Asking for advice from any mums of 8(ish) year old boys

[singsong]

Due to unfortunate circumstances in his family an 8yo boy has just come to stay with my family. His parents are unable to look after him at this time and this has resulted in him being left stranded away from his home, school and friends. I used to know this boy when he was a small child but due to them moving away I have not seen him for years until now. We all feel very sorry for him particularly at this time of year and are hoping to help him fit in round here as much as possible over the xmas period. What I was hoping is that some of you mums of boys this age could tell me what sort of xmas presents are appropriate? I am completely out of touch with the world of 8yo boys!

How terribly sad, and thank god there are people like you who can step in and help this unfortunate little boy singsong

My ds is a bit older (11), but he's been into things like Yu-Gi-Oh cards, anything to do with wrestling and football and computer games for years. Have you any idea what sort of things this little lad is into?

I know he is very into Harry Potter

Well the new Harry Potter film is out on DVD now? There are various Harry Potter computer games and toys he might like ...

I will consult my ds for some ideas

Thanks spacedonkey, I have already given him all 3 HP DVDs as he hasn't got a lot to do round here. He has watched them several times. You've given me a good idea about the games though as I know he likes computer games.

have you got a playstation or other games console, or would it be games for your PC?

harry potter stationery/folders etc for smaller presents?

is he bookish at all, or more into films?

How long will he be staying with you and how old are your kids?

My ds (7) likes anything to do with football, (I think David Beckham has a new dvd out about playing football) Star Wars (but that's only any good if this boy's seen it), Pokemon cards, Beyblades, Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles, chocolate, Playstation2 games (but only if you have a Playstation, obviously!). What about books to read to him at night or to let him read himself? My ds is very much enjoying Enid Blyton's Famous Five stories atm. I hate reading them but he loves them so I can live with Enid's weird view of the world I guess! Almost anything by Roald Dahl would be marvellously distracting I'd have thought. Poor love, good for you for helping. Is there someone who can take him to play football in the park too? I expect he'd like that.

Dh has a playstation2 and most households in my family have a pc (unfortunately this boy is staying between a few houses as it all happened rather suddenly). Feastofstevenmom he is more into films I think, although like I said I don’t know him too well, I will have to suss that one out further.

I'd recommend sticking to PS2 games rather than PC ones as in my experience PC games don't always work and can bugger up your PC! (ds is now banned from installing any games on my PC)

If he's into films, he would probably like Pirates of the Caribbean. My kids love comedies too, things like George of the Jungle.

Poor little lad, what a terrible thing to happen, especially at christmas.

You could try giving him Star Wars film then, he might like that. Or Shrek 2 if he hasn't got it?

Don't know how long he will stay. His mum is depressed (seriously) and has disappeared, his father (don’t know where he is either) is an alcoholic and social services do not allow unsupervised access. My ds is only 17 weeks. My step-brother, with whom he is staying some of the time has a 3yo boy.

I reckon my ds could sort out a bundle of videos and some playstation games for your little lad to watch/play with if that's any help. I know you're not asking for handouts, but it sounds like you're not kitted out for an 8 yr old, so do CAT me if you'd like some stuff to help keep him entertained.

Likewise here. I'm sure we could find a few beyblades and stuff to put in an envelope, just post and we'll do it.

I mean it too, poor chick.

My boys love Knex which you can get at Argos, bionicle sets, their gameboy sps which they get totally engrossed in, anything to do with robots, gel pens and anything to do with football. Also Ps2 games. I thing you are doing a lovely thing BTW. DVDS they like are Shrek 2, Pirates of the carribean. I know you can buy sets of Dvds in Argos and Woolworth which are suitable for family viewing. BTW I think you are doing a lovely thing by taking him in.

Thanks everyone for your help. Don’t worry about sending stuff though (thanks so much for offers). I have quite large extended family in this area and on dh’s side too. We’ll all sort out some stuff for him. I’ve already raided my collection of children’s DVDs, (even though ds is so young I quite like them myself!). You’ve given me excellent idea about computer games, we already have some I think may be suitable and can sort out some new ones for xmas. Also dh is BIG starwars fan and has all the films so if he’s not seen it we can show him and see if he likes it.

(I should think DH will rather relish having a little boy to do boyish things with for a bit)

agree with MM that taking him out for games of footy and the like would be fantastic and help him make some mates

spacedonkey, dh still IS little boy in his mind! And yes does enjoy it, only he turns even more into little boy when surrounded by kids!

awww! Well your little lad will be an ideal companion for him then!

Harry Potter Lego - if that hasn't already been suggested. Hope he/you have a lovely xmas :)

Harry Potter Lego - if that hasn't already been suggested. Hope he/you have a lovely xmas :)