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?

For heaven's sake, since when should 7 year olds not play with toys?! My son is almost 9 and enjoys all the things yours does. He doesn't do art club because there isn't one, but he loves to draw and art is one of his favourite subjects at school. Also, why does enjoying reading make him young for his age? I like reading and I'm 43 We have a PlayStation and he'll sometimes play Minecraft, but that's pretty rare. He does lots of sport, plays imaginary games, reads and draws. He's also my youngest, so not like he's being influenced by younger siblings.

In contrast, our neighbour's son is 12 and games so much that he's on it from the time he gets home to the time he goes to bed. We never see him outside and he does no sport or clubs outside school. I know which I'd rather for my son! Those school parents sound like tossers, OP!

I try and get mine to avoid too much screen time.
So we dont have a games console or tablet. I also avoid letting them on my phone.

They would happily sit and play on my phone all day long.

So at 9 if they arent allowed screen time, what are they expected to do in their free time apart from play?

He sounds like a perfectly normal 7 year old. It's a very sad world if a 7 year old is too old to play with toys.

Your son sounds wonderful- my DS at 7 was into the WWE wrestling and play mobile stuff he would spend hours playing with his action wrestlers and building the play mobile sets. I think what your son is doing sounds fab and these other parents need to stop being so bloody spiteful. My DS is now 19 and games, reads, works, goes to the pub, e football and is perfectly fine - so I am sure your little lad will be too xx

sorry meant to say plays football!

My 13yo (only) DD is young for her age and I'm not a bit bothered. She has found a group of similarly-innocent friends at high school and is doing just fine.

She doesn't have any social media. She likes reading, drama, climbing, nature and dogs.
Other parents have made the odd comment over the years but I'm extremely proud of how she's growing up.

If the parents are coming tonyou and saying he's been left out because of what he likes and that all the kids are involved with it. Then I feel they are encouraging bullying! They are singling him out and the parents are helping (I get they prob done mean too) maybe they should encourage there kids to play with them instead of teasing and instead of there own kids sitting in front of a TV!. Why are the school not interested in this behaviour I get your son does notice or if he does sounds like he doesn't mind! But that'll soon change come secondary. Xx

He sounds like a wonderfully well adjusted 7yr old to me.

But people are making me feel that his interests are too "young" and that's why he gets left out of things at school.

I don't think it's true, children can have different interest and still have friends. Are the people who are telling you negatives really your friend? If not, I would ignore their remarks.
My dc had unusual interest compared to others, and struggled socially at early stage. But it was nothing to do with his interest, more to do with his social skills. He is still a quirky child, but has many great friends who gets him now. The change came in KS2. Children got more mature and started to respect difference.

Many children are being forced to grow up quicker than they need to. Sometimes it’s older siblings that they start copying so get into things earlier. Sometimes it’s the parents. I’m not massively sure how much it is the children themselves. Some of them it will be peer pressure from their friends.

I remember when my youngest was in nursery many of them had siblings in the same year as my eldest - 3 years older so year 2 and either 6/7 years old. A lot of them were donating their baby dolls and prams to the nursery whilst my eldest was still playing with hers. Some were donating barbie type dolls which I always felt was a move on from baby dolls as they’re fiddlier to play with. My eldest wasn’t really playing with hers yet. Actually she never really got into them much but I recall I was still playing with my Sindy house up to to middle school at least - so age 9/10.

I also ended up in a conversation last summer when my daughter was turning 10. Another mother was talking about her upcoming 10 year old’s birthday list she wanted. Both summer august babies. Mine was wanting squishmallows, fidget toys, art supplies, crafting things. Her was wanting designer clothes, shoes, handbags, make up, mail appointments, expensive jewellery. I was slightly shocked. Even turning 11 and 14 this summer neither of my kids are that bothered about designer clothes. Eldest refers to the mean cliquey girls at school wearing those and she’s not like that. Lol.

Your son sounds very sweet.

And how rude of whoever it was to say that to you. It's probably sour grapes. Most parents would love to have a boy who was into art and reading rather than whining for the iPad.

If you're happy with how he's doing, his teachers are happy and he's happy, I really don't see the problem. He sounds like a well-adjusted 7 year old child to me.

And I really detest people saying things like 'that's for girls'. How unbelievably ignorant. If anything the arts are a male-dominated sphere where it is harder for women to get their work pushed forward. It's the same as the knobs who snigger at the idea of men being into cooking and don't think about how most of the best kitchens in the world are run by male chefs.

