first HI to the person from grandview mo who recently dropped by ... I'm very familiar with that area.
ok so my son who is 6 has 12 and 13 year old friends ... why don't younger kids live near by to play with? so these friends are always hanging out here and then my son wants to go hang out with them. My mom's concern is that these boys will be smoking cigarettes and my son will be right there as well.
My concern is they are too old for him to play with. Sure right out here in my yard where I can oversee things, no problem ... anywhere where I can't oversee big problem.
So again I am usually the adult as these boys do boy things - like wrestle why oh why do boys have to wrestle, someone usually gets hurt and/or play wrestling turns into a real fight because tempers flare up ... and then there's me .. .the short, barely looks old enough to be a mom, mom trying to help everyone calm down.
I've taken them on a boat ride, to a beach lake around here, to a park with go-karts, and supervised the swimming many times. Well today my son is up the street at one of the kids pool and his mom is taking a turn being the adult supervision.
My DH says we've got to let go sometime...and again our son is only 6. Not 12 or 13.
DH says when he was 6 he ran around his neighborhood which was a military base and he did admit times were different then. My mom said if I left the yard at that age my b#tt was grass.
Now my son seems to think everyday needs to be a fun filled adventure .. staying at home is boring, doing the daily stuff that needs to be done is boring to him. I normally try to aim for one activity a day and even with the cost of everything I think one activity a week would be ok.
Am I being a "stick in the mud"? I thought the definition of a home schooler and stay at home mom were people who spent most of their time at home, not running all around town spending money in order to do something. My son has decided that he's too old for the free, simple fun activities we used to do...like playing outside, walking to a park, and/or riding his bike/scooter/heelies, etc. He also seems to be wanting to spend less time with me and more with others and this really hurts me.
There are many acitivities that I'd like to do but when they tell me I can't bring my son, I just don't go to these activities. I'm not big on any furch that tells me to just stick my kid in nursery/children's furch etc so I can not be "distracted" during the (easy believism) sermon.
I do let my son know that at his age many people feel like they are babysitting him ((even his own dad uses that phrase when I have to be out and he is home with DS)) and people don't want to babysit but I on the other hand want to spend every possible moment with him and have him with me. And yet everyday.."can I play with so and so" "can I go such and such place with so and so" again no more usual things and prices are outrageous right now so again isn't one activity that's a monetary cost and a daily free activity good enough? anymore?
5 comments:
Sounds like your baby is growing up! I'm still at the opposite extreme from you, my kids want me by their side 24/7. But I know it won't last, and one day I won't be so "cool" anymore, and they'll want to spend more and more time away from me. I'm dreading that day as well. But I think it's all a part of growing up and becoming independent and kids wanting to learn stuff on their own. Hopefully, if the kids he hangs out with are good kids, the stuff he learns is harmless. If not, you'll just have to be the "mean mom" and say NO! Either way, hang in there, one day you'll be the "cool mom" again and he'll need/want you around more often!
No, you are not a "stick in the mud." Wanting to spend as much time as possible with your child is wonderful. Also, I think one activity a week is good too. What's wrong with being bored? Today in this high tech, busy, busy, entertainment world, simple things have gone by the wayside. I am too dealing with some of these issues myself with our 6 yr ds. Finding a balance is hard.
I pray each day for guidance, patience, and a humble heart.
No, you are not a "stick in the mud."
Wow! I know EXACTLY what you mean!!! We used to live right next door to 3 older boys ages 13, 14, & 15...my sons are 9 and almost 11....mind you, I DID NOT LIKE them playing with those older boys. They played too rough, they used foul language, and when they didn't like what my boys did or said they would lash out at my boys!!! I'm not big (tall) either (nor do I look my age), but I had to confront them a few times and my husband had to confront their parents a few times.
Needless to say, I don't think you can ever be a "stick in the mud" for protecting your son and keeping him nearby.
AND, part of the reason we moved was because our neighbors...now we don't have ANY neighbors...my situation is different since we have more children BUT they get bored just the same.
I do have a question though...do you have any homeschool groups nearby that you could get together with at a park? When we moved I hopped online (on Yahoo groups) and found a local homeschool group in my area. They have play dates twice a month so my children can play with others...it's just a thought, but I thought I would run that by you.
Anyway, just wanted you to know that I completely understand where you are coming from.
Have a blessed week!
Heather
Heather: Yes we are part of the local homeschool group. They have a once a week park day but DS being an only child, once a week is not enough....yet with these gas prices, it sure is enough for me LOL
We're currently looking at houses to buy one and a main concern is still in this town but far enough away from these boys...they are nice and all when it's just one of them but get them together and trouble starts.
I do try to give them some profound bit of Biblical wisdom at every opportunity.
After all, where would any of us be without our Messiah?
Hello, I couldn't get to your start while I was on the temporary dial up set up, so I'm catching up. The only caution I would throw out is just from my own experience. My youngest is 4, oldest is 15. Oldest is very aware of trying to be a good influence on younger boys, but life happens and his friends come over (all are either homeschooled or christian schooled) and the sad fact is the younger boys have been exposed to more wordly influences just because of having an older brother and his friends. At the sam time, if I want to know whats going on with the teenagers I like them to hang out here and get to know them. Nothing is perfect.
Post a Comment