What Are Kids Doing on a Daily Bases?

Updated on August 12, 2011
J.M. asks from Chesterfield, MO
7 answers

During the school year my 10 y/o son plays video games on the weekend only. But this summer its been a few hours here and there. If he had it his way it would be all day long! He does karate but nothing else. And if he's not playing video games he's moody. I try to get him to read a book which he does for about 10-15 min and its a struggle to get him to do it, go outside (when it's not too hot) or play games with his sister. There are no kids in our neighborhood for him to play with and when he gets together with his friends, they play, you guessed it video games. He is completely bored without video games. What kinds of things are your boys doing on a daily bases. Mine mopes around.

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A.R.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi there!
Kids play a lot of video games IF you let them. My son loves them; however during vacations or school time, he is not allow to play too much. He swims and attend PE all year long, and plays baseball. He is Boy Scout and loves it! During Summer he had sleepovers with his friends and rode their scooters (more than bycicles!); we went to the pool, and we went away a few times this year to relax. He also reads a lot, and he has to help around the house. Chores don't have to be boring, and help with the "addiction" of video games, "addiction" that yourself can avoid for yor kid. Just do not let him to play whenever he wants. At the beginning he will fight and he will be saying " " I'am bored!"..Just don't listen to him. Ask him to help you with the gardening outdoor (put new mulch, cut branches, etc...)Keep him ACTIVE, so he doesn't miss the video games or WII etc.
You may want to enroll him in a few activities like Boy Scouts, swimming, any sport he likes or prefers, art, music, but do not enroll him in so many things at once, it becomes stressful for everybody! (been there..)a couple of activities would be nice. Go together to the library twice or more times a week, have him to discover what he likes to read. My son loves Harry Potter, Percy Jackson Series and History, Mythology, your son probably has not found an interesting topic to read more.He needs to discover it. Have a "family time" ans play board games, watch a nice movie, etc. We have in the kitchen a "game jar" with all the possible things to play together as a family. Believe me, we are a busy family, I home school, so we try to find a minute to do this and more.....but it is a wonderful time for all of us! The kids choose the game from the"game jar" and we play it, we usually do it twice a week or during weekends.
Be patient, set your rules about video games and look for activities that keep your kid amused away from video games, I am sure you will find great ideas from other moms H.!
Good luck!

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V.S.

answers from Harrisburg on

I try to get them (I have three boys) out and to the park 2-3 days a week. My oldest does start the day with his DS but I try to limit it by just keeping him busy. Offer card games, board games or a ball! If you are able get outside with him and kick a soccer ball back and forth or try a different sport.

I think I get bored more the the kids do though!

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M.J.

answers from Joplin on

ok wow. my son is in all sports, and has a girlfriend but when he is not doing those things he plays video games. especially COD. (call of duty) that is normal. at least he is not trying "new" things. LIKE DRUGS or DRINKING. Yes it happens at young ages. If you take things away from kids they will find a way to do it. My thought, keep the lines of communication open at all times. If he is over weight I would also be concerned. but otherwise let him play his games. its too hot outside anyway.

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M.T.

answers from New York on

My son is 12. During the summer, he spends 5 weeks at day camp and a week away at scout camp. When is is at home, he invites friends over, rides his bike, does carving, plays with his pets, builds more advanced lego things, reads and does summer homework, and I take him to swim at the lake (we buy a summer membership) and occasional trips to the water park. We keep him busy. We don't own a video game system. If he gets moody when he does anything but play video games, I'd get rid of the game system permanently.

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A.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Most boys these days play video games. A lot. All you can do is try to involve them in other things, as well. I finally gave up the video game fight, 'cause it was a losing battle. I found that girlfriends are the best cure for video games. :)

And yes, IMO video games are kind of addictive, that's why you notice withdrawal responses from him.

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J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

.

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H.1.

answers from Des Moines on

Well mine is only 15 months old, so that's a whole other story! :P

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