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View Full Version : I don't know what to do with my soon-to-be 6 year old.


Whisperlily
02-25-2008, 11:29 PM
I've posted about him a little before, on the old board, but I'm still drawing a blank.

First of all, he's our 3rd child of 4. Both of our older children are intense, one with special needs, and require a lot from us. The youngest is approaching 3 years, and until recently required a lot from us out of necessity.

This precious child #3... He's something special alright. He's got focus, he's got drive. He is the clown of the family (which sometimes includes irritating people just for fun or a reaction.) He simply gets bored. When he gets bored, he gets in trouble. We have more legos than any house should have (his brother could live and breathe legos and be perfectly happy.) We have plenty of toys that he enjoys, but he never plays with toys for long. He just doesn't really care about "things." We have a big backyard with plenty of room to play, swings, trees to climb, sand to play in, and he has the freedom to go in and out as he pleases.

I desperately need something he can "get into" so we can help him find his own likes and dislikes. We have promised him T-ball this spring, and he loves technology... video games and anything computer related. I also think he's eventually going to love to read. He does like books, he's just not quite fluent enough to really "get into them" yet.

He likes to cook, so I try and let him help in the kitchen, but that's not something he can do on his own.

I desperately want to showcase HIM. I want to bring him special things now and then to show I was thinking about him, but he doesn't generally place value on material things, even though he appreciates them. (which isn't bad) I have no clue what to get him for his birthday, that won't be on the floor forgotten in a day or two.

He needs something. I try to make sure he gets enough time with us, but I just think he needs something more. I just don't know what that is.

*sigh*

Pam "SFSOM" in TN
02-25-2008, 11:32 PM
He might need more productive work -- chores that actually impact the family's well-being. It might complete him to be needed and busy.

I'm not much help, but I did want to say that you are a really GREAT mom to be thinking about this so carefully.

Liz CA
02-25-2008, 11:48 PM
[

He needs something. I try to make sure he gets enough time with us, but I just think he needs something more. I just don't know what that is.

*sigh*[/QUOTE]

something here with her suggestion to have him do chores that are a great help to the family. When ds was younger I would have him do a few things around the house, asking him:"It would really help me/us if you could..."
Then when Dad got home, I pointed out what ds accomplished and how much time he saved me or how much harder it would have been for me to do it.
Can't remember if you mentioned his age but some things we had ds do with a little help:
Trim lawn
Use weed eater around edges
Collect berries/vegetables from garden
Shake out all rugs and bring them back in. (This saved my back)
Brush dog & cat (makes them feel good)
Cooking: Mix batter
Form meat patties
Stir pre-measured ingredients together

HTH.