AIBU to expect quieter after-school time for my only child?

[Enjoyingmyicecream]

I'm a proud mum of one and count myself very lucky to have my DS. I'd have loved a bigger family but due to significant primary and then secondary infertility we'll be a one child family. I have largely made peace with this, and I am in the fortunate position to work school hours from home and being able to spend lots of quality time with him. Here's the thing- my son is constantly seeking adventure (he's 7) and wants entertainment and other kids to play with (which really doesn't help my feelings of guilt about "not giving him a sibling", which I know I can't do anything about anyways) after school. We do have lots of play dates and fun things to including Beavers and swimming, but I also just want to stay home and play there. If relevant, DS is also suspected to have mild ADHD.

I have an older sibling but didn't have much interaction with them when I was a child, I loved to just hang around the house after school. AIBU to think that my child can't always expect me to provide tons of entertainment after school and that gardening together etc is also a valid form of spending after school time?

Yes, but its common for parents to only see the brunt of issues for high masking children. My ADHD child is beautifully behaved at school but self harms in ways that are hidden and no other parents would know. He also struggles with sleeping, eating,.intrusive thoughts, horrendous RSD, suicidal ideation etc and now rarely attends school. Its not something that is on the radar of parents or teachers like a child that is disruptive. But it has an impact on the family and him that is absolutely enormous.

Definitely true, I have a similar(ish) child though he does have significant learning difficulties which are acknowledged by all. The distress not being acknowledged by school is causing all kinds of issues though, and it's destroying our home life again. So I definitely believe you. I probably misunderstood what I was replying to. It's been a hell of day.

This is around the age when my son started enjoying reading by himself. Before that, he wanted near-constant interaction with us, which was very tiring. Does he like to read?