7 year old gets the others hyper!

[containher]

my 7 year old has no idea how to entertain himself- he doesn't like art work, doesn't like toys, infact anything, if he has to do it on his own, involving any imagination. My other children will all play calm games, board games, imaginary games, art work, they play with toys, alone or together. The problem is my 7 year old ( the eldest) can't stop interfering with the younger 3, he is so bored by his own company that he starts getting involved with their quiet calm games, and they all end up having a whale of a time AT MY EXPENSE. they are leaping, screaming, squaling, giggling, chasing, jumping and treating the house like an adventure playground. He is incapable of joining in with their imaginary games, without it turning into some frenzied -play fighting -super-hero LOUD chaotic ball of bodies and limbs and cushions!!! I feel bad, but I end up sending him to his room and with immediate effect calm is restored- but to be in his room is torture for him- he hates it and cries, and feels punished. Other than plugging him into the TV all day- I don't know what the solution is? I am strict about TV viewing, but after 7 years, I feel ready to give up and plug him in for the entire day. I feel bad as I keep pointing out to him that HE is the reason for the chaos, and when he isn't here the place is calm. And then I feel nasty and horrid.

I totally understand and feel for you, I am in the same situation with my own child. Very frustrating.
As soon as he comes away from school he asks...........sooooooo what are we going to do now? Am I going to have a child'day... as in what have you organised for me
Well come to think about it to be bored as never killed anybody and I firmly believe that a child doesnt even have the right to be bored (take it with pinch of salt)
All I can say is rid of the TV from his room, he is far to young to watch telly on his own and for too long
Get him a portable dvd player and let him watch only 1 movie every other day
It has been proved that too much video (computer or tv doesnt matter) has a devastating effect on children in particular boys and also responsible for precociousness (sexual) to the detriment for other development
Sounds to me like my child he need lots of manual work, I get him to paint, gather all his toys and change batteries (which I never do and he loves doing) making dig the garden or any manual house chore he is able to do, my one love hoovering (hey hey)
Get somebody else to look after your younger dc and take him out to do stuff with you alone
Sometime the only way to have peace with my son is to give him so much attention, sit down play with him for a bit and that quietly move away
Hard work still.. hope any of this help but help from more experienced mum very much apreciated
(sorry long post)

my 7 year old doesn't play imaginry games too but loves reading - captain underpants/horrible histories etc. Anything slimey and vile really. He also loves audio stories which we also get from the library. Then he also does lots of sport with friends/clubs to burn off his energy each day. Also car washing, turning soil, salting the paths, moving snow/leaves and cutting grass are great activities. Sounds to me like your son just needs an outlet for his energy - like many boys i know. I wouldn't go down the huge amounts of TV/play station games route as its so brain numbing and such an awful routine to get in to. I think 40mins on a Wii each day is more acceptable as it can be a joint family activity and pull you all together. It might be that he needs a little more 1 to 1 attention too? Have you anything fun and constructive that you can do together? Maybe make the most of the weather to build snowmen, igloos and sledge together.

Thanks for your advice- I agree with you about the TV really. He doesn't have a TV in his room- I just know that my life would easier if he did- as he would glue himself to it- but I don't want him to become a mind numbed zombie. I do some activities with him, but as you can sympathise- I can't do this all day- and the second he isn't being entertained- he off getting everyone hyper. I am going to invest in some snow boots- so he can go out and play in the snow, as he says his feet are too cold in his wellies. Ad the younger ones are too young to be out in the snow for too long . Should be OK over xmas when his dad is home and the rellies can take the pressure off. Thanks all

My nephew is like this and when he is with my DS's he sends them wild, they all end up screaming, shouting and running up and down the stairs jumping on the sofas - that is all they will do together all day, it is exhausting to even watch them and it always ends in tears, although my DS's will play all sorts of games with other boys. My SIL tries to keep him very busy, he does lots of activities after school, and does lots of camps and sports clubs in the holidays. She is also not at all fussy about what sort of mess he gets into and will let him dig in the garden, make mud pies etc by himself.