Entertaining kids

[Linnis]

Okay recently my BIL's GF has decided to take on more of the day to day role of raising my nephew. She also wants to do "fun" things. I am happy that she's making this effort because she does plan on adopting my nephew once her and my BIL are married.

The thing is "fun" means he's always got to be entertained in some way. A movie, the beach, videogames, roller skating, taking him to a restaurant etc I tried to point out that this kind of fun makes it impossible for him to see how to make fun out of his own toys or a board game etc. The thing is she doesn't see him when he's bored because that's when I get him back.

So now I got this seven year old who cannot find fun in the things he used to. I take him to the park, he's bored within five minutes, bored games he decides that the TV should be on during the game. So I just turn on the TV and make him find some fun with his toys, drawing, we could play a game without a TV on and he'd rather sit there and do nothing. I mean nothing! I started reading a book to him and he's like "Can I turn on the TV?" and it's like you like the book don't you and it's yeah it's funny but why can't I watch TV too?

So today I'm unplugging the TV before I get him and asking him to fill a bag with toys for Auntie's house. I'm reminding him that he will have to play with these. The last time I did this he laid on the sofa for an hour and did nothing so I'm thinking of not letting him do that or should I?

 

[sunshiinedays]

It's good she is making an effort to have a relationship with your nephew, and to bond with him. But from her perspective, this new relationship might be intimidating. I'm sure she really wants this little boy to like her and love her, and wants to make a good impression on her boyfriend as well. It sounds like she's just trying to hard. It's like she's trying to buy his affections. I'm sure this is completely natural. But the situation might turn against her when she is finally married to your BIL and discovers that having this child regularly for much longer periods of time makes it rather difficult to maintain all that fun and excitement. You can't buy (or rollerblade ) your way into someone's heart. As for your nephew being bored when he comes home... he'll realize eventually that not everybody will do cartwheels for him.

 

[Linnis]

Well I spoke with my BIL's GF since she lives with my nephew and helps with the day to day parenting when I'm not there. I talked to her about the amount of TV/Video games/computer and how I think it needs to be limited. We ALL me included get too much of it. She agreed that he's got no imagination and she'll help me with the less TV more play with your toys, board games etc

Yesterday we had half an hour of TV! We walked the dog, went to the park, cleaned. Then he played with the toys I asked him to pick out. GI joes and helicopers and jeeps etc Hehe. Normal boy playing or at least to me.

I let him watch the Spongebob special because he'd been waiting all week for it but then after that we read more of the book we're reading and we're now on Chapter 10.

I think we can keep this up, although we'll have to get to the library more often to get more books to keep him busy.

 

[sunshiinedays]

I think where you live makes a big difference with what you can do with young children too. We're blessed to live in a small town, on a dead end, next door to a park. So even though my kids are young I can send them out to play without having to go with them to watch them. Plus there are tons of other kids their age on our street. As long as the weather is decent, there's lots for them to do. How old is your nephew?

 

[Linnis]

I think where you live makes a big difference with what you can do with young children too. We're blessed to live in a small town, on a dead end, next door to a park. So even though my kids are young I can send them out to play without having to go with them to watch them. Plus there are tons of other kids their age on our street. As long as the weather is decent, there's lots for them to do. How old is your nephew?

He's 7 and in second grade. My husband and him are outside playing catch right now.

 

[Princessperky]

Well my advice (that I tried to type the other day) was Kill the TV and keep your imagination active. Looks like you are already doing that .

OH you might find a new board game or new card game will help. (more chalanging, new to you is even better)

 

[Linnis]

I'm thinking of getting Monopoly Jr and or Clue Jr for him for Christmas. We had several board games but he was allowed to play with them without one of us so they don't have any of the men or cards left.

Yesterday, we watched one thing and it was a preapproved movie with Mickey and Goofy and Donald. We also played with his toys, practiced his spelling and read 4 more chapters of our book. He actually wanted to stay up late to hear more of the story! So hopefully I can get him into listening to novels, spark his interest in wanting to read well.

 

[Princessperky]

He is 7? I was playing regular monopoly at 7 (deal out the property to finish in one night) and clue, loved that at 7. The regular version.

You know him better than I do, I was just wondering if he might prefer a harder challange. (could be reverse, like I said I never met him)

 

[Linnis]

I tried the real monopoly with him several times but the math is too complicated and even if I can help he won't do it. If I try to draw him out, it basically becomes me playing for two people. Or we get it all set up and then he's bored and won't play.

Clue scares him. Considering you have to discovering who killed Mr. Body in what room with what weapon. Clue Jr I think you get to find who stole what pet from who.

 

[AbidingInHim]

loves games with stradegy, abttleship, connect four, checkers chess,

does he have any special interests like knights, cowboys ect?

 

[Linnis]

Superman. Of all things his fav show is Smallville and as sexual is that show if it was up to me he wouldn't watch it.


He's learning how to play chess.