Parents of older children.. 11 Year olds..

My oldest just turned 12, and if I let him he would spend his whole day in front of the TV or playing his video games. I just don't allow it that much. If he walks in front of a TV that is turned on he will become a zombie, it doesn't matter what the show is. The only time the older kids watch TV is first thing in the morning before I wake up, basically because I'm not there to tell them no. On weekends I just continue to let them watch while I do my computer stuff and get some coffee in me, then I work on getting moving and getting them moving and think about what we're doing that day. When we had our own yard and lived in a good neighborhood, I'd send them out and usually wouldn't see the oldest until the end of the day, I'd have to hunt him down at dinner time. He'd always be so busy with his friends.

"He is also over weight, not obese, but he could afford to push back from the table some. His mom was hoping that coming here for a week, not being able to play his games, and having to be active would open his eyes some." Obviously, if he is playing the xbox at your house then, he was able to play his games. What did you do with him that made his mom think he wasn't going to be allowed to play games and watch tv? " But should an 11 year old really be responsible for making the decision every day if he is going to sit inside all day or if he is going to be outside playing with friends.. I say outside. am I just living in a fantasy world and that when my kids get to this age I will be in SHOCK.. Do eleven year olds not play, not go outside with their friends. " When kids are eleven they certainly have their own minds of what they want to do. It is how they are raised up to that point so both you and the mom were wrong for thinking a week away would solve the problems ESPECIALLY when he brought the problem with him. (XBOX) If your kids are active now they more than likely will be active later. Obviously, they will be expressing their opinion by that time to let you know what they want to do. My ten year old nephew will be coming to visit. I worried sick. His mom won't let him go out to play because he might get hot and sweaty. Because of this he is now overweight and was diagnosed with asthma. Granted, asthma runs in our family but if the boy lost a few pounds he might not have as much trouble breathing. We do a lot outside and I can't wait to hear what his mom will have to say about that. I am setting up a slip and slide and a little pool. They will have fun even if I have to personally shoot them with water pistols. LOL Don't worry, your kids will take their cue from you. They may not like the outdoors as they get older. Only time will tell. Wish you the best.

I know that most 11 and 12 year olds love to have x boxes, play stations, computer games to play with. I have a 14 year old son and he loves playing ancient war games on his laptop, go on his play and on a small video game. He has lots of school work to do so only in moderation. Older kids today would rather spend time inside with their machines than friends outside. My 12 year old nephew is much the same with his interests. The television in his house is like a cinema screen.

well my kids are older than that. My youngest is 15 and they have never ever been allowed to just sit on a computer, game or in front of the tv. My grandson is 11. He is right into the Wii but he knows when he comes to my house ....that is a rainy day thing. I did not get into tv and since my kids never did or anything like that...my grandson did not. If he comes over and I mention the lake or anything at all....he is all over it. He just knows...the games are just if it is raining and we are for whatever reason stuck in. Even then,he isn't obsessed. We do crafts and he helps me out with stuff.

I have a 12 year old and 2 eight year olds and if I let them, they will watch TV and play video games and computer games all day long. But we push them to go out and do things and we drag them places. It is (annoying but) normal for them to complain about being taken on expeditions and to the park and so on. But afterwards they almost always say that they had a good time. Don't give up!

As i know.NOW most of children rather to stay at home play games watching TV paly computer and don't like go outside.we have a new words to description this situation' house boy'that's right ,they don't have many friends.there is am important question we should pay attention to this.we should let him touch the nature.

i don't have a child yet at the moment... but when i have one in the future, i definitely wouldn't allowed my child to watch TV and play games for the whole day... it is totally unacceptable as it is a very unhealthy lifestyle... children at that age need to socialise and have an active lifestyle to keep them healthy... and it can't be achieve if we let them become a couch potatoes... take care and have a nice day...

My 11 year old does some of both. He plays with video games, goes on his computer and watches TV, but he also plays with his younger brother and does go outside and to play occasionally. Last week he was riding his bike and hit a rock and fell and scraped up his face, shoulder, and hand. His friends are too far away for me to trust him to ride or walk to their house, so if he goes to a friends house I have to drive him, and I don't always have time. Take the kid the library and let him pick out a book or two to read, my son likes to read. If he does a certain amount time playing outside then allow him to spend some time watching TV and on the computer, it is really what they like to do at this age, just strike a balance with him.

That is something I wish to discuss too. Most of the kids nowadays are more closer to internet video games and tv shows. Human interaction is limited and far in between. These type of kids are addicted to internet games. And if you let them choose...you might be shock to realize that they will choose playing all day in front of the games rather than socializing with a human friend. Very alarming and sad.

i think parents should discipline the child as early as possible so that he knows the good manners when he was still young, maybe in their house he was not scolded by his mother by just watching TV all day long that is why he is addicted to TV. it's not right to let the child watch TV all day long or play computers all day long, there must be a limitation to these.

does he have any other interests like animals for example? if so why dont you take him to a zoo, what about sports does he enjoy them? the only thing i can suggest is to sit down and ask him about what other interests he have. also if you think he is obese try and get him to do more active things and dish up some healthier meals and tell his mother of you concern, if that does work take him to the doctors and see if they can get him to see a dietician. hope thats helped.