I have 2 DS - 1 of 15, 1 of 13. First week of lockdown, we tried to set a schedule that included at least a 20 min walk round the streets every day. Didn't last long - not surprising as it's boring and, once school work is done, kids have other ideas for passing the time (video games, phones etc). Then for a while they played with DH in the garden but balls kept going over the fence and weren't returned so stopped that. Since then, we've managed one family walk a week on a Sunday, for about an hour and a half. DS 13 can be persuaded to go out sometimes with his Dad and has generally been quite happy to help out in the garden / allotment and has been riding the exercise bike. Really struggle with DS 15 though: can't get him out of the house - he won't even go and sit in our lovely garden. He commutes between his bedroom and the outdoor games room. Doesn't even bother having lunch most days. I've tried talking to him about routine/fresh air etc and they've had lots of encouragement and advice from school about staying healthy but he's taking no notice. He's going to bed later and later, struggling to get up in the morning etc. Now that it's half-term, I had really hoped we might get out somewhere every day (maybe by car, a little further than just our local neighbourhood) but it's not looking promising. We can't force him. And I don't want to 'threaten' him with - say - no screen time if he doesn't have a walk as his life is probably crap enough as it is, and I don't want any rows. I guess I should just leave him to his own devices, as long as he's doing his school work (which he is)?
I'm worried, of course, that he's depressed. But he's full-on sulky teen and doesn't talk much, so maybe it's all just normal teenage stuff. I'm also worried what the long-term effects of no exercise or fresh air has on the growing mind and body. I'll be quite glad if he gets back to school at some point as at least then he'll get a brisk 15-min walk there and back. He's not hugely sporty but on a normal school day would have a kickaround with his classmates at lunchtime. To go from that to absolutely nothing is worrying.
Should I just calm down?!