what does your middle schooler do after school if no activities?

[Anonymous]

When my DS was in middle school, between school and evening practices, or if no practices, he'd play video games, watch TV, shoot baskets in the driveway, do a half-hearted job at chores, the usual that middle schoolers do. I wasn't too worried about it, when I was in MS, I'd come home and watch my videotaped soap operas, talk on the phone with friends for hours, etc.

I know a lot of adults who feel their kids have to be structured and "doing" something every spare moment (initials: my husband). Where I'm a big believer that as long as they aren't getting in trouble, doing well in school, they're fine. They have their entire adult lives to be "productive".

Does your son have any chores he could do before you let him go on Discord? Take care of pets, take trashcan to the curb, clean his room, etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS gets home from school at 2:40pm. He has a sport 2-3x a week after school (but not until 630) so he has hours of free time. He would like to be chatting on discord with his friends the entire time...but it drives me insane. What does your MS kid do after school (assuming very little homework) if no activities?

My son gets home at 3:15pm. He has sports 3x a week.

Discord and Xbox drive me insane as well, but now that school has started I let him be on it until is time to go to. When he doesn't have sports after school I find chores for him to do or we watch a movie/show together.

No electronics after 9pm.

[Anonymous]

My DD does homework, has a snack, FaceTimes friends, does more HW, FaceTime friends, avoids choices, goes for a jog, FaceTimes friends, watches TV, FaceTimes friends. Finishes homework in bed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD does homework, has a snack, FaceTimes friends, does more HW, FaceTime friends, avoids choices, goes for a jog, FaceTimes friends, watches TV, FaceTimes friends. Finishes homework in bed.

*chores

[Anonymous]

Hour 1:
- video games for an hour

90 min:
- snack
- reading
- homework
- reading

Video games for an hour

Remainder of evening:
Plays with dog
Reading
Board game
Etc

[Anonymous]

Goes to clubhouse for a snack, jumps in pool, maybe plays a couple of holes of golf, takes paddle board out, walks dog, rides bike.

[Anonymous]

We are lucky that our very social 6th grader has found some neighborhood friends and they hang out at a local playground. I hope he can stay a child for as long as possible, I appreciate this as it feels like it won’t be much longer that he’ll actually play - tag, soccer, climbing trees, skateboarding, etc.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you, keep them kids as long as possible. Kids should be playing like that throughout middle school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my DS was in middle school, between school and evening practices, or if no practices, he'd play video games, watch TV, shoot baskets in the driveway, do a half-hearted job at chores, the usual that middle schoolers do. I wasn't too worried about it, when I was in MS, I'd come home and watch my videotaped soap operas, talk on the phone with friends for hours, etc.

I know a lot of adults who feel their kids have to be structured and "doing" something every spare moment (initials: my husband). Where I'm a big believer that as long as they aren't getting in trouble, doing well in school, they're fine. They have their entire adult lives to be "productive".

Does your son have any chores he could do before you let him go on Discord? Take care of pets, take trashcan to the curb, clean his room, etc?

Ha! I did the same! I’d watch General Hospital, Oprah, MTV and talk to friends on the phone.

[Anonymous]

I’m a nanny and middle schooler helps me at work when she doesn’t have sports or a date with a friend scheduled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a nanny and middle schooler helps me at work when she doesn’t have sports or a date with a friend scheduled.

PP here. I should have said MY middle school-aged daughter. I don’t make my charges work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Goes to clubhouse for a snack, jumps in pool, maybe plays a couple of holes of golf, takes paddle board out, walks dog, rides bike.

Where do you live that your kids can paddle board after school?