Need suggestions for inactive 7yr. old

[tkdnick]

Momofone:

That was my first thought!

Of course that was your first thought.

 

[dizzy_dave]

I have 3 other children, I can’t watch them all at once constantly, he doesn’t want to do anything! He has been to the Doc., nothing wrong there. Not to mention my wife has a household to run.

Katie1723:

Did you try unplugging the TV and taking him by the hand and going outside? He is watching TV because YOU allow it.

~ Kathy ~

 

[dizzy_dave]

StephanieC:

No child ever died from TV deprivation.

Put your TV away; take it out only for special occasion shows. Or use it as a positive reinforcement / reward.

Does your child / children see you being active?

Sloth and gluttony(of TV) are real vices that kids need to be steered away from, starting young.

Can you plug him into the local library instead? Reading all day might not give him exercise, but the benefits of reading are a thousand times better for him, now and in the long run.

He won’t read unless forced to, that’s not his thing.

Good luck!

 

[Katie1723]

dizzy_dave:

I have 3 other children, I can’t watch them all at once constantly, he doesn’t want to do anything! He has been to the Doc., nothing wrong there. Not to mention my wife has a household to run.

Seems to me you SHOULD be watching him. Who’s the boss in your home anyway? And why should he want to do anything?? You don’t MAKE him.
~ Kathy ~

 

[dizzy_dave]

Katie1723:

Seems to me you SHOULD be watching him. Who’s the boss in your home anyway? And why should he want to do anything?? You don’t MAKE him.
~ Kathy ~

I’m not sure why you snapped at me, I’m only saying I’m not the perfect parent, show me someone who is. We asked this question to get good Catholic responses not to be chewed out because we are not watching him, we do watch him, as I said we have four children and it is not possible to watch ALL of one’s children 24/7 I don’t care who you are. We do the best we can, this child is the 2nd of the 4 children we don’t have this problem with our daughter who is 8. Maybe in the future don’t be so critical of other people on these forums we are all in this together. Thank you and God bless.

 

[sparkle]

dizzy_dave:

We have four children and the oldest boy is 7 years old. He does not want to play like the other kids do. Every time we turn around he is sitting around watching T.V. We are constantly telling him to go play. We don’t like our kids watching too much T.V. When he goes outside he just sits there. We have to force him to get up and do something. The only thing he seems to do is talk alot or sneak and watch cartoons. Has anybody else been through this situation or have any ideas on what we can do for him. We just don’t think this is right. Thank you and God bless!

Hi Dizzy Dave:

Find out what he likes! Maybe he loves art, music, drawing, painting, reading, puzzles, etc., Not all kids love to be active. The secret as a parent, and something SO crucial is to try to find out how God wired them all, and all of them so differently. Ask him what he wants to do??? I know it’s SO hard being a parent. You must be a great Dad to even notice!!!

If you think he’s not well however, make a Dr. Appt.

God Bless You and Your Family Dizzy Dave

 

[Jenlyn]

Dave,

Where do you fall in the sibling chain? I’m the oldest. My daughter is the oldest of four. To put it her way when she was in Kindergarten she said she wanted to be a “lonely child” after hearing about a child that was an only child.

How close in age they are may play a part as well. My oldest sometimes feels left out. They are all 2 years apart. She likes to be by herself but she also likes to play with the others.

If he doesn’t have social problems, then that is just how he is. You have to respect that. Remember every child is different, I’m sure you are very aware of that.

Decide with your wife what amount of tv he’s allowed to watch (maybe one favorite show a day if chores are done) then sit down and talk to him about your decision. Listen to why he likes to sit and watch all day. Does he feel left out, is it his escape from all the caos of the house(every house with that many kids has caos)?

Hope this helps!

Peace,
Jen