Is it normal for teens to just want to stay at home ALL THE TIME

[stirling]

And go along begrudgingly if you suggest an age appropriate outing?
I'm fairly new to this whole teen parenting deal. Mine are so uninspired. They don't want to do anything, go anywhere other than to eat out.
On laptops or phones. I've tried limiting both. Apparently they're both swamped with homework.

Really sad. It's a beautiful sunny day today, would have been so nice to have walked somewhere like Trent Park (they used to love it) then lunch at the Farmhouse tea room. Or go to Greenwich or Camden Market. Or a coffee cake at kenwood...

Are these all really boring options for your average 14 and 12 year old?

Thank you

Thanks, good tips

My 2 only seem I interested if it involves food!

One of mine was really into a group activity that got him out of the house a lot but apart from that didn't want to go anywhere/do anything. He's 19 now and seems to have come through it OK.

The 16 yo is quite sociable at college but out of hours it's all online. He never goes anywhere by choice, but is in constant contact with friends. Thankfully he has a 2 mile walk to college so he does get a little fresh air and exercise.

I learned early in their teens to "tell" them about family outings and they'd be fine, if not completely enthusiastic. I didn't give them a choice about it if I felt they needed to get out.

My dd is 15 and still wants to hang with me / us. And she’s quite a home girl. She likes walks with the dog, happy to shop, travel, eat out, hits up for anything really.

Ds, 16 less so with family but goes out and about with friends, basketball, football, cinema, hanging about etc. All on his timings though!

I'd say teens wanting to stay at home is completely normal. Mine were the same but were interested in going out if it involves food!

A walk or trip to the shops was an absolute no-no, however I did have success with arranging activities such as escape rooms, go-ape, clay pigeon shooting. Unfortunately these things are all rather expensive.

My advice would be let them stay at home if they want to but try to encourage family time, for example cooking together, chatting in the car rather than everyone being plugged in, film night etc. Start a jigsaw and they might want to join in?!

If all else fails, don't worry ... they will resurface in a few years!