14 year old DD Acts Much Younger

[Anonymous]

Daughter is 14 and still enjoys a lot of activities that seem more suited for younger kids. She plays outside with neighborhood kids who are around 3 to 10 years old, rides bikes and scooters with them, and loves going to the trampoline park, the fair, or other places to play. She even finds fun in things like riding in the shopping cart at the store. She also enjoys bracelet-making kits, board games, puzzles, and outdoor games. At home, she likes spending time with family, and she’ll sometimes randomly sit on my lap, which feels like something a much younger child would do.

Socially, she does have a few regular teen interests, like some music and hanging out with friends, but she’s not very interested in typical teen activities like going to the mall or attending parties. When we go to events, she tends to hang out with younger kids rather than teens or adults. When it comes to movies or shows, she usually doesn’t care much about them, but if she does watch something, it’s often whatever her younger siblings are watching—shows more suited to younger kids rather than the typical teen dramas or comedies.

She’s a good kid, gets along fine socially, and isn’t completely immature, but I’m starting to wonder if this is just a typical phase or something I should be concerned about. Has anyone else experienced this with their teen? Should I be worried about her immaturity, or is this just a phase?

[Anonymous]

Don’t compare your kid to other kids! Are the 10yo the only other kids outside for her to play with. Sounds like other 14yo are inside on their phones and maybe your kid is MORE mature than that.

[Anonymous]

My 13yo DD is similar. Doesnt enjoy shopping, make up, talking about boys etc. would rather be kicking a ball around or playing tag.
I don’t think of her as immature, she’s mature in other behaviors, she’s pretty independent as well. She might be a young 13, but that’s ok. They grow up too fast.

[Anonymous]

Why on earth would you be concerned about a child wanting to be a child?

Your child is not as "cool" as you want her to be. Get over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t compare your kid to other kids! Are the 10yo the only other kids outside for her to play with. Sounds like other 14yo are inside on their phones and maybe your kid is MORE mature than that.

100% this. My 13 year old and I are currently reading The Amazing Generation. Highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Is she in MS or HS, closer to 15?

[Anonymous]

I was like this. My dad was critical to me one day about my younger friend and I can still feel how that stung.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is she in MS or HS, closer to 15?

15 in 8-9 weeks.

[Anonymous]

JFC no 14 year old can ride in the grocery cart. And no NT 14 almost 15 year old, as said in the follow up, hangs out with 3-10 year olds in the neighborhood. People, stop feeding the AI bot on the teen forum.

[Anonymous]

Hey, you teen could be vaping. Is that what you would prefer?

[Anonymous]

She sounds neat! Not fully typical, but I'd rather have a late bloomer than an early bloomer.

I've been a girl scout volunteer since before I had kids and many of the kids are like this still at 13-14 when they are at camp away from their school friends and phones and the pressure to conform. The first day they may come in trying to look cool, but by the end of the week they're just being silly, enjoying playing.

They're awesome kids who just want to be kids. Do they also giggle about crushes and think about fashion and makeup and parties and drinking and vaping? Some do, but many late bloomers don't have those interests yet. It's largely a good thing.

It's possible there's some neurodivergence going on. For example, kids with ADHD tend to lag in maturity behind their neurotypical peers by about 3 years.

[Anonymous]

It’s not typical but I also would try not to worry since she seems to be comfortable socially.

[Anonymous]

My 14 year old just went to a friend’s birthday party at a trampoline park so kids still have them. And who doesn’t like to play outdoor games? Jewelry making is an all ages activity. Riding bikes and scooters are fun even if your age group doesn’t think so.

Young teens are all at different stages of emotional growth. I don’t see a problem with your 14 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:JFC no 14 year old can ride in the grocery cart. And no NT 14 almost 15 year old, as said in the follow up, hangs out with 3-10 year olds in the neighborhood. People, stop feeding the AI bot on the teen forum.

She’s riding her bike in the neighborhood and the only other one’s riding are under 10. That shouldn’t stop her. If she’s tiny she can sit in the back of a grocery cart. No big deal. Calm down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JFC no 14 year old can ride in the grocery cart. And no NT 14 almost 15 year old, as said in the follow up, hangs out with 3-10 year olds in the neighborhood. People, stop feeding the AI bot on the teen forum.

She’s riding her bike in the neighborhood and the only other one’s riding are under 10. That shouldn’t stop her. If she’s tiny she can sit in the back of a grocery cart. No big deal. Calm down.

lol, even the tiniest 14 year old is not riding around in the back of the grocery cart.