I have a 12 year old son who if completely left up to his own devices, will spend almost all of his free time doing one of two things, playing casual computer games, and watching TV. I would like to encourage him to do stuff that involves more thinking, at the very least playing games that make you think more, like Starcraft, or even get into more educational activities. Any ideas? Thanks!
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Ask him to write you a list of:
Then see what you can do to help get him the information, tools, and time to do these things. He is your best source of what will interest him you just need to figure out how to drag the information from him. Maybe take him out to dinner, just the two of you, and see where the conversation leads. |
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I have a 12yo boy (and a 10yo) who would sit in front of the TV or play computer video games all day if... But we don't have a TV or computer video games! Problem solved. 8-) Not trying to be flip, but as parents sometimes we have to remove from the environment things that compete for attention...especially if they're non-productive. Most homes are filled with non-productive distractions. Fill the home with productive distractions and, again, problem solved. Funny thing is that the whole family does not waste hours watching TV or playing video games. We tie flies for fly-fishing, exercise, read, make stuff, blow-up things (dry-ice is awesome), cook really complicated foods, make video, play music, tease each other mercilessly, and spend a lot of time jumping on the trampoline. Asking a 12yo to not watch TV or play video games when present in the home is exactly the same as asking an alcoholic to stop drinking when their home is filled with alcohol and everyone around them is drinking. |
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There are lots of educational games. For example chess helps with logical and strategy thinking. But to help kids develop better they need lots of sport activities too. Especially boys. Also non computer activities will educate him way more better then computer ones. The more variety he has in his activities - the more educational experience he will get.
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if your are trying top find things to do for your 12 year kid they often like to get brought things like sports equipment, cloths, movies, games even though you are trying to get them out of video games you will still be able to get the day out with your kid to go have lunch or to watch a movie. another thing they like is gokarting, lazertag, bowling, timezone etc or any sport exhibitions like AFL, olympics etc or just any like lego and art etc |
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LEGO! There never was any cooler toy :-) It comes in so many varieties that there's something for him regardless if he fancies technics, cartoon robots, pirates, movie heroes, whatever. Plus, if your son insists on computer interaction, then go with LEGO Mindstorm (which lets him build a machine that must be programmed on the computer before it will run). You could limit his TV/computer use to only a set time every day. Does he have his own tv in his room? Remove it but let him watch tv in the living room. He should not sit in his room all day to goof off, but if you know he's doing creative work (like LEGO) that would be fine. (Incidentally, my 2yo son received some Lego Duplo (jumbo blocks) and we often play together - I may be 35 years older, but it's still fun!) |
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I think the best things to help get a boy up and being productive is having someone like his mom dad sister brother etc. do something with him. going outside and playing catch, playing a board game, go on a walk, or bike ride, teach him some new basketball games or moves, just spend time with him doing exciting things that HE likes, because if he doesn't like them then he'll never spend time with you guys again like that beause he'll think hes not gonna do what he wants and yeah you understand haha. |
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I would say there are two things two do Discourage "Bad" Limit time playing with stuff. Facebook, angry birds, etc. You are allowed 2 hours a day for "those" activities. Doc some allowance if he goes over his time. My brother wasn't allowed to play "shooter" or "mmo's" until he was 16. He wasn't allowed on the computer after a certain time (and not until after homework is done.) Encourage "Good" Do good things yourself and get him involved. Go outside. Play soccer. Read books together. Give a bigger allowance for things that you want to encourage. My brother, again, was encouraged to go outside. Read books (Dad got us into Wheel of time, Lord of the Rings, etc). Play games like Heroes of Might and Magic where you have to build cities, gather an army and fight on a battle board. Starcraft tournaments with other kids at church. |
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I already mentioned reading together, but really doing anything together as a family should be helpful. Families today are so busy that this rarely happens. The family activity doesn't need to be structured or even necessarily constructive--they can be, but unstructured "fun" activities can be just as enriching. Shooting hoops together or doing a service project together or (since you mentioned he just got into scouting) going camping together as a family are some things that come to mind. Anything you do together will help you learn more about your son, help your son learn more about you, and help you discover what interests he has. You will then be in a better position to suggest activities that will replace his TV/computer time. |
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Books can be one of the best forms of entertainment and learning. Based on your comments, though, it's obvious your son does not have an innate interest in books. Forcing him to read something he thinks is boring will definitely not help anything, but if you can find something that is in line his interests, it's more likely to be a positive experience. If he still has a hard time, maybe set some time aside and read out loud together. One of my fondest memories as a child was sitting on the couch with my dad one summer and each night reading a chapter from our book. |
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Does he have any sports interests? Could you suggest soccer, or baseball, or sailing, or chess, or scouting? |
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