How does your 12-13 yr old spend his time
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Anonymous
I see a lot of people post for LO's schedules and now that mine are older I chuckle a bit (like how should a. 6 mos old spend her time, etc.) but I actually feel like I am in the same situation with a tween and not sure what they should be doing -- so feel free to chuckle at me! It seems at this age they don't go out and "play" so to speak. There is a bit of basketball, football, kick ball on occasion but most kids are so scheduled that it is rare a group of peers are all around the neighborhood at the same time to do this. There is the obvious video games, tv, and list ing to music. There is also the one or two weekly activites and homework but I worry about the rest of the time. Like vacation days, there can be 10+ hrs to fill. What do teens do these days in general (I know there are all kinds of exceptions.) is it just all video games and tv? I read a ton and hung out with girlfriends and talked but I don't think boys do the talking thing? My brother was sports obsessed so if he was not doing a sport he was watching it or reading sports magazine. My husband ( who I think turned out pretty good  watched a lot of tv but I don't like that as it is so easy ton fall in to this ALL the time. We are old enough that we did not have 24 hr cable, video games, iPods, etc. Would love to hear how your tween spends time.
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Anonymous
| My tween still "plays." She gets on the floor and plays with legos, little dolls or figures, makes things, dresses up the cat with old doll clothes. She does spend time playing video games, reading, watching TV, listening to music and drawing. She's an only child so she's had to keep herself busy and has learned how to do it. She gets out a lot, has a lot of friends and playdates but still as an only child has to spend time alone (or with us but we might be reading or something like that). I am amazed that she still has such an imaginary life, really enjoying dress up still. I'm sure this will change in the next year or so but it's nice it's lasted this long. |
Anonymous
| Lots of tv and video games. Every noe and then mine will build a model, work on a puzzle, play pool, go for a jog or ride bikes. But, tv is the go to activity along with sleeping and eating, unless I organize a family game night, bike ride, hike or other outing. My teen gave up toys at about 11 and a half. |
Anonymous
Thanks, PP. Your guy sounds more like mine. Do all the tv/ video games bother you or is this the new normal ( within reason.). I guess I just feel like I am frustrated with it and nag quite a bit. We do have parameters around screen time during the week so that helps. I don't want to spend the next 7 yrs nagging at him to " do" something. Like yours, he will still occasionally build a Lego, pick up a book during the day ( but he reads an hour or more at bed time and loves it so I am not too concerned about this), maybe go for a short bike ride, but other than that nothing unless a few friends happen to be home and outside. Oh well, I guess we are in a transition stage between little boy and teenager and I need to relax. I am sure there are going to be bigger issues ahead than too much tv/ video games. Thank you for sharing! |
Anonymous
| Cooking. Mine's a girl though. She makes something virtually every "off" day. Also walks to the stores near us and buys little things like makeup or snacks, shoots hoops in the back yard. Skypes with friends, video games, computer, reads, naps, watches TV. |
Anonymous
PP here. Yes, it drives me crazy, especially because I am not a TV or videogame person. Electronics rarely holds my attention and I get irritated about the noise of TV and videogames. I have tried to get him interested in hobbies, such as model building, with limited success. Some evenings, I will make him cook - like making cupcakes for a younger sibling's school party or brownies to take to someone's house. And, I do require some type of after school activity, which once he starts, he enjoys, but he wouldn't be motivated to enroll himself without my insistence. I actually don't think he is that different than my siblings were at his age. My family was a huge TV family, so it was always on and, from what I can remember, my brothers watched a lot. Now we have even more electronic and screen options. The only good side is this. I have a ready go to punishment if I need it - though, fortunately he is very well behaved and I rarely have to threaten to take away electronics. |
Anonymous
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TV and video games, sometimes a movie with friends, reading.
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