Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

For not wanting to sit and watch movies/dvds all the time?

16 replies

SineadTemptation · 14/05/2011 09:26

DS(10) likes me to sit and watch DVDs with him. Thing is it's the same films over and over again and he insists on it pretty much every day. The thing is I have so much to do, very little time to myself, housework to get on with, assignments to write - AIBU in feeling fed up with the whole dvd thing? I do feel guilty because I know he's just bored and wants to spend time with me but a saturday morning, things need to be done - I can't just sit in the living room for 2 and a half hours watching something we've seen four or five times before

AIBU? what do other 10 year olds do to occupy themselves?

OP posts:

HattiFattner · 14/05/2011 09:31

YANBU. Does you child have some SN?
If not, just get on with stuff, and let him watch his TV. Plan something later in the day (a walk, trip to the park, swimming) for later in the day and tell him you are getting on with jobs.

At 10, he is a year away from senior school and should have some ability to entertain himself without mummy sitting with him,

Plus its summer! Switch off the TV by 9am and tell him to go play in the garden/on his bike/in the local park etc.

TV on a gorgeous sunny day is a waste of a day.

WobblyWidgetOnTheScooper · 14/05/2011 09:32

YANBU, he should be out running around or playing really. Is he getting any exercise?

handsomeharry · 14/05/2011 09:34

My DS is very busy on a Saturday from about half ten onwards. Up to the point we leave he pretty much lazes about.

He doesn't expect me to sit with him but I am more than happy for him to do it as he is so busy for the rest of the day.

Your DS is 10 - can you explain to him that Saturday morning is a busy time for you but you will spend time with him later in the day - perhaps doing something more productive?

If you have a garden could he go out and play? Are you on a busy road - could he go out on his bike if its safe?

Are there things he could be doing to help you in the house for a bit of extra pocket money?

beesimo · 14/05/2011 10:32

Are you crackers no 10 year DS should be setting out terms what he's going to do let alone dictating to his DM what she should be doing.

Give him a list of jobs to do Sat a.m ones that he is capable of doing alone while you get on, then teach him one new life skill, for example how to sew a shirt button on. He should be using his down town not wasting it.

Then when jobs have been completed to your satisfaction praise the bairn and THEN reward with dvd, or better still because you have got through your work as well go to the park or swimming ect as a family.

Hopefully it will be a win win win situation you get your jobs done, DS learns something and then you can enjoy yourselves together.

LilQueenie · 14/05/2011 10:34

yanbu get him into other stuff now or it could remain forever. My DP does this!

Laquitar · 14/05/2011 10:49

My ds is same age as yours. He (and his sisters) go to language school on saturday from 9am to 1.30pm, then dh picks them up and usually go iceskating or swimming or drops them at birthday parties. That leaves me free to do things. i.e. mumsnetting

Would your son like to join a class or sport team?

On the other hand if he is very busy all the week it is not the end of the world to watch a dvd and take it easy on sat. We do this on sundays.

CurrySpice · 14/05/2011 10:59

You either leave him to watch himself, or encourage him to do something more constructive. No way would I let a 10yo tell me what to do!! I only watch a DVD with the DDs when I want a snooze

TrillianAstra · 14/05/2011 11:00

There are two issues here

1 - you don't want to watch the films

2 - you don't want your DS to be watching them all the time either

For 1 I just wonder why, if watching TV is what he wants to do, he can't do it alone?

upahill · 14/05/2011 11:05

Doesn't he have friends calling for him to play out?

If we are around on Saturdays there is normally a constant stream of kids coming through our house from about 10.00am onward and/or the phone ringing while the kids sort out who is sleeping over at whose house and where they are going to ride their bikes/play football etc.

Laquitar · 14/05/2011 11:07

OP didn't say that he is watching 'all the time'. I might be wrong but i read it as 'every sat'. He might be busy the rest of the week?

We need more info OP.

Dropdeadfred · 14/05/2011 11:13

'and he insists on it pretty much every day'
it is all the time then...not good! does he have problems at school/with friends?

CurrySpice · 14/05/2011 11:14

I don't need more info. I have no problem with him watching DVDs on a Saturday morning. Knock yourself put son! Just think he ibvu to expect mom to watch too

Dropdeadfred · 14/05/2011 11:14

curryspice..the op says 'every day'

Laquitar · 14/05/2011 11:18

Oh sorry! i missed the 'every day'.

Buda · 14/05/2011 11:22

Well my DS is almost 10 and is an only child. He does sometimes like me to sit with him to watch TV.

But he also plays on Playstation or computer or out on trampoline or on his bike.

Sometimes he asks me to sit with him for company and if I can I will. If I can't I will tell him I am busy and he is fine with that.

What happens if you say that you need to do something?

sleepingsowell · 14/05/2011 11:50

I can understand where your DS is coming from - it's companionable and nice to sit and watch films together - and it's very normal for children to want to watch the same films over and over.

If a child has a sibling, often they'll sit and watch together, and/or indulge in some light bickering, the odd cushion fight, or even just be in the same room doing different things - it's just this companionability (if that's a word!) that your DS is seeking, imo.

I think I would be tempted to put in an early Saturday morning activity - tennis, swimming, a long walk - and then when you are done with that, make clear it's fine for him to flop in front of a DVD but you have things to do.

And then perhaps make Saturday night 'movie night' where he can guarantee you'll sit and watch with him.

Flip