7 year old doesn’t want to play with me anymore

[Rollonautumnalthings]

Is this a normal thing, this young?

Dd recently turned 7, she would often ask to play games, role play etc and we’d do it sometimes (my preference is more crafts, baking, days out) but she enjoyed it, so i’d try my best.
Since turning 7, she hasn’t asked this and I noticed the other day when I asked if she wanted to play (in a bid to stop her complaining of being bored as I’d turned the tv off and we were having a day in) she said no, she’s also stopped holding my hand when out.
I realise this time comes and I need to accept it, but I didn’t think it would be so abrupt and so young?
Does it normally happen this young?
Feeling a bit sad tbh!

Anyone?

What does she want to do instead?

Oh gosh, poor you. But be proud of yourself. She's learning to be more independent and the 'boredom' stage is all part of that. It's really normal, but it does feel like a rejection, doesn't it? Give her space, (as you are doing) and she'll know you're there for her. Those years of playing together have been such a good foundation for her. Does she have friends to play with?

Yes she has friends over every weekend, she definitely prefers playing with them, which is understandable 😂gives me a break too. But I’ve noticed a sort of pulling away and she’s started saying i’m going to sit upstairs by myself, I just respect that and leave her to it, but it seems sudden and a bit young maybe?

I suggest all sorts, she wants to watch tv or go on my phone to play games (if not playing with her friends) but I don’t want her doing that all the time

I assume she's not upstairs with a phone?

No def not
We start to play something and she’ll just get bored and stop, trying to make myself more fun 🙈

Might she like a conversation rather than a game? Maybe ask her opinion about things in a grown up way and take her answers seriously.

My 9 year old still wants to play with me. She doesn't ask much tbf but I think that's because I so often say no 🙁 it's so deathly boring though but I know I will feel gutted when she doesn't want to anymore so I'm sorry!
Maybe she's a bit screen addicted- will she play a boardgame or card game with you? I try to do that with mine as the pretend play is so tedious. Chess is the favourite at the moment.

I’m always encouraging board games & cards and we do do this, she would rather play on a phone, but she’s rarely allowed and I don’t even want her doing it for the time she does

We do chat too…I just feel a pulling away and not sure why

Mine is almost 8 and constantly asks to play games together and demands we hold hands all the time

That’s nice 💓

DD was 8 when she flew the nest (so to speak!) they come back sometimes! Arts and crafts etc normally bring us together lol

What did you notice her doing? Will she still hold hands/cuddle etc?

I find it hard to play the games he wants, I dont mind board games but cant do role play

I’d say my eldest was a similar age - but she has younger siblings who are loud and annoying and god knows I wish I could go to my room for some peace and quiet! She probably stopped a lot of handholding around then but then it re started again a couple of years later - I think age 7 is in an inbetween age - too young to play with a lot of toys but not old enough for the next stage and in terms of affection I think they start to find it a bit awkward and then had to find her own way of seeking, receiving and giving attention on her terms - hand holding for companionship rather than hand holding for crossing a road for example which is more for younger children and safety

My daughter is 8 will be 9 in Feb she loves playing school and mummy's and daddy's she would play for hours. Also baking and crafts but I feel like she is a bit more in to it than her friends she still likes dolls also.

I think it's normal to want a bit more independence once they reach junior school age - don't stress about it and keep offering different options for play - it's ok for her to want quiet time alone sometimes too. Be glad that she's wanting a bit more independence, it means she's secure and you're doing a good job!