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Original poster

6-8 year old parenting club birthday partys, homework and extracurricular decisions

330 replies

2in2022twoyearson · 26/04/2025 16:08

Hi,
Anyone want to join me navigating this age of parenting? Children could be outside this age bracket.

There's lots of baby toddler advice groups and some teen groups but this age I feel a bit in the dark.

I have a soon to be 7 year old girl. She's amazing, loves school, but I often feel like I'm doing or saying the wrong thing to and with her. She's going through a stroppy stage, finds school tiring.

Me and her dad work a lot and we haven't signed her up to many extra curriculum clubs, some of her peers have done loads since reception.

We're planning her birthday party and she has lots of opinions about it, I'm feeling the pressure!

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Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 09/11/2025 15:01

Funny post- my DD has been telling everyone she wants a dimension (without the n) cat for Christmas. It's a dementia cat like she's seen at the library but read the word without knowing it so can't remember how to say it.

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Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 21/11/2025 06:17

How are we all doing? Just had a parents evening and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy as I can tell this new teacher genuinely loves my daughter, the way she said, 'she's funny, she makes me laugh'. She's doing really well, has a tendency to rush, but school work is easy for her. I still have a niggle that she's autistic and this is the age she's going to go downhill because apparently age 7 it becomes more apparent in girls. That could be my personal anxiety rather than anything... teacher did say she sometimes 'wobbles' like when she accidentally ripped her craft. I just hope it doesn't turn At home at, recently at church where she's felt at home she's broken down over crafts going wrong or running out of time to finish them and cried. It doesn't last very long though, 10 minutes maybe. I know her teacher will support her if she does burst into tears, they have a good relationship. Last year she did come out of school crying about a craft that didn't go her way, towards the end of the day, but it was with the outdoor learning teacher and her class teacher wasn't there. My DH said all 7 year olds are like that with big emotions and he was at that age.

Thanks for reading my stream of consciousness.

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Natsku · 21/11/2025 08:48

I remember 7 being a year of big emotions for my DD. And 8 and 9 and 10...

DS has been having some difficulties at school lately, he's been getting into fights with his friends and he drew in someone else's notebook with his special pen, the other child got angry and tried to grab it and it broke, with both of them devastated afterwards. His teacher is on the verge of calling a meeting about the fights and I don't know what to do.

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7 year olds Families Primary education
Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 21/11/2025 09:06

It's so hard, because what can you do when you're not around. A meeting could be really useful, don't you think, to make sure you're all on the same page with the messaging you give to the children.

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Natsku · 21/11/2025 09:13

I know the other parents are on the same page as its my brother's girlfriend's kids he's fighting with but they just really struggle with emotional regulation and DS gets angry very easily when he feels he's been wronged.

Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 27/11/2025 13:56

Another video popped up on how autism presents in girls and my daughter ticks most of them, expect I don't think she gets too anxious about change... everything else, advanced in academics, including language, but missing 'paralangules' is her all over. She doesn't get social cues like her brother has since about 2. But she's happy and not struggling so I don't really think she needs assessing. I just saw a video on my phone of her at 1 doing jigsaws. And reading 3 letter words at 3 years. Nothing like my youngest.

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Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 03/12/2025 07:44

How is everyone doing? I'm doing ok with my resolution to arrange more playdates. She often goes to her best friends house and he has come here with his family a couple of times. She's been to two different girls houses after school once each. On Monday we are having a different friend, an 8 year old after school on his own. He seems sensible, parents seem lovely but I've only had one conversation with his mum. It's the first time I've had a child in my house without their parents, which I know is probably quite unusual, combination of the timing of COVID lockdown followed by having a newborn, then busy at work.....DD is very excited.

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Natsku · 03/12/2025 08:01

I would advise getting assessed while she's still in primary even if she's happy and coping OK as if she does have autism she might fall apart in secondary without support already in place.
Sounds like she's having lots of playdates, bet she's loving that!

DS has been complaining about being tired and asked me to make an appointment with the school nurse so we saw her on Monday and had a discussion about it. His tonsils are huge even though he's not ill at the moment so she's made an appointment with the school doctor. Looks like he might need his tonsils taken out. I don't know how we'll manage looking after him for the 2 weeks sick leave if he does as OH has just started working again and I'm in a new job so wary of taking time off, but perhaps it'll be a long wait in any case so I'll be more secure in my job.
Also referred for a blood test to check his haemoglobin, blood sugars, and thyroid function.

He's very excited about Christmas, and wants everything he sees advertised! What do the others want?
I think I need to buy for my brother's girlfriend's children this year so for a 7 year old and a 9/10 year old (can't remember if he's had his birthday yet)

Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 03/12/2025 09:22

After visiting my parents kittens my DD, understanding we won't get a really kitten has asked for a 'dementia cat' that we've seen at the library, with a battery that is sleeping and breathing. We bought one at the county show when I sae that had a good deal on them. It is one target Otherwise doesn't really ask for much, my brother used to be like that, asking for everything he sees and my 3 year old wants lots of presents, he had his birthday not long ago thinks Christmas is another birthday.

Sickness is just one of those everlasting things as parents, which parent takes time off, whether you can rope in other family members etc.

