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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

They won't go outside !

52 replies

Travelledtheworld · 10/04/2015 13:57

My two 15 and 16 rarely leave the house. It is a beautiful hot sunny day today with a nice breeze and they both refuse to do anything except stay inside and stare at screens.

They are both pale and spotty. They do no exercise. I am sure they will soon be suffering from vitamin D deficiency. Any suggestions or tactics for getting them out or do I just leave them to fester ?

OP posts:

SqueezyCheeseWeasel · 10/04/2015 14:01

Send them to the shop?

DustingOffTheDynastySuit · 10/04/2015 14:04

Unplug everything? Turn off the wi-fi? Pull fuses out?

FriskyMare · 10/04/2015 14:04

Oh God, mine too. I keep seeing groups of teenagers passing the house but mine has barely left the house all week. Sigh. he does seem to have friends who he chats to online tho

IHaveBrilloHair · 10/04/2015 14:05

Leave them to it.

Mutt · 10/04/2015 14:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Toomuch2young · 10/04/2015 14:05

Do you have a dog that needs walking?
Or a car that needs washing?
Teens need incentive to do anything it seems!

Becles · 10/04/2015 14:06

Turn off the WiFi and if necessary, go out en families.

Bowlersarm · 10/04/2015 14:07

Mine too.

Sparklingbrook · 10/04/2015 14:09

My 15 year old has gone out. Tis a miracle. Only to Subway possibly, but that's 'out' right?

Bowlersarm · 10/04/2015 14:13

That's on a par with an outwards bound course, Sparkling. One of mine has been out for one evening in a fortnight. He is 'revising' though.

fuctifino · 10/04/2015 14:17

Be careful what you wish for
Mine have gone out. The first is on her bike, her friend is in a go-cart tied to said bike but it is backwards. The youngest is in a sledge that is gaffer taped to a skateboard and is tied to the go-cart. They are on the way to the local woods so they can go down hill on it.
I am about to go and catch up with them as it could be carnage

Sparklingbrook · 10/04/2015 14:17

YY Bowlers. The Subway is about a mile walk away so he will be almost Orienteering really.

Twirlwirlywoo · 10/04/2015 14:24

Mine managed about 30 minutes in the garden yesterday! They actually moved as well - played bat and ball for 10 minutes! They were itching to come back inside but I made them a cup of tea and made them sit out there with me. I am pretty sure we got 30 minutes outside!

Today DD2 has ventured into our local town to meet some friends in the park! DD1 however, is sat at the dining table doing loads of GCSE revision - so I am reluctant to encourage her away from that at the moment.

Sparkling - laughing at gone to Subway - actually DD2 has apparently gone into town to meet friends in the park but asked for a fiver to go to Costa!! So maybe she will spend the entire afternoon sat in there instead! On the positive side though - she will have had some fresh air just getting there!

Original poster

Travelledtheworld · 10/04/2015 14:25

fuctifino how old are yours ?
I would be delighted if mine would go out and do something even slightly dangerous.

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 10/04/2015 14:25

Going into town for my 15 year old=sitting in Costa Twirl.

BigMammyKumquat · 10/04/2015 14:28

"My two 15 and 16 rarely leave the house. It is a beautiful hot sunny day today with a nice breeze and they both refuse to do anything except stay inside and stare at screens.

Fake a power cut.

bonkersLFDT20 · 10/04/2015 14:31

This is the first day of the Easter hols my 16 yo has not gone out. His best mate is not free so he's all mopey. He's done lots of revision and played his guitar and is then just moaning about how bored he is.

I think I would have lost my temper by now if he'd been like this all holiday. He's in a mood to not do anything so all my suggestions have been rebuffed (run, bike, go into town on bus, call other friends) so I'm just leaving him to it.

I am working in the garden office so am away from him, otherwise I'd find PLENTY for him to do in the form of chores.

Listmaker · 10/04/2015 14:36

I've got one who is never in the house - off meeting friends in parks, coffee shops, town etc (she's 15) and one who hardly sees daylight (17 and supposedly revising).

A happy medium for both would be good. The younger one costs me a fortune and I never see her and the other one gets bored and picks fights with me to pass the time!

fuctifino · 10/04/2015 14:53

travel mine are 12 and 8.
To give them their due, they play out the garden in all weather. Real outdoor girls.

Original poster

Travelledtheworld · 10/04/2015 16:53

fuctifino they are not teenagers yet. Bet you this time next year the eldest one will be sulking in her bedroom. Unless you buy her a horse to keep her busy.......

OP posts:

rainbowjoy · 10/04/2015 16:57

Mine can be like this but went out Wed and Thursday and even said he really enjoyed it. Nearly bankrupted me though and got in a huff as said he had to fund his own subway addiction yesterday, apparently he's saving his money but it's ok to spend mine!

Superlovely · 10/04/2015 17:04

Could you book some sports coaching/ activity. Eg. Tennis, climbing, high ropes courses? Whatever they like

mariamin · 10/04/2015 17:08

I like being outside, but have never seen the attraction of sunny weather. Autumn weather though is gorgeous. I would focus on the lack of exercise, rather than the weather issue.

SecretSquirrels · 10/04/2015 17:08

Mine have been out but not outside out. They will go to gym, swimming pool or play badminton with subway on the way home.
No risk of fresh air though.

bonkersLFDT20 · 10/04/2015 17:09

He went out for a run and is now at the park with his wee bro.

Hoorah!

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