DS is always 'bored'!

[OhWhatNoooow]

DS 7 yo only wants to play games on the internet, doesn't like to play with his hundreds of toys, or do anything to help out in the house, says he is bored. We don't let the kids go on the internet, especially unsupervised. The hardest time is before bed when he has half an hour more after the younger kids go to sleep. He doesn't know what to do in this time to occupy himself. He only wants to use the internet.
what do your ds do before bed in their free time or whenever?

hmm. Seems similar to my DS who has hit 7 and seems to have turned from happy-go-lucky to moody. This seems to have also co-incided with the introduction of the Wii and DS into his life. The lego and playmobil has suddenly lost it's appeal - v v annoying as I love an excuse to play with it and have resorted to playing with it secretly alone.

My mum thinks it is just something which happens as they get older and part of them 'calming-down' from the hyperactive just out of nursery phase to key stage 2 where image etc seems very important. Sure in my day this stage came along later at 10 or 11.

We have taken to playing top trumps or reading a more 'grown -up' book like Roald Dahl or something like that. We read it together. Summer will be enforced playing in garden or bike-ride. (Mean old mum I know).

We never let him on the internet except with supervision for school, wii or DS for one hour if homework done possibly more if it's the weekend.As he gets older we will let him have more access.

Limit computer games etc especially if it is bringing on morose behaviour. Do NOT want to sound preachy but TBH it will be easier now than later.

Let him be bored sometimes too IMO it does them good to not be constantly stimulated by us, if all else fails ask for help with clearing table etc it will be amazing how quick he finds something to do.

Being bored is good for them. I tell mine that I'm not entertainments manager and that only boring people are bored.

My other stock line is 'I wish that I had the time to be bored'.I offer them jobs like peeling potatoes and they generally drift away and find something to do!

ds is also like this, if he's not hogging the laptop I get moaning, I just tell him to sit and read, this sorts it (or I threaten to find him jobs to do around the house)

We play a family game inbewteen younger ones going to bed and next age group. Even cards maybe for ten minutes?

Kids are always bored these days, don't seem to know how to make their own entertainment. We have to literally kick our 12 yr ds out of the house on his bike to a mates or something sometimes.

We turn tv off on a sunday and make them play with the stuff they already have. After tea we put on a family movie and have popcorn. (about half 5)

All great ideas everyone, but ds complains that he reads alot and that bores him too. He goes into a complete meltdown if something he tries to do doesn't work out, cries about it pitifully. Then i get a whole guilt trip etc...
I guess i always feel that i need to provide stimulating stuff to do all the time or they won't e happy/stimulated/learning etc..

mine don't get bored - bored = time free = chores.

It is easy to get sucked into it, everyone wants their DC to be happy, but once you accept that it really isn't your responsibility to entertain 24hrs a day life is much easier. If they are bored, they are bored and it is their problem-not yours.

Boring people get bored I say and I have a collection of 'big' toys that I get out for these times ...playmobil/brio/mega rigs etc etc.

Its always worthwhile to suggest that perhaps they need an early night as boredom and tiredness are similar things .

If he says he is bored - leave him toit. You say he has toys and books. I assume he has writing and drawing materials, craft stuff, etc.

I would be tempted to make sure that Tv and computer stuff are not readily available at this time - as it souns like he may be trying to just get these, and that is may be affecting how he entertains himself.

If he has all this stuff, then he has plenty to do. It is up to him how he uses his time. At 7y he needs to be entertaining himself.

I would make sure that you don't give his "I'm bored" comments much attention. Just shrug it off and send him to play.

Or you could offer him a list off chores that need doing, and give him the option: play or chores.

We read together when they claim to be bored, or have on going craft projects (which do not involve glue and lots of mess). Ds (6) and dd (5) are currently doing animal embroideries - I figured sewing was a good life skill for them both to have.

ooh, embroidery sounds like a great idea! where can I get something suitable for his age?

Thanks for advice everyone

DS wouldn't dare say he was bored. I would find something for him to do. The dishwasher always needs loading/unloading, the kitchen could use a wipe down. Tidy up the toys, get the vacuum out. All sorts of entertainment available here for a bored child.

Hobbycraft do embroidery kits for children - very simple patterns with very easy to follow instructions.