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Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 03/12/2025 09:34

On Saturday, my daughter got very emotional at 'messy church' we go to on Sundays. She normally only cries properly at home, and a friend of hers was there. It's been her favourite thing to do it's a event with lots of crafts on every month. End of October she cried when it was the end because she'd not finished her craft but got over it quickly. The people at church say it's nice she feels it's her safe space and not to worry if she has outbursts. It's a church that runs sessions for special needs so has sensory toys and a blackout tent. Last weekend she tried to do a cake decorating craft but was getting upset and It wasn't going her way. She was crying for a good 15 minutes. When she was stroppy but not crying I was leaving her to it, and with DS. Then friends mum took over craft with D's and I took her to another room but she didn't stop crying so I sat with her to do the cake craft, advising her how to do it just right but she didn't want me to do anything. Then she did a less stressful craft with another adult, quietly and perfectly. Then told me she wasn't doing anything else because she didn't want to get angry. I guess that showed emotional maturity at the end.

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Happytap · 03/12/2025 09:37

Marking my place with a just turned seven year old daughter who I'm struggling with

Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 03/12/2025 09:59

Hi happytap. What are you struggling with at the moment?

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Happytap · 03/12/2025 14:11

She seems to be having so many friendship struggles and major meltdowns at home - seems like a mini teenager with her emotions. I'm not being as calm as I'd like as I have a baby and five year old too. 😭

Natsku · 03/12/2025 14:39

Oo that is tough with a baby and a 5 year old too. Emotions definitely ramped up at this age with my daughter.

Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 03/12/2025 14:40

@Happytap I have found my 7 year old has really learnt how to push my buttons so in also not the calmest. Like this Saturday when she ended up having a big meltdown at the beggining I was snippy at her about being stroppy as I was busy with little brother. I've found she really values some one on one time with me, though it's hard to schedule, I think it helps.

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Happytap · 04/12/2025 12:53

I agree with you re one to one time, mine would love me to do her bedtime more often just me and her but the reality of juggling three of them solo mon - Fri means I do them all together and am still nursing the baby to sleep.

So much mum guilt especially at this age I find. With the big emotions and there seems so much more complexity in their relationships and school lives all of a sudden.

Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 04/12/2025 16:26

Things change a lot, esspecaly with babies routines. Does she get on well with her siblings?

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Happytap · 06/12/2025 13:43

Yes she does, they honestly have the loveliest relationship. If I offer to take her somewhere on her own she always asks if the others can come! But maybe I need to force it more.

How do you all fit in one to one time and what do they like to do at this age?!

Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 06/12/2025 13:59

Aw, that's cute. I sometimes play a card or board game with her when little one is sleeping. I guess it's less likely that 2 younger siblings would be sleeping together. Once I went to the cinema with her but we prefer to watch films at home when we do.

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Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 07/12/2025 13:00

Tomorrow we are having DD friend round after school for the first time and I'm a bit nervous. I've done playdates elsewhere, but not at home. But he seems like a nice, chilled out boy. When I asked the teacher how she's getting on socially she said they work well together, challenge each other, I think she said....

I'm most worried that ds (3) years will badger him and friend could find him annoying, but hopefully will find him cute instead

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Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 12/12/2025 05:50

How's everyone doing? All set for Christmas?

We're fine here. My daughter is a fan of k-pop demon hunters. I concidered getting getting her and little brother an audio speaker like yoto but decided the Bluetooth speaker and audible on my phone. I realised she often lays awake for a long time. So she's been listening to the bedtime scientist.

Playdate went well. At one point he asked her about D's and Ds bedtime (7 and 8 pm) her friend was 7:30, but he said he just lies awake for ages.

For Christmas we have her:
Lego supermario interactive figure
A breathing 'dementia cat' - the thing she's asked for.
Some other bits we need to pull out and see what we have.... including a kids slide projector, national geographic from Lidl with sea creatures. I am very pleased about this as a 'treasure' she's collected is a slide from this torch with insects on.

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Natsku · 12/12/2025 06:12

Pretty much all set for Christmas, just need to get DS earmuffs as I thought I bought them already but can't find them.
We've got him a 3d pen, some big lego set (earth or galaxy or something), mio robot (technically from my parents, sent me money to buy him something) and various other things. Will save some stuff for his birthday in February. Ordered some books but they might not arrive before Christmas so they'll probably end up being birthday presents.

Was trying to decide what to get OH's niece, she's about the same age as your youngest, got her a swimming axolotl toy in the end, hope she likes it. You just put it in water and it swims automatically.

Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 12/12/2025 07:27

Oh, that aloxyl toy sounds fun. We got my youngest a Grimm rainbow. And a few other bits. DH is not a fan of the rainbow, but I got a good price on vinted and I've always liked the look of them. We have so many toys already and my little one just had his birthday, whearas DD is nice middle year June birthday. Family will get them lots. Parents at DD school have said they've started getting more money as gifts then the kids enjoy choosing something from the shop

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Original poster
2in2022twoyearson · 14/12/2025 15:17

Just a random one, my DD is getting a bit chubby. She's always loved her food but 9-10 trousers fit her, smaller were too tight, she's 7. Long legs too so 9-10 are a good length. I did a few months ago plot her height and weight and she's 75 for both so I was ok with that. But she is a bit chunky.

For at least a year she has the same size meals as me and still asks for snacks. She's not such a fan of protein food so maybe more protein will fill her up.

I however am very definitely overweight so need to make some changes. I could involve DD, but want her to have a good relationship with food and excersice. DH and I took her running with us, but that's how she fractured her wrist, then no excersise after that....

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Natsku · 15/12/2025 04:20

More protein and fibre will help fill her up without big portions. DS loves his food too, though he's still firmly 50th for height and weight. I find girls clothes are much tighter than the same size in boys clothes so that probably affects things too.

DS had ice hockey matches yesterday, lost both games but he tried much harder this time and made a lot of good tackles. One more match day before Christmas but thankfully its home games - I am so tired of being busy at weekends and always going places, looking forward to a break from that over Christmas.