He sounds like he might well grow up to be deeply creative, good at art and writing and maybe music too. I wish him well, and he doesn't have to change for anybody. Let him continue being who he is, he sounds wonderful.

Kids do go through a change around 7.
I see a lot of peer pressure to be too old for toys etc.

I swear half them at my school love toys still but also like pretending they don't.

My family are big toys lovers. We never got that stage but my eldest did get teased a bit and did pretend to not like so much sometimes, which is sad, but not the end of the world.

I have boy/girl twins. They’re 9. My girl (god knows how) is super fashionable, super popular, makes friends at the drop of a hat, is into all the ‘right’ things. My boy still cuddles his teddies and loves them wholeheartedly, isn’t particularly ‘masculine’, loves art and is utterly different to the boys in his class. It’s SO hard, especially because he gets to see his twin who is just accepted by everyone and he doesn’t get why he’s not. He gets picked on a lot too. I have lots of chats with him about managing it and I force the school (they’re pretty crap) to support him. I tell him all the time that what makes life hard now will make him so appreciated later in life. I was an absolute odd ball growing up but I now have the loveliest life, with the best friends (one of which I’ve had since I was 11). Ignore the haters, be proud your son is lovely 🥰

Bollocks, he sounds very mature, it's the others with xbox addictions that aren't. Classic example of people feeling threatened because they assume anyone being different denigrates their own choices.
How is your boy? Does he give a shit? If he's happy stop listening to anyone else.

I'm absolutely baffled.
I just can't understand how another parent would ever come to make comment on another child's preferences for play.
His choices sound fine and far from unique.

Right?!

I teach Year 2, and am a parent of 3 older boys myself. You and your child are doing just fine. He sounds awesome and please let him stay enjoying what he is doing for as long as possible. They grow up and change so fast x

Sounds like a perfectly normal 7 year old to me! My DD is 7 and she is currently obssesed with bluey! Have a almost 3yo as well and I catch her having a sneaky watch when coco melon and things like that are on. I will admit she’s a bit to into her screen time. She has a switch as well but all she wants to play is the sports game so at least she’s moving about! She also goes to dancing, swimming and a different after school club each term. She has just started comic book writing at school and I wondered whether it would be quite boy heavy but she said there were a lot of girls, so seems a shame not more boys are doing the art club at your sons school. My DD mostly plays imaginary games still as well. As long as your son is happy just ignore the stupid comments and just do you!

The little boys who just play Minecraft all day are probably dim and one dimensional. Its great that your son enjoys reading and art! And Lego....grown adults still do Lego! I would be happy if my kid was like yours 🙂

Oh I wish my son still wants to play with toys!! 5yr old and obsessed with iPad- would be on it constantly if allowed. My godson who is nearly 10only stopped playing with dinosaurs about a year ago and still loves hot wheels, it’s perfectly normal and very healthy. Not other parents business either! He sounds like a well rounded boy. If doesn’t interact with class friends much it would be worth seeing if some after school/ out of school clubs such as lego club or beavers/scouts where he may find more likeminded friends. I hate this whole having to be friends with kids just cos you were born in the same academic year! I didn’t find my tribe until I went to college then work as just didnt have much in common with classmates

My 9 year old nephew and quite frankly lots of adults like Bluey 😅. And Maddie is very educational! Your son sounds perfect, make make he doesn't think he isn't. No one has the right to pass comment and it's strange of them to do so! I wouldn't dream of commenting about another child's interests like that. Kids grow up too fast, let him enjoy what he enjoys for however long. I remember still wanting to play with babies when I was 11 and keeping it a secret from my friends as it was definitely considered "babyish" by then. I grew out of it not long after.

*barbies

Well if the parents are rude then it explains why their kids are bullies!
toys and reading are normal healthy hobbies for 7 year olds!.

Ignore them I love that your son knows how to play and actually use his mind. We have a 13 and he still loves lego, loves going to the woods climbing etc lol but he doesn't sit in front of gaming all night like half of his friends seem to do. Think half the kid population have forgotten what play is and how to make there own fun. I mean youngest son is almost 3 yet all but 1 of his little friends already have there own gaming tablets. I find it bizarre. Do not feel weird feel proud you brought your boy up a good healthy way.

Ps. If you able to defo go homeschooling 13 loves it and plan on doing it for our 3 under 3...myself and my siblings all home taught loved it and we clearly didn't do to badly as my brothers all have there own businesses I have my own career as does my sister so all good