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Original poster

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

289 replies

Plimos · 13/06/2023 07:31

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?

OP posts:
wildfirewonder · 13/06/2023 07:53

Plimos · 13/06/2023 07:47

Thank you for your comments, they have made me feel better. He is an only child so I worry about him not having friends. He doesn't really seem fussed that's the thing - we have a massive family who he spends a lot of time with so I think that helps.

Happy is the person of any age who can follow their own interests and feel secure.

Remember the tortoise and the hare. Your son is laying down excellent brain foundations.

Many computer games deliver nothing in terms of either emotional well-being or brain development. Many young people who over-use (not use) screens have negative impacts on mood etc.

Trust in him - if he is happy, he is happy.
If he says to you he is unhappy, you will deal with it. But don't imagine he is unhappy if he is not.

Maybe he is just very secure.

Beatrixpottersdog · 13/06/2023 08:01

It's the other kids that are weird!
Their parents need to go cold turkey and sort their screen addictions out. 7 year olds are little children who should be enjoying everything in the real world.
He sounds like what a perfectly normal 7 year old has always been... I suspect the others will end up with mental health issues when older. Don't push him to be like that.
He's absolutely fine, and sounds like one of thr few children in the year group who is a absolutely fine. He isn't young for his age at all. I wouldn't even say the others are old for their age, I'm sure they're still immature, potentially more so, but they have problems around screen addiction which is resulting in them not behaving in a developmentally appropriate way,/ engaging fully with the world around them. It's scary what screens can do.

thebabessavedme · 13/06/2023 08:06

Sounds like he is very happy at school, don't home school him because of this.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

7 year olds Behaviour & development Families
Beatrixpottersdog · 13/06/2023 08:06

Plimos · 13/06/2023 07:53

When we had to homeschool during covid he was so happy that I almost considered continuing with it, but it just felt too frightening to do.

I know a few homeschooled children 'still' playing with dolls etc at 12 even if they're more into other Pursuits.
Excellent emotional intelligence because they don't have the pressure to go against developmentally appropriate behaviour. It's great for a child to naturally outgrow these things rather than feeling like they should stop.
You can look into your local home ed community and see what groups there are etc.

RafaistheKingofClay · 13/06/2023 08:07

He sounds exactly right for his age. I’d be more concerned if he had no interests but being in front of a screen. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.

Original poster
Plimos · 13/06/2023 08:08

He's happy enough at school but he's definitely happier at home and out in the community if that makes sense - the peer groups he enjoys socialising with most are those he sees out of school - the kids at art and drama club (neither of which are linked to school), beavers, his many many many cousins etc.

Anyway I'm glad to see that others don't think he's too young for his age!

OP posts:
Original poster
Plimos · 13/06/2023 08:10

I think given the option he would just read all day to be honest.

OP posts:
BuffaloCauliflower · 13/06/2023 08:12

@Plimos he sounds perfect, I’d be more worried about the kids who only want to play on screens. They’re growing up too fast. Art and imagination games and toys are wonderful. The issue is these other parents, not your son.

And you absolutely could home educate, it generally looks nothing like lockdown homeschool and a lot more like freedom. Maybe join some national and local Facebook home ed groups and see what’s going on near you? The back catalogue of the podcast Home Ed Voices is worth a listen too 🙂

HAF1119 · 13/06/2023 08:13

To be honest as they've commented on yours I'd be a bit blunt in reply so they know not to in future - not rude but I would say

'He's happy being off screens and being creative and I'm very proud of who he is' then turn my back on them and not engage further

RafaistheKingofClay · 13/06/2023 08:13

He sounds lovely OP.

I suspect he’s happier in groups out of school because those children have a more normal and wider range of interests. If he’s happy enough at school I’d leave him there.

TooManyPlatesInMotion · 13/06/2023 08:14

My daughter is 6, nearly 7, and sounds like this. The comments you have received are bullshit. Kids are different and have different interests!

I wonder if they would make these comments about your son if he were a girl - or would they consider it more "acceptable" that a girl was into art and reading instead of gaming? I suspect they would think it fine.

They are talking shite. Immensely rude.

jannier · 13/06/2023 08:14

Parents seem to ditch the toys early to avoid mess it's tidier and easier and quieter to plug them into gadgets. Then they don't know how to do anything else.
I wonder if they say adults with hobbies are young for their age too?

NooNakedJacuzziness · 13/06/2023 08:16

I think it's so so sad that a 7 year old is deemed too young - I have pants older than him!! What a very strange view - ignore them and keep encouraging him OP, he sounds absolutely fine to me.

FrostyFifi · 13/06/2023 08:17

He sounds like a delightful little boy having a healthy childhood.

Abricot1983 · 13/06/2023 08:29

The other parents are insecure. They are the ones who have bought gaming consoles rather than books for their children and they and society will be worse off for it. Wasn't is one of the tech billionares who said they dont allow screens for their children? Bill Gates I think?

Forestfriendlygarden · 13/06/2023 08:31

Perhaps someone is jealous? We all have our shadow side (Jung)

The activities your son is involved in are very likely to be extremely good for brain development. Not saying gaming isn't necessarily, but too much of anything can't be a good thing...

Coronationstation · 13/06/2023 08:32

My nephew is 8 going on 9 and does all these things still (apart from art club which isn’t his bag at all)! I think it’s more that other kids are given too much in the way of computer games etc when too young.

Quisto · 13/06/2023 08:35

He sounds lovely and perfectly normal for 7. My son didn't even have electronic games at that age and enjoyed everything your son does. He was also the only boy who went an after school yoga club. Nobody bullied him for it.

UpUpUpU · 13/06/2023 08:37

The other parents are just jealous your child isn’t glued to the Xbox. Just ignore them

DickieAttenborough · 13/06/2023 08:40

He sounds great. TBH I think limited or no screen time is pretty normal for a 7yo- I don't think it's "young" at all.

Mariposista · 13/06/2023 08:40

Playing with toys is totally normal for a 7 year old! We are screen free with our kids (4 and 8) and they both play with toys, do crafts, sports, read etc. He sounds like a great lad - it's the others with the problem!

Marblessolveeverything · 13/06/2023 08:41

My nine year old would be art and Lego mad and thankfully is in a class of similar minded children. I think he may have been a little unfortunate with not having his tribe in school. But it is clear he has them outside, long may it last.

planthelpadvice · 13/06/2023 08:42

How weird that parents would comment on this to you directly and how weird that his peers, at 7, only play computer games. Most 7 year olds that I know are exactly like your DS - they have a wide range of interests. Sure by the time they get to the end of primary this shifts, but in year 2/3 most kids enjoy doing a lot of different things.

DontJudgeAnother · 13/06/2023 08:44

My DS is 7 and likes all of the things you mention. He also really, really loves Minecraft and Xbox etc but does plenty of playing, singing, dancing, arty stuff. Just normal kids stuff. They are still very little!

Recently he decided he wanted to take his bunny (soft toy) to school and when he got there and stood in line, all of his friends took turns giving it a cuddle 😁 they're still so young and innocent.

MzHz · 13/06/2023 08:46

Plimos · 13/06/2023 07:41

Mostly other school parents!

Show quote history

Tell them to pack it in! It’s none of their business and it’s all about what makes our kids happy and relaxed. They have no right to judge him