Kids who don't have any activities

[Anonymous]

My 14 year old son has one one-hour after school activity and that's it. There's no activity he shows any interest in. He's not into sports (has tried quite a few but hasn't had the aptitude), he's tried various musical instruments but gave up after a couple years. He's a good student, reads a lot, is on his phone a lot and that's about it. I know he's bored quite a bit of the time. Anyone else in this situation? Or have ideas on how I can encourage him to do more/ how to find something he might actually like?

[Anonymous]

This is not acceptable in our house. Each kid must do at least one weekly activity for their brain and one for their body. Either they choose or we choose for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not acceptable in our house. Each kid must do at least one weekly activity for their brain and one for their body. Either they choose or we choose for them.

What activity are you having them do for their body if they're not good at sports? And do you get endless complaining? I guess I need to get better at ignoring that.

[Anonymous]

What about after school clubs?

Does he have plans for the summer? Maybe that's a good time to explore different interests.

If my kids didn't have sports or other activity interests I would encourage them to work or make them volunteer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not acceptable in our house. Each kid must do at least one weekly activity for their brain and one for their body. Either they choose or we choose for them.

What activity are you having them do for their body if they're not good at sports? And do you get endless complaining? I guess I need to get better at ignoring that.

They can shoot baskets in the driveway for an hour, play roller hockey in the street, do yoga, indoor rock climbing, dance class, walk the dog, gardening/landscaping, etc. They don’t have to compete or be on a team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 14 year old son has one one-hour after school activity and that's it. There's no activity he shows any interest in. He's not into sports (has tried quite a few but hasn't had the aptitude), he's tried various musical instruments but gave up after a couple years. He's a good student, reads a lot, is on his phone a lot and that's about it. I know he's bored quite a bit of the time. Anyone else in this situation? Or have ideas on how I can encourage him to do more/ how to find something he might actually like?

Reading is an activity. This sounds fine to me. It’s what I like to do, and it’s what I liked to do when I was a kid, and I’m doing okay!

Is he interested in art at all? Maybe he’d like a digital art class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 14 year old son has one one-hour after school activity and that's it. There's no activity he shows any interest in. He's not into sports (has tried quite a few but hasn't had the aptitude), he's tried various musical instruments but gave up after a couple years. He's a good student, reads a lot, is on his phone a lot and that's about it. I know he's bored quite a bit of the time. Anyone else in this situation? Or have ideas on how I can encourage him to do more/ how to find something he might actually like?

Reading is an activity. This sounds fine to me. It’s what I like to do, and it’s what I liked to do when I was a kid, and I’m doing okay!

Is he interested in art at all? Maybe he’d like a digital art class?

He's not interested in anything! That's what I find tough to figure out.

[Anonymous]

Would he be willing to get a job, like babysitting every weekend, do a counselor in training program this summer? Next year he would probably qualify for more employment opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not acceptable in our house. Each kid must do at least one weekly activity for their brain and one for their body. Either they choose or we choose for them.

What activity are you having them do for their body if they're not good at sports? And do you get endless complaining? I guess I need to get better at ignoring that.

Not PP but my children are required to be in a sport every season regardless of their skill.

[Anonymous]

I’d think beyond team sports and just make him do something like fencing, rock climbing, squash. Though all pretty pricy. If you have the resources and time, I think your kid will thank you someday for making this happen, if if they didn’t ask for it. Is he in high school? If so, maybe stage crew? Model UN? Best Buddies? I’m thinking of the bigger commitment things that aren’t sporty but keep kids busy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not acceptable in our house. Each kid must do at least one weekly activity for their brain and one for their body. Either they choose or we choose for them.

What activity are you having them do for their body if they're not good at sports? And do you get endless complaining? I guess I need to get better at ignoring that.

Not PP but my children are required to be in a sport every season regardless of their skill.

In high school? I think high school rec sports are harder to find.

OP, what is the one activity? Could you build off that? What about a job?

[Anonymous]

Martial arts
Art
Drama
Table tennis
Parkour
Rock climbing

And…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swFhZyvjxik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjz3o1XGzh0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S2wUtpq4Yk

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 14 year old son has one one-hour after school activity and that's it. There's no activity he shows any interest in. He's not into sports (has tried quite a few but hasn't had the aptitude), he's tried various musical instruments but gave up after a couple years. He's a good student, reads a lot, is on his phone a lot and that's about it. I know he's bored quite a bit of the time. Anyone else in this situation? Or have ideas on how I can encourage him to do more/ how to find something he might actually like?

Definitely building off the one activity is great. What about chores? It really helps when kids feel useful and part of a bigger picture, so I’d start require insurance as like a family teambuilding type thing. Walks around the neighborhood are great for exercise, or maybe joining a gym? I get it 0P. My kid is definitely not suited for many activities and has lots of downtime. He really needs the downtime but I have to structure it so it’s not just endless video games

[Anonymous]

Op, it’s so hard when the DC doesn’t show interest in anything. I feel for you. I have seen this, too.

[Anonymous]

Chess club or quiz bowl / scholastic bowl