marabeth
01-05-2007, 11:58 AM
I'm trying to find what really interests my 11 yr old. He is a decent baseball player but hasn't wanted to play the last two years. He was intimidated by the big pitchers when he got moved up...well, now he's among the older ones (though he's not a big guy) and he thought he might want to play again. I found out about a batting coach in the area, and K-son was interested at first, but now says he doesn't want to do it (and he's a good hitter who bats mainly lefty, but can switch, too!). He says he would like to play soccer again, but the local rec league is so full of bad attitudes and lame coaches I don't even want to be around these people! There is another league, but you have to be "invited" to play by a coach who builds their own team....augh!
In a way, it might be okay if the boys aren't into team sports with our flexible schedule and us liking to travel. their dad was never into team sports and neither was I- we both were into outdoor sports. K-son had a great time on the river last year and we want to get a couple of duckies (inflatable, sit-on-top kayaks) so we can do more family river trips. We've also been biking more, the boys both enjoy skiing....it's just hard to not think that they're "supposed" to be doing the stuff most kids are doing- maybe it's just something I need to let go of.
I guess I worry sometimes, because K-man especially can be good at something, but he is not driven- he isn't interested in practicing a skill or working at something and getting better. and if he isn't instantly good at something, he'll just be really silly and not be interested at all. I've been trying to guide him toward things that he likes -he likes making movies with his camera, but is more interested in the goofy story line than learning how to use the camera well and making a story that others can understand. He likes playing with it, but I want to show him how to DEVELOP his interests. KWIM? He just finished a movie and I said, great, glad you had fun with it....but for the next one I'm going to help him plan it out a little-write out his story line, think about making some props or scenery, show him how to use the features of the camera, etc. not just turn on the camera and act silly. (believe me- he gets to be silly plenty of the time!) I think he is one of those people who makes a lot of sense in his own mind...but the rest of us don't always understand! I said to dh this morning, "I wonder what Robin Williams' mother went through?!" He's a wonderfully creative, funny kid...but needs a little direction! this morning he made snowman faces on cottonballs, then placed two on top of each other and said, "Scotty- the transporter is acting up again!" We were cracking up! but a LOT of times no one gets his jokes- and he blurts them out in the middle of a conversation about something else.
okay, I went off on a few tangents here....sorry! anyone else have trouble with finding interests your kids can "dig" into? K-man is also a huge reader and likes computer stuff- another reason we thought he website would be a neat tool for us.
In a way, it might be okay if the boys aren't into team sports with our flexible schedule and us liking to travel. their dad was never into team sports and neither was I- we both were into outdoor sports. K-son had a great time on the river last year and we want to get a couple of duckies (inflatable, sit-on-top kayaks) so we can do more family river trips. We've also been biking more, the boys both enjoy skiing....it's just hard to not think that they're "supposed" to be doing the stuff most kids are doing- maybe it's just something I need to let go of.
I guess I worry sometimes, because K-man especially can be good at something, but he is not driven- he isn't interested in practicing a skill or working at something and getting better. and if he isn't instantly good at something, he'll just be really silly and not be interested at all. I've been trying to guide him toward things that he likes -he likes making movies with his camera, but is more interested in the goofy story line than learning how to use the camera well and making a story that others can understand. He likes playing with it, but I want to show him how to DEVELOP his interests. KWIM? He just finished a movie and I said, great, glad you had fun with it....but for the next one I'm going to help him plan it out a little-write out his story line, think about making some props or scenery, show him how to use the features of the camera, etc. not just turn on the camera and act silly. (believe me- he gets to be silly plenty of the time!) I think he is one of those people who makes a lot of sense in his own mind...but the rest of us don't always understand! I said to dh this morning, "I wonder what Robin Williams' mother went through?!" He's a wonderfully creative, funny kid...but needs a little direction! this morning he made snowman faces on cottonballs, then placed two on top of each other and said, "Scotty- the transporter is acting up again!" We were cracking up! but a LOT of times no one gets his jokes- and he blurts them out in the middle of a conversation about something else.
okay, I went off on a few tangents here....sorry! anyone else have trouble with finding interests your kids can "dig" into? K-man is also a huge reader and likes computer stuff- another reason we thought he website would be a neat tool for us.