My son turned 13 today but, since he started secondary school (uk), 18 months ago, I have noticed a steady decline in his enthusiasm for...anything really, apart from playing computer games.
I am aware that this is probably just the stage of his life where this sort of attitude develops but I would like him to experience other things in life: learn new skills, interests, etc. I would also like to help him to see the benefit to learning while at school because he doesn't see the point school.
One other complication, however, he lives with his mum and I live 40 miles away so I don't have daily face to face contact with him. Additionally, his mum seems to be fairly 'hands off' when it comes to parenting and has willingly left him to sit in front of a screen from the age of 8/9 for hours and hours on end.
Do I try to be more forceful and endevour to guide him in to hobbies and interests or let him find his own way????
EDIT***
What I haven't alluded to above was that, when he does come to stay with me, getting him to do things is no problem at all, in fact he really enjoys being out and about. The real problem that I am finding is when he is at home with his mum...I guess where my input is that much more removed and indirect.
I know the answer to this is to takle the problem collaberatively with mum but I think that is a bit of a non-starter. That is why I wanted to see if there would be a solution that would involve just me and my son...