What to do with older children/teens

[elliejjtiny]

I have an 11 year old and a 14 year old.

They just want to play computer games and watch tv all day. Obviously i don't let them do that but when i do anything with them they complain and whinge, especially the 11 year old. 14 year old will sometimes play in the garden for a bit and 11 year old sometimes likes to help with the food shopping but that's it. Whatever i do with them i can't wear them out, i end up knackered and they still don't sleep. The not sleeping thing has been going on for years but the GP and the paediatrician just said they sleep enough for their ages 6-7 hours and suggested things i already do. It's clearly not enough though. 11 year old has autism, 14 year old has autism and adhd.

I don't mind spending money on stuff but I'm reluctant to do anything expensive that they won't enjoy.

Swimming, bowling, cinema, book a tennis court for an hour or two, day out at the seaside, day out at a theme park, cycling, a day out in a city (depending where you live). Some gyms offer a day pass so could try that. Go visit stream and let them swim, get them to choose a recipe and let them cook it

Following :)

Do you mean in the school holidays or all the time? Do they have any hobbies/do any sports?

Thank you. A lot of things going on for children who are school age in our local towns involve us dropping them off and leaving them which we can't do due to their SEN. The dc hate it when we stay but everyone elses parents go, which is understandable.

We are going to a theme park later in the year. They both love swimming but it's very expensive for an hour and gets booked up really quickly so we could only get in for one session in the holidays. I'm wondering whether getting one of those giant paddling pools big enough to swim in would be better value for money as we have a big enough garden.

They love the seaside so we will try that. They aren't keen on walking round cities, they always moan that they are bored. We try and avoid the cinema as it doesn't tire them out but we will give bowling a try. They enjoy the SEN gym but it's closed at the moment so we will give the gym at the leisure centre a try.

Hobbies wise they both have piano lessons and chess club, and the 14 year old does the school play so there are rehearsals after school for about half the year. They used to do watersports but the club moved to somewhere 45 minutes drive away and as they were in different classes at different times (but on the same day) it didn't work so we had to give it up.

In my city you can get a swim pass for the whole summer for a really reasonable price- with inflatable sessions every week.
Were lucky.
what about making a journal? Sketching/ diary making?

Loads of berries at the moment- a foraging walk then baking?

If you have a big enough garden
basketball hoop
trampoline
outdoor exercise equipment
gym mats - cartwheels etc

Thank you. We already have a trampoline, huge climbing frame and a lazy spa.

im not sure anything can be done about sleep with ASD!? Magnesium? Sometimes it is part and parcel. 1 of mine is autistic but does sleep but it’s been a struggle! Her friend who is also autistic doesn’t sleep well. I know another mum with autistic girls and the one doesn’t sleep all night apart from a few hours. Not sure what to suggest but I’m fairly sure tiring them out doesn’t work unfortunately.