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Hobbies/interests for a 7yo

6 replies

FloofyBee · 17/04/2022 23:10

DS is 7.5, and doing well at school, lovely little group of friends. He’s a bright boy, very happy and we have a great relationship. However, when at home on weekends or holidays, he doesn’t really know how to just relax in the house, and will invariably want to play on the iPad/switch/a bit of Minecraft on the laptop. He has a friend from school he Facetimes and they play games together (I know what he plays so no concerns there).

Often, we say that’s fine - we are fairly relaxed and like a bit of gaming ourselves (although my tastes don’t go much beyond Mario!) But if we say no, or suggest he does something else for a while, he gets upset/moany/whiny. He doesn’t like going for walks or playing any sport, or hands-on things like baking/cooking with us. He has a bike and a scooter, but never wants to go out on them. He is a fluent reader, and has 100s of books/comics, but never wants to read for more than a few minutes, usually the same Pokémon book. He draws or plays hot wheels/Lego, again, very briefly - then it’s back to ‘Can I go on the iPad now?’ I honestly wouldn’t mind but it’s ALL he wants to do despite having company in DH, myself or DD(4), lots of encouragement and time spent thinking of things he might like. I found him hard to occupy as a toddler, he preferred to just mooch round doing his own thing rather than paint/draw/go for a walk etc.

How can I broaden his interests?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
trainnane · 17/04/2022 23:11

What sports clubs / drama club / mus

trainnane · 17/04/2022 23:12

Music / beavers etc etc clubs does he do?

FloofyBee · 17/04/2022 23:14

He did do Beavers for about 3 months, loved it, then suddenly went off it and said he didn’t want to go. He goes swimming every week, previously with enthusiasm, more recently not! He’s not remotely sporty, haven’t really tried much music yet - will give that some thought

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trainnane · 17/04/2022 23:14

You say he doesn't know how to relax but what he's doing is how a lot of DC relax.. albeit often age 10+
Kids tend to need to be pushed into trying stuff - invite a mate to join him

trainnane · 17/04/2022 23:16

Try a range of sports. There's tons. Cricket? Martial arts? Restart cubs?

NuffSaidSam · 17/04/2022 23:21

Leave him be.

Let him moan and whine, let him come through that and learn to entertain himself.

It's good for their development to be bored and learn to self regulate.

Don't fill every bit of time he isn't on the iPad with structured activities.

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