How to get a 9 year old to have any sort of interest but TV and xbox?

[pompompurin]

I will say this is my younger sister, but still, it drives the whole family crazy that she spends the entire day gormless in front of the TV! (Or on her phone/tablet on TikTok or Instagram or whatever else)

My mum isn't doing anything about it because when she does attempt to disconnect the house for a day, my sister will spend the entire time in the kitchen following my mum around calling her nasty, mean, etc. or begging to food to eat out of boredom.

She has a bedroom full of toys, games, books, things she could do independently, but won't even give them a go. Once I bought her a jigsaw puzzle, she convinced my mum to do it with her and spent the entire time complaining that the first pieces she chose wouldn't fit and that she wasn't doing it anymore because it was boring.

I've been trying to help her find something that interests her, like I showed her Horrible Histories on TV, but when I tried to give her a few of the old books and magazines she refused them.

I'm currently 18, but I could've swore that at that age I spent the majority of the day either reading or playing with Sylvanian Families, or outside with friends. I probably watched something on CBBC at the weekend and played on my DS sometimes, but usually I only watched Eastenders and half of Masterchef in the evening with my gran and mum and then I was off to bed! When I told my sister she said I 'can't understand what it's like to live in the modern age'!

Essentially, I really do want some advice on what to do with her. It can't be good for her to be sitting in front of a screen all day and interests and hobbies are a nice thing to have. I'm really hoping for some wisdom here.

(Sorry for the rambling post)

I think it's sad that horrible histories is viewed as too juvenile. My 10 year old loves it and is currently watching operation ouch.

What extra curricular activities does she do?
Could she join a swimming club or some other sport or brownies maybe

I think your sister is very lucky to have you looking out for her best interests.

For the screen time, I have an eight and ten year old and both would be on screens all day and evening if I let them. They are allowed 40 minutes after school and then a bit longer on weekends and that's it. They get to choose when to use their time and we set a timer and stick to it.

Also, we all love HH in our house!

I think you are great for showing such an interest in your sister!! Is it worth showing this thread to your mum so she can see that the majority of the posters feel, like you, that your sister needs more healthy stimulus in her life? I does sound like whatever you do, you'll have to cope with the fall out, but surely your sister needs to learn that other things can be fun and so a few days of tackling the problem with the moaning and tantrums will be more beneficial in the long run. Good Luck!!

Sadly OP you are not in control of it. The way to avoid this is to have very strict time limits or, as we do, say it’s only at weekends and then for a very short period. Vow to do this when yo become a parent but it sounds like your parents haven’t had purpled parental controls in place and are using it as a pacifier/babysitter. If that’s the case, your sister has no chance does she?

My eldest (10)will moan about our restrictions. If it goes beyond a reasonable (polite) objection then there is a short ban. It’s a total non negotiable in our house. It’s limited for health reasons and if you whinge about it it will be removed completely for a time. Same for if they don’t come off when I say time is up (I Always give a five minute warning) - there is a ban As a penalty. No ifs or buts, no shouting, just removal of the iPad. That keeps things in check. The boundaries are very clear and carried out strictly so there is no room for misunderstanding.

As with all things, it’s a simple discipline issue. Some people Make things very hard for themselves here, but with tech it is creating a monster too, a generation which cannot entertai themselves or socialise without a screen. That’s quite a frightening prospect for when they become adults.