To let DCs veg out and not leave the house

[shesgrownhorns]

This has been our day:

DD(9) went for a riding lesson first thing, came home and did some experimental cooking which took an hour or so, DS (11) has been glued to the X box playing farming simulator all day. Dd is now watching you tube on her phone. This is probably all we'll do now for the rest of the day. I've been doing the usual housework, DH is at work.

AIBU not to have gone out somewhere or something? Does anyone else just let their kids veg out and not do anything? I feel very guilty.

We met a friend at 1 for vermouth (to celebrate her finishing exams), which turned into an impromptu lunch at hers with another child thrown in, tons of lego allover the floor, ow watching Lego Batman film on netflix.

We'll leave in 20 mins or do and go home, via Spar, to chill out more. This week has been loooooong and tiring, next weekend we're off on our holidays. DS will have done 14 weeks of school with no break (Spain, they don't do half terms). So Lego and TV is a well deserved use of our time!

Your kids don’t need to have structured activities 24/7, they really don’t. Being left to their own devices sometimes is one of the best things you can do. At uni or when they move out, they’re not going to have someone putting on constant entertainment for them!

I think your ds should get some fresh air and exercise even for half an hour and do something to help around the house as xboxing all day doesn't seem very healthy or constructive!

What ziggie said.

I'm not sure how we've come to a point where parents feel guilty for not micromanaging their kid's downtime.

My mum had 5 of us. I cannot imagine her doing that. We just entertained ourselves and each other, just like our friends did.

In fact this is how kids learn valuable skills, like sorting out their own arguments and organising their own games.

We love a lazy day here.

I feel sorry for kids who are never allowed to veg it must be exhausting having to constantly 'do something'

we have a mix of both when they're on holiday.
Your dd seems to have it right, some activity every day is best.
Do you have a garden to encourage ds to take some activity or even sit and read a book in the lovely sunshine.
i agree you don't have to micro manage their time, it does them good to do things for themselves.

For one day, no problem. I thought you were going to say for the whole school holidays.

None of us are getting dressed or leaving the house today. Everyone has been on electronics all day, DH and I included (currently watching House in bed!) Curry takeaway tonight.

We have younger kids but they're in full time childcare and we're starting to realise they really don't want to do much on Saturday. They're tired!

Today they have pottered about in the garden a fair bit. But the rest of the time they've been in the playroom.

Tomorrow we'll do outside activities. But all children need to recharge.

DS and me are both unwell so this is day 2 of watching TV, reading and the odd crafty activity (slime making and maybe that black snake thing)

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/05/screen-time-has-little-effect-on-teenagers-wellbeing-says-study

I thought it was interesting, though haven't looked into it extensively.

When we were kids we were all left to our own devices most of the time (unless my childhood was drastically different to everyone else's?) and we turned out ok.

I know the days of playing out in the street are long gone but it's still fine for kids to entertain themselves for a while.

We chill out too much.... but i thinks so worth it. Just not worrying about getting anywhere. Spending time togeher. Kids play and do as they wish. We do trips out but not as much as some. We are happy at home. Dont see why thats a problem