What screen free activities do your 17yo do?

[NanaStrikesAgain]

DS17 is stuck in a constant loop of not feeling rested and not feeling productive. He plays a lot of tennis and badminton and goes in the gym, so he exercises a lot several times a week and he’s at college 5 days a week too. He has a part time job just in school holidays.

Tbh I think he has very little downtime really once he’s done his homework/coursework too alongside all his sport that he wants to do.

He has adhd/ASD which I’m sure plays a part in his mindset with all this.

This weekend has been quiet with nothing much planned (he’s had a busy couple of months recently). DS spent a lot of yesterday gaming online with a couple of college friends and today he’s spent 2hrs at the tennis club and chilled mainly watching YouTube/gaming. He’s also spent a couple of hours doing homework. He’s just been moaning that he doesn’t feel rested and he feels the same as he did on Friday evening and as if he’s had no free time.

He wants to reduce his screen time because he thinks he needs to be more productive (his words not mine).
He hates reading (severely dyslexic) so that’s not an easy option. He doesn’t have many friends and is quite content being at home really. He doesn’t have any hobbies aside from tennis/gym. I do think he needs some downtime at home to decompress from his busy week at college etc.

So, please tell me what do your 17yr olds do when not on screens?

Not answering your question exactly but unless tennis is outside it sounds like he needs some fresh air

Gardening, board games, chess, baking , dog walks , family meals , hanging with the dog , chores,

I found the fact that mine walked home, with friends, was a really good 'decompressor' after school / college.
Fresh air, some exercise (okay, only walking, but 40mins or so), and generally putting the world to rights with friend - be that laughing or gossiping or having a moan about their day or about parents or teachers or whatever.

It does sound like he has quite a good balance of stuff in his life, but maybe finding something outside might add to it ?

It’s outside a lot of the time, weather permitting, but there are indoor courts here uses during bad weather

Thanks that’s helpful.

Our dog passed away sadly so that’s a big part of his life missing, but we aren’t in a position to get another one unfortunately due to work.

cooking is a good idea, I can get him more involved in that

gardening he will help with during the summer when asked.

My son is severely dyslexic too and loved audio book. He would listen when out with the dog, in the car, lying on his bed etc. Escaping to another world with a book can really help you switch off.

Unfortunately he can’t walk home from college and there’s no public transport which is a shame as otherwise that’s a good idea.

ill try to think of ways to get him outside more in the winter! The summer he’s outside a lot more with tennis when weather permits.

Dungeons and dragons, warhammer, visiting spooky places seeing if there is electomagnetic field changes, Duke of Edinburgh, explorers and volunteering for scouts, scout camps, acting in video for friends, quaa’ tan, music lessons, driving

My dd is pretty good. She likes her phone and tv series and ps5 but she also plays guitar and is learning steel drum. She paints and draws and loves doing her own nails and make up. So as in college and her job, she only spends 1-2 hours a day on screens tbh. I’m not including her listening to music in that though, if she’s home it’s typically her record player on in the background bit of she’s out and about her phone is also her music even if she’s not actually using it. She dislikes the quiet so listens to tons of tunes.

I have two teen sons, slightly younger than yours. between them they play basketball, play drums and guitar, write music on Logic (a computer program so I guess still on a screen but we don't really count it as screen time) see friends, do chores (when I force them to), read (reluctantly) draw a bit, play with younger sibling, skateboard, learn card tricks, listen to music, cook. My oldest is also into "urban exploring" (going and looking at abandoned buildings and taking photos)

At home: sings, random clothes customisations, paints, teaches themselves guitar via YouTube, cooks their own meals and bakes, watches tv with me. Also paid activities outside the house and hanging out with friends. Guitar could be a good one maybe? They also taught themselves keyboard a while ago with an app, that could be one to consider. They also spend plenty of time scrolling but don't we all tbh.