"Our house is boring. You guys are old."

[Anonymous]

How much free time does she really have? I don’t agree with everyone retreating to separate screens, but even growing up my brother and I didn’t need to be constantly entertained. We had after school sports or clubs, came home to do homework, and I was perfectly content to listen to the radio and talk to my friends on the phone. We could play outside with our friends until 8:30 or 9; even as a teenager we would play flag football or hang out in someone’s backyard. My family would occasionally watch TV together which was better than everyone separating to play with their phone, I guess. Watch something fun in the living room instead of the bedroom.

I just don’t agree with needing to provide constant entertainment to kids.

[Anonymous]

I have teenagers and we have a badminton net —30 bucks from Walmart (and yes my teenagers like it).

[Anonymous]

I would say that the more money I spend on him, the more boring I get. Get a clue kid.

[Anonymous]

For my teen, one thing that we have done is that we all agree on a TV show that we are interested in and watch an episode at night together. It gives us something to talk about together all the time and a reason to all sit down together once per night before he goes to shower and we all turn to our own things. Shows we have done included the Americans, Big Little Lies, Six Feet Under, and Killing Eve.

[Anonymous]

That's a good one. I"ve taken to watching the Bachelor and bachelorette with my teen girls. At first, it was fairly excruciating but now I can talk about "that Luke" and John Paul Jones with the best of them. THinking about maybe continuing this tradition when they go to college. My daughter texts with friends during the show so maybe she'll text with me as well.

[Anonymous]

We started a habit of going for a family walk after dinner. It's very simple, achievable, and relaxing. My kids tend to talk more this way compared to at the dining table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids have started saying similar things when they come home from college. THe problem with the suggestions to 'go get cupcakes, go to a movie," is that honestly there isn't that much money left after paying for college for two kids at the same time. We honestly can't afford to entertain the kids that much when they come home.

We can't really afford to entertain ourselves that much either -- I see events at the museums, etc. that would be fun for my DH and me to do as a couple, but they're not in the budget right now.

In other words, part of the reason we're boring is that we're poor. (People do things on screens because it doesn't cost any money. That's the same reason that poor people watch a lot of TV.)

Other than board games, what are some things that we can do to get out of a rut that won't break the bank?

We invite friends and family over to our house. Definitely keeps the kids entertained!

[Anonymous]

and it’s fun for us too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so useful. We do not have much time on weeknights due to late sports practices and games on the weekend. I feel the time slipping away.

The child is happy, though.

We watched a movie during dinner last night. That was fun. It's a screen but at least we are doing it together.

When she suggests something to do, I say yes as often as I can.

Other free things:

*Kick/throw a ball around
*Free museums
*Host a potluck
*Watch a movie together. Make popcorn.
*Picnic at a lake/pond and maybe hike, too.

The DC area has lots of free events listed in the Washington Post and other places. The National Book Festival already happened, yet it's just one example of a free event that could be fun to attend as a family.

LOL. Kick/throw ball around? OP’s kid is a teenager. Are you serious?

Not app but yes! My 14 yr old and I (mom) play ping pong almost every night. Also pool. He’d happily toss a football too but prefers dad for basketball. I can’t keep up but I sometimes play pig or just rebound for him as he shoots. Corn Hole can be played by all as well.

[Anonymous]

Come on OP, how old are you? I am really curious as we have a wide range of what people think are older parents here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids have started saying similar things when they come home from college. THe problem with the suggestions to 'go get cupcakes, go to a movie," is that honestly there isn't that much money left after paying for college for two kids at the same time. We honestly can't afford to entertain the kids that much when they come home.

We can't really afford to entertain ourselves that much either -- I see events at the museums, etc. that would be fun for my DH and me to do as a couple, but they're not in the budget right now.

In other words, part of the reason we're boring is that we're poor. (People do things on screens because it doesn't cost any money. That's the same reason that poor people watch a lot of TV.)

Other than board games, what are some things that we can do to get out of a rut that won't break the bank?

Do you live in the DC Metro area??there are so many free things to do all year long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Come on OP, how old are you? I am really curious as we have a wide range of what people think are older parents here!

I bet OP is mid 50 or over.

[Anonymous]

It's great your child wants to bond more with you.. that is a gift even if it was delivered to you in a way that you did not like.

It really depends on the kid.

One of my kids loves to go for a walk with the dog with me and we talk.
One loves to go fishing and we have a pond walking distance.

We watch a series together.
Movie
Play cards
ping pong
darts
board games
family poker night


You really need to find what your kids loves and do that.

My H watches sports with them and talks about new music.

I talk about food and they go through spurts where they will want to learn how to cook something.

If it is before 8pm, you owe your kid some time... if they want your attention at 11pm... it's okay to be too tired.

[Anonymous]

I usually walk the dog in the evening, but lately I've been asking my daughter (14) to come along, and she almost always wants to. We have a nice 15-20 minutes of conversation and exercise, and then she retreats back to her room (sigh), but it's a good activity.

Another thing my teens like (17 and 14) is making s'mores in the backyard. We have a little grill pit. Sometimes we invite over a couple of neighbors to hang out, and we all make s'mores.

My girls like to bake but not necessarily *with* me. But I will usually sit in the kitchen and talk to them while they bake.

I will say that my mom *never* did stuff with us. She was a SAHM and during the week after school she cooked dinner, we ate, and then she (primarily) cleaned up. Then she'd sit down and watch television. She would never play games with us as she dislikes games, she never helped us with homework or threw a ball around with us.

I did homework on my own, I played outside with the neighborhood kids, read a book, watched tv, did homework, or spoke on the phone with my friends during the week.

My mom and I are still very close and speak on the phone almost every day, but she was just not an interactive mom with regards to activities. Yeah, I wished she was more of a "fun" mom but she wasn't. But she was still a good one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids have started saying similar things when they come home from college. THe problem with the suggestions to 'go get cupcakes, go to a movie," is that honestly there isn't that much money left after paying for college for two kids at the same time. We honestly can't afford to entertain the kids that much when they come home.

We can't really afford to entertain ourselves that much either -- I see events at the museums, etc. that would be fun for my DH and me to do as a couple, but they're not in the budget right now.

In other words, part of the reason we're boring is that we're poor. (People do things on screens because it doesn't cost any money. That's the same reason that poor people watch a lot of TV.)

Other than board games, what are some things that we can do to get out of a rut that won't break the bank?

Museums are free in DC and it’s also free to go for a walk. If you want to make it happen you can find a away. I know it’s easy to put your phone on and escape but if you want a better relationship with your daughter and it sounds like she’s begging for one, you need to make an effort starting today!!