTube and playing videos to a certain extent, but he is a big fan of board games and reading. Both of them like Bluey 😂

My DS came under fire a bit for stuff like this at school at your DS's age; enjoying the Rainbow Magic books for example. He is a confident teenager now and has many friends, including from older year groups. I actually think it's quite childish to obsessively try to 'fit in'. You should be your own person. Your DS will be fine given you have his back 😊

Sounds fine to me. He is capable of independent thought. He does what he wants to do. Children have had a hard time over the last few years die to Covid restrictions. Let them be

Bluey is one of my favourite shows, and I'm 46.

I also enjoy playing with Lego - can highly recommend the botanicals sets.

I’m baffled when did screens become a good thing? when my kids were younger it was a constant fight, firstly to resist buying them one until they were older, then to keep the time on screens down! Your son sounds lovely I would be very happy if I was you. What he enjoys is much better for his brain development.

I'd honestly take no notice, your son sounds like he has a far better lifestyle than most kids. Playing with Lego and toys is always better than gadgets. As for cbeebies my 47 year old husband still watches it. Fact is a lot of kids still does at that age and it's more likely to be embarrassment that is hiding them saying this then the actual fact they aren't watching.

He sounds just lovely ( and clever, and interesting ) and I’d be so happy he wasn’t into the usual old shit boys tend to go for. Definitely not too young for toys, are the other parents mad? My now 23yr DS probably played with toys till he was much older, 11, 12, maybe older. He was an only child too, so maybe toys are more important. He wasn’t and still isn’t a blokey sort of boy and he has so many lovely female friends now.

My DS is just two and some of my friends are astounded how little screen time he has. I would very very much hope he will be exactly like your DS at 7! He’s got friends at art club and beavers, so he’s perfectly socially capable. If you’re really worried about fitting in I would encourage football or sport rather than the blasted screens. I imagine a lot of the parents making comments are feeling insecure about some of their parenting choices…..

He is happy, that is the most important thing. Children have different interests and that individuality should be encouraged, particularly if such interests are quite healthy and encourage creativity, opposed to hours of screen staring. What I would just worry about though is he if he starts feeling negatively affected by their friends' comments or behaviours towards him. If that becomes an issue it will be important to support him so they don't have his self-esteem. On the other hand, it might also be helpful to expose him to other interests that seem to appeal more to other kids, not to force them if he doesn't enjoy them of course, but to broaden his interests and develop potential interests he can share with others.

Complete madness - he sounds like a normal 7 year old doing normal 7 year old stuff.

My 7yo DS loves drawing and amongst other things likes drawing unicorns, kittens and other overtly cute things. Some boys tease him for drawing “girl stuff” but he takes them to task over the idea that there’s “boy stuff” and “girl stuff”.

Sounds more like the other parents have a problem not their kids and are projecting
My son's 7 and a half and yes he's actually "young for his age" due to special needs
He's into dinosaurs and dragons, Lego and watches octonaughts on his tablet..... The other kids might be into their gaming but they love it when he goes into the main class, they love to get on the floor with the Lego or chase him on the playground it's just regular fun kids stuff
When I grew up sans technology Lego was a big thing until teen age and beyond
I remember visiting a class mates house and watching him do judo moves in between building Lego

Children grow up far too quickly imo. My 11 year old would play on devices all day long if I let him. But guess what? If they're taken away he plays with toys 😱 lego, board games, wooden train track. As long as he's healthy and happy you've no need to worry xx

@Plimos Ds1 is 7, and also "young" for his age apparently. He also likes watching Maddie, and Waffle. He plays a lot, has a "geeky" interest. Is far ahead of his year group at school academically. He has a tablet but mostly watches videos to do with his interest, or does logic type puzzle or maths games. He reads a lot, goes to beavers, loves his cuddly toys, lego, drawing. He goes to dance club and loves music. His imagination knows no bounds. He's wonderful, kind and loving. Astonishingly clever.

He doesn't have a phone, xbox, or PlayStation. If that makes him young, then who cares? I don't.

I think your son sounds wonderful. He’s happy and bright and doing well at school. The other aren’t are jealous that their children can not entertain themselves and need all the electronics to keep them occupied. Keep doing what you’re doing and enjoy watching him grow.

I think it’s upsetting someone saying this. I’m pleased your boy doesn’t want to play those games you’ve described and is happy still being a little boy and not growing up too fast. I have girls so can only comment on their interests. My 7 year old girls loves barbies and roll play but I find those of her friends who have older siblings don’t and their play is less ‘young’.

He sounds like a lovely normal 7 year old and it is sad that other parents think "screen" is normal play. Let him be what he wants to be. You are doing a good job! 😊

I have tremendous sympathy for you. My son was like yours, and he’s got a PhD now and loads of friends. The comments are cruel and unnecessary. I’d take it up with the school though.