To think I shouldn't need to constantly entertain my 10 year old?

[MuthaInsuperior]

I started a full time degree last week and so my timetable was hectic and tiring and I was looking forward to the weekend to just chill out a bit. I went out for the first time in ages last night (My mum looked after the kids) but even then I deliberately limited my alcohol intake and made sure I was home earlyish so that I could pick the kids up early today and take them to the cinema and Mcdonalds as a treat. We got back about 1pm today and ever since my 10 year old has been following me around saying he's bored, can we go out somewhere, what can we do etc etc. I've tried explaining to him that I don't have the money to constantly galavant all over the place and it cost me a fair bit for the cinema and lunch this morning. Aside from that I have tons of housework to do (stuff that I got behind with whilst at uni such as laundry) as well as actual work from uni. I wouldn't mind but he has an xbox, TV (with sky so tons to chose from), his bike, a trampoline in the garden, skateboard etc. yet I feel I'm expected to constantly entertain him like a toddler.
I know someone will say "take him to the park" but believe me - when I do that we're there 10 minutes before he's saying he's bored and doesn't know what to do, plus all the parks are a drive away from us and I really can't spare the petrol.
AIBU to think a 10 year old shouldn't be so reliant on his mum for entertainment?

Yes - they soon learn to find something to do by themselves when you start saying things like 'Well, that's great! I need someone to clean the car/tidy the garage/empty the dishwasher'.... you wont see him for dust!

But first of all I'd try to help him find something he fancies doing - I think Zests list is brilliant. Many of us don't have a lot of spare time - it's hard to remember having the time to be bored, but I do remember saying 'I want something to do....' (meaning going out, craft project etc Mum would make a few suggestions then offer me some of her jobs ).

There is a lad that lives opposite us that DS often plays with but he's rarely in, he does lots of activities (Rugby etc) that DS won't do.
He doesn't know the other kids in this area as we are quite far from his school.

He sounds like he might be looking for a bit of attention from you? You sound so busy, have you had less time than usual with the kids. Do you have any 'special' time together ever? My almost 10 year old gets clingy and whiny if she feels she needs to 'connect' with me a bit. Going out as a family is definitely not the same as just her and I doing something together. I try and play a game with her for 20 minutes or she helps me with what I'm doing if possible.

Zest is there any chance you'd C&P or take a photo of the list so we can read all of it - it sounds brilliant :)

In fact it's inspired me to get off of MN & do some of those things myself (with an adult twist) :)

I have noticed that when I do something indulgent (like cinema in the morning) my 10 year old will be far more demanding than usual afterwards. RL isn't enough for her after a treat. If I point this out she starts to feel guilty and then gets upset. Does anyone else notice this pattern?

He doesn't know where his friends live and he's 10? What sort of apocalyptic hell hole do you live in?

Hand him the Marigolds and tell him to get helping.

If he doesn't want to do that, tell him to clear off and give you peace.