Our 2 teenage boys never want to do anything! Any ideas?

JayleighAnn

emma12345 wrote: »

I have this problem too. My 14 year old never wants to do anything except play World of Warcraft. It's frustrating I know how you feel.

We're planning on dragging him away from his computer and taking him to Warmwell holiday park (in the Hoseasons brochure) for a short break. Have never been there before but they seem to have stuff for teenagers including a dry ski slope and skating. It's near to Weymouth. As I say I've never been there before so I don't know if it's any good though.

This thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=627301 has some more ideas.

Ahhh Wold Of Warcraft, that game is a friend/son/cousin stealer! All my male friends have dissapeared off the face of the earth to....their bedrooms/computer rooms.

I heard that some girl somewhere got so engrossed in this game, she didnt leave it for 4 days, and died from dehydration and starvation. I don't know true this is, but I heard it.

Alikay

Our boys are 14 and 17 and they don't like to do anything with us within a 10 mile radius of home, just in case their friends see them out with parents:eek:

When we insist that they partake in family activities they like bowling, trips to the seaside (as long as it includes shovelling vast amounts of small change into arcade machines and eating chips and candy floss!) and geocaching, which is a kind of cross between a hike and a treasure hunt using a small GPS (google it for a better explanation!)

They like going to London (particularly Camden and Covent Garden)and other big cities that have museums and similar attractions. They have been badgering us to go to "Go Ape" too -would yours enjoy anything like that?

S0litaire

buy them a 2 man tent and send them to a local caravan park..

trust me! a weekend away from parents they'll be chattin' up the birds and gettin' drunk like the best of them

lol!!

But a place like a caravan / tent park might be a good idea if they know the "old ones" won't be looking over their shoulders 24/7

stormbreaker

I have two teenage sons who are not unlike this! Its good to read that I am not alone. We very occasionally go to the cinema as a family. Now my eldest is 16 he just does not want to do anything with us!. Two years ago we went white water rafting and I expect he would do that again. We are thinking about a visit to Alton Towers sometime this year.

Bernie

Alikay wrote: »

...and geocaching, which is a kind of cross between a hike and a treasure hunt using a small GPS

As a self-confessed gadget and PC geek, I can heartily second this suggestion. The PC/Mapping software/planning side at home appeals to the geeky side then getting out into the countryside (or town even) does the fresh air and exercise bit. Caches are stashed everywhere about the globe now but getting to them and finding the well concealed blighters are all part of the fun.

Punch in your postcode here:

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/

...and see what caches are hidden near your home.

We've found that it is a pastime that all ages can enjoy together... and you get to find interesting corners of your own (and friends and families) backyards.

Jem8472

Get them in the ATC!!!!!

http://www.aircadets.org/

Is it great. Find you local squadron and what nights/times they meet. Get the kids into the car and drop them off.

I was in the ATC at aboout 15 and got to do shooting. including the L98 which is a single shot verson of the army rifle. Thats was great!

I went powered flying. did areobatics. Done a couple of loops myself!!!

I did a gliding course at 16 and went solo. That was a great week of amazing gliding. I could have gone back to the gliding school as a staff cadet and continued my gliding to become an instructor but sadly the school was a bit too far away and I had just started working.

hustle90

Well I'm 17 and a little similar to your sons. I don't go out that much, but thats mainly as I'm doing A levels and if I'm not browsing the internet, I'm studying and completing coursework. I do go out with friends probably one or twice a month, however we normally just hand out around each others houses rather then go to the cinema, as that all costs money and we find it more fun just hanging out, playing xbox or watching a DVD.

Do they ever go out with friends, whether it be to a friends house or other activities?.

SWMBO

If you're feeling brave give them a budget & get them to plan your holiday.

For everyday fun what about Explorer Scouts or Duke of Ediburgh Awards? Are they interested in science? If they are, perhaps you're near a BA group http://www.the-ba.net or an astronomy society.

cazac71

shadwell.17 wrote: »

If your kids are not going out and staying in their bedrooms all day, the best way to get them out of the house is to rip up their !!!!!! mags. If you see white stains on the carpet/curtains you know they are doing things that will make them go blind. Check under the mattress or remove the bottom draw from the chest of drawers and see if you can find their secret stash of razzle. If you find any lady boy mags it is probably best to get the police involved.

Spoken with the voice of experience it seems:rolleyes:

S0litaire

Scared the Bejesus out of them!!

Go all CSI!!

break out the UV light and those snazzy goggles and enter their room :D

watch then run outside quick :D