When do kids become "too cool" to do things so enthusiastically?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, but so far my 2nd grader is really interested and has a lot of energy to do a lot of things. It's almost like he never lost his toddler/preK mindset. Everything sounds "great" or "so fun." Every camp is "the BEST." He also actually follows through with his interests, and practices his sport or happily attends lessons and classes, whether it's math enrichment, piano practice and music flashcards, choir, or soccer. Over the years there's been one or two things he has dropped, but only at the end of the season or year. How much longer can this go on? I assume his energy stems from the fact that most things are still new and fun, and as he gets older he will prefer to just hang out and watch TV or sit around.

I'm happy with what he is doing now but also worry. I don't want to build anxiety or feel like he feels pushed to be the top at everything... or have him burn out. Any words of wisdom from parents of older kids?

OMG your second grader is a baby. Btw, my kids ( now adults never did hit that phase)

[Anonymous]

So much is personality and a little is building in grit and overcoming anxiety at new stuff. Also how parents approach things matters.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like personality. My oldest is a bit of a homebody and has never been excited to do that many things. He wants to stay home and play imagination games and build Legos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, but so far my 2nd grader is really interested and has a lot of energy to do a lot of things. It's almost like he never lost his toddler/preK mindset. Everything sounds "great" or "so fun." Every camp is "the BEST." He also actually follows through with his interests, and practices his sport or happily attends lessons and classes, whether it's math enrichment, piano practice and music flashcards, choir, or soccer. Over the years there's been one or two things he has dropped, but only at the end of the season or year. How much longer can this go on? I assume his energy stems from the fact that most things are still new and fun, and as he gets older he will prefer to just hang out and watch TV or sit around.

I'm happy with what he is doing now but also worry. I don't want to build anxiety or feel like he feels pushed to be the top at everything... or have him burn out. Any words of wisdom from parents of older kids?

OMG your second grader is a baby. Btw, my kids ( now adults never did hit that phase)

I'm the pp. I just thought of something to help navigate. The kids that became 'too cool' were shown too many things when young. I'm not saying don't do anything but, you have to give things slow and steady...ie don't have big blowout parties at age 1 and every year so they 'expect' a new car at age 16! Or fly them first class to Europe every vacation. When my kids were enthusiastic about starting something but, then wanted to quit an activity I stopped all activities until they were really sure they wanted to do it. They they appreciated that activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the kid.

My 6 yr old has been "too cool" for a lot of things for at least a year now...

[Anonymous]

Don't ever give him a phone ...

I would say 5th grade is the first year they try to play it cool and lose some of their excitement.

Enjoy him!

[Anonymous]

Holy shit it’s 4th grade

[Anonymous]

Personalities are baked in at conception because they are mostly genetic. You have no control over this aspect so just accept it at whatever age it happens. You might be able to guess based on your other kids and yourself and your spouse, but there's a lot of variations within families.

[Anonymous]

You don't necessarily have control over the age, but as parents, you do have somewhat control over their attitude and what they do or don't do

[Anonymous]

I believe there are studies on this that tend to indicate the more spoiled a child is, the earlier they tend to loose that childhood excitement in doing things. And the less spoiled a child is, they tend to carry on that excitement for a longer period of time.

If your 9 year old does not respond with being excited about doing something fun and instead starts to argue with you about pursing alternatives, they might be getting their own way 'aka spoiled' too often.

It's ok to tell your spoiled children NO and make them do some chores around the house. Then, when you determine it is the right time to do something fun, they should be more receptive to the idea.

This situation probably does not apply to many families directly, but it could and I wanted to offer it up as an idea to address this problem of being "too cool."

[Anonymous]

You need to worry less, OP. It's your anxiety that will give him anxiety. Not his enthusiasm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to worry less, OP. It's your anxiety that will give him anxiety. Not his enthusiasm.

Came here to say something similar but you nailed it.

Just live in the moment OP. You have less control over everything than you think you do.