12yr old and school holidays- oh no

[SecondhandRose]

He's bored but doesn't want to go anywhere we go. Is rude in shops and quite often it is easier just to leave him here but obviously legally I can't.

He is on school hols now, we are quite rural and most of his friends have gone away for the whole summer (well 3 of them anyway).

What do I do with him?

Why can't you leave him at home while you go shopping?

I do but I don't think I'm allowed to legally am I? I want him to come out and enjoy himself but he just sits on his arse!

There is no legal minimum age for leaving a child at home. If there was an accident, you could potentially be considered negligent, but given that my 12-year old is traversing London by herself, I think she's perfectly capable of occupying herself at home for a few hours.

Why don't you try to find some sports camps/courses or some other activity he might enjoy?

Problem is most schools don't finish until 20th round here so not much on. Just wondered how everyone copes with sulky 12 yr olds in general.

no idea - have very sulky 13 yo here atm - said he would come shopping with me and the little ones, then wondered round with the worlds longest face, no don't want that etc grr!
his 12yo brother is off camping with scouts for nearly a fortnight, then we are away, then there is active sports and rugby camps but agree with rurality problems and friends decamping for the entire summer

Has he got any idea of what he would like to do?

Err watch TV, Playstation, computer, eat and sleep.

I'd let him get on with it tbh, nothing wrong with being bored. Isn't that a normal state of mind at that age? 12 is old enough to entertain themselves, and if that involves a few weeks of couch surfing and playing games well so be it. In a few years he'll be working during the holidays, and then just working full stop, so he might as well enjoy doing naff all now

If your really worried he needs to get out more than make a deal - we do one day in/one day out here or you can say he has to do X chores, go out in the fresh air for x amount of time a day and go on 2 family trips in return for unlimited lounging and gaming rights?

Probably Xposted with far more intelligent people as the kettle just boiled and I went off to make a nice cup of coffee

you're, rather the your, obviously (we really need an edit facility on here)

Same here. If he's happy with it, then I'd leave him to it. Maybe a couple of nudges here and there to go out. I wouldn't force him to, though.