8th grade boys

[Anonymous]

I wonder about this too, because I worry about my 8th grader not hanging out with friends more. He has baseball most weekends and does Scout stuff (camping, community service projects) some weekends. Does homework, plays video games, watches TV/Netflix/sports.

[Anonymous]

Some weekend night are just hanging out at home after going to dinner or whatever, but sometimes there are sleepovers, a movie, an outing of some sort. It’s a mixed bag. There have been periods in the past when ds didn’t seem to socialize much and I worried, but the wave seems to be twards more socializing now.

We don’t allow ds social media, but there is a heck of a lot of texting, and virtual socializing with friends via headsets while playing xbox (on the rare occasions that’s allowed).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder about this too, because I worry about my 8th grader not hanging out with friends more. He has baseball most weekends and does Scout stuff (camping, community service projects) some weekends. Does homework, plays video games, watches TV/Netflix/sports.

If you’re concerned make an effort to make plans a few weekends a month. Have him ask a friend or if he’s too shy you reach out to the parents of one of his friends and invite them to go to the movies or something. There was a time where my son was not confident enough to initiate making plans so I would need to encourage him sometimes or I would reach out. Fast forward now he’s much more comfortable but I don’t regret helping him along the way until he had the confidence to do so himself.

[Anonymous]

Weekend nights - 1-2x month over at a friends house or friend over at our house. Otherwise, hanging out with us and little brother, playing fortnite, doing homework.

Weekend days - homework, sports practice, 3-4x month over at a friends house or friends over at our house. More difficult because he's not at a neighborhood school so friends are spread far and wide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder about this too, because I worry about my 8th grader not hanging out with friends more. He has baseball most weekends and does Scout stuff (camping, community service projects) some weekends. Does homework, plays video games, watches TV/Netflix/sports.

If you’re concerned make an effort to make plans a few weekends a month. Have him ask a friend or if he’s too shy you reach out to the parents of one of his friends and invite them to go to the movies or something. There was a time where my son was not confident enough to initiate making plans so I would need to encourage him sometimes or I would reach out. Fast forward now he’s much more comfortable but I don’t regret helping him along the way until he had the confidence to do so himself.

Yeah, I've tried this. Offered to drive kid and friends to movies/HS football games/school functions. Offered to host friends for football/baseball watching get-togethers. Encouraged him to ask friends over to play video games. Coached kid on asking friends to do stuff. Kid is not interested. I've opted to encourage him to participate in group activities like sports teams and scouting, which he enjoys and feels comfortable with. But I worry that he's so uncomfortable reaching out to friends to do stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are yours doing on weekend nights?

Suzy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder about this too, because I worry about my 8th grader not hanging out with friends more. He has baseball most weekends and does Scout stuff (camping, community service projects) some weekends. Does homework, plays video games, watches TV/Netflix/sports.

If you’re concerned make an effort to make plans a few weekends a month. Have him ask a friend or if he’s too shy you reach out to the parents of one of his friends and invite them to go to the movies or something. There was a time where my son was not confident enough to initiate making plans so I would need to encourage him sometimes or I would reach out. Fast forward now he’s much more comfortable but I don’t regret helping him along the way until he had the confidence to do so himself.

Yeah, I've tried this. Offered to drive kid and friends to movies/HS football games/school functions. Offered to host friends for football/baseball watching get-togethers. Encouraged him to ask friends over to play video games. Coached kid on asking friends to do stuff. Kid is not interested. I've opted to encourage him to participate in group activities like sports teams and scouting, which he enjoys and feels comfortable with. But I worry that he's so uncomfortable reaching out to friends to do stuff.

Others will tell you to just stay out of it at this age but I disagree. If you’re worried then you should go ahead and make some plans for him and see where it goes. I’m giving you that advice from someone who’s been there with a child who was so insecure about asking others he would rather just sit home and be alone and wait to be asked.