Do younger teens really do nothing all summer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t allow it. My young teens volunteered many hrs a week age 11-13 then worked 14 yo on. Preparation for the working world.

That's sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of you are clearly so uncomfortable with the idea of just letting your kids be. Exist. They have to always be busy, busy, busy with some outside structured activity. Then you can pat yourselves on the back for being such great parents without ever actually having to parent.

The DMV is a sick area. 14 years olds don’t need jobs or volun(told) hours. Just let them be kids for awhile.

I don’t want mine hanging out on video games and it’s a good time to explore their interests.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with video games. And most of you mean it’s a good time for your kids to explore YOUR interests.

Not in moderation. But 14 year olds don't do moderation.

So that's how you learn

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t allow it. My young teens volunteered many hrs a week age 11-13 then worked 14 yo on. Preparation for the working world.

That's sad.

+1 when did they have time to be kids?

[Anonymous]

We have travelled scheduled for the equivalent of about 4 weeks throughout the summer. While my tweens/teens are home, they’ve basically “done nothing.” Two or them have a sports lesson a couple of times a week and the other went to a week of camp, but other than that they’ve been home. I’ve encouraged them to make their own plans, do at home training, but they just don’t do it. All read a lot and spend some time on devices. I go between being annoyed by their lazy habits and lack of initiative and being fine with a chill summer at home after a busy school year.

I work from home so it is convenient not to have them wake up until late or need rides places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t allow it. My young teens volunteered many hrs a week age 11-13 then worked 14 yo on. Preparation for the working world.

That's sad.

+1 when did they have time to be kids?

Childhood is preparation and training for adulthood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t allow it. My young teens volunteered many hrs a week age 11-13 then worked 14 yo on. Preparation for the working world.

That's sad.

+1 when did they have time to be kids?

Childhood is preparation and training for adulthood.

It's also for fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t allow it. My young teens volunteered many hrs a week age 11-13 then worked 14 yo on. Preparation for the working world.

That's sad.

+1 when did they have time to be kids?

Childhood is preparation and training for adulthood.

Is that all that you think it's for?

[Anonymous]

My young teens don't love downtime. They ask to be in sport camps and want organized activities. With all that, they still have considerable down time to walk to Starbucks, ice cream, the pool etc It's a good balance. Sport camps rarely extend past 3pm. So it's a long day for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Kids being kids and hanging out or playing with friends all summer sounds like doing something to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t allow it. My young teens volunteered many hrs a week age 11-13 then worked 14 yo on. Preparation for the working world.

That's sad.

+1 when did they have time to be kids?

Childhood is preparation and training for adulthood.

You’re a psycho

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t allow it. My young teens volunteered many hrs a week age 11-13 then worked 14 yo on. Preparation for the working world.

That's sad.

+1 when did they have time to be kids?

Childhood is preparation and training for adulthood.

What’s adulthood for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t allow it. My young teens volunteered many hrs a week age 11-13 then worked 14 yo on. Preparation for the working world.

That's sad.

+1 when did they have time to be kids?

Childhood is preparation and training for adulthood.

What’s adulthood for?

Right? I could agree with older teens, 16+ maybe needing to prep for adulthood, but kids? Now, some responsibilities and work, appropriate amounts and at appropriate times, sure. But, childhood is supposed to be fun and at least somewhat carefree. Once your childhood is over its gone forever

[Anonymous]

Just let them be kids! I have one who ended up going from super busy to nothing due to an injury and I actually think the mental/physical break has been good for them.

[Anonymous]

Camps are activities are fun. My kid is having a blast at camp, much more fun than he would have at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Camps are activities are fun. My kid is having a blast at camp, much more fun than he would have at home.

That's great! Camps can be and usually are fun for kids that like them. But, just because a kid doesn't do a bunch of camps and extracurriculars doesn't mean a kid is doing nothing or not having a fun summer.