What could be the problem? My 7 yr old son doesn't like to do anything?

Question

For example, the other day my son & his girlfriend were babysitting him & his 5 yr old sister & they asked if the kids wanted to go out for a bike ride & my son started crying because he didn't want to go. My oldest son stayed inside w/ him & the girlfriend took my daughter out. He does this with me & his dad too. He just prefers to stay indoors when he has a choice & sometimes really freaks out if he thinks he has to go somewhere besides school. Unless ofcourse there is a new toy involved, then he will go, but to the grocery store or to run errands or bike rides or to the park, he would rather stay home. It makes my husband kinda upset that he never wants to go anywhere & I'll admit, it is a little annoying. He doesn't have a "fear" of the outdoors, so any ideas why he would be this way?

Answer 1

My son used to want to stay in all the time.  One summer, we totally unplugged all the electronics---we even cancelled cable for the summer!  It was hard being without tv or internet, but we could rent movies when we wanted to, and we had so much family time, it was awesome.  We lived outside!  We only came in to eat and sleep, we rode bikes together, planted flowers and just had the best time.  My son made friends all over the neighborhood.  When the summer was over and we turned the cable back on, he never did get as absorbed as he once was.  He still prefers the outdoors, but it was not a popular decision at first.  There were lots of fits and tantrums.  In the end, though, nobody missed the tv.

Answer 2

It might a safety issue or something...it's probably just a phase. He knows that he's safe at home and feels comfortable there.

He might be developing some type of anti-social behaviour though. I'm like that, and I never want to go out.

If it doesn't pass, I don't know what to suggest other than to just encourage him to come out with you.

Answer 3

I used to be like that sometimes, too. I HATED when someone wanted to make me do something  I didn't want. And I didn't want to go outside, or to a store.

Why don't you talk to him about it, and ask him what he doesn't like about going outside? Why he prefers to stay inside? Why doesn't he meet up with some of his friends outside?

Hope this helps =)

Answer 4

It could be a number of things , In my house the Computer , TV and Video game time are limited , if the kids want to stay in or up late they need to pick a good book. In the beginning it was tough getting them to read but now they love it , It turned out to be one of the best decisions we have ever made.

Answer 5

make him go outside and do  something

Answer 6

Some people just dont like being outdoors.  It is probably a phase, but you should still talk to him about it.  I hate being told I have to come somewhere, grocery store, because I want to be able to choose.  Forcing him to go somewhere every once in a while cant hurt, but dont do it all the time.  If he says he doesnt want to come on a bike ride, dont say he always has fun once he does, it just irritates the p**p out of you.  I answered this because I am a kid, and I know how it feels to not want to go somewhere.

Answer 7

I would suggest that you talk to your family doctor, not because there's something wrong with not wanting to go out, but maybe the boy is physically uncomfortable due to a minor ailment.

A private conversation with an adult at school, whether a favorite teacher or someone in the administration, might reveal some social issue at school.  If he is being bullied by other kids, that could easily cause him to stay inside.

I would also suggest not making a big deal about it for the time being unless and until it really seems to be a serious problem.   And it could turn out ot be a good thing --  Maybe your indoor kid will grow up to be a great thinker or another Einstein!

Answer 8

just take away the tv screens and give him no choice. Kids need to get out. I tell my kids they have to play outside for 1 hr to get 1 hr of PS2

Answer 9

Don't worry about it to much,My 12 yr old daughter is very much a home bird she rather be indoors than out .She does go out and enjoy her self with her friends ,but most time like after school when friends call shes says im not going out Ive been at school all day and i just want to relax.Even on school holidays she has days in as she says i don't wont to keep running the streets.As master T said they have so much indoors what we didn't have when we were younger,that's its just as fun

Answer 10

Most likely it is a a combination of things..

guys do like to stay inside if there is anything electronically.. any age..

plus.. if he has a insecurity problem.. it makes him feel secure.. plus.. kids no if they have issues.. (  I no cuz I had one) and they don't like falling off their bike and being ruff and tuff.. they are a very tender and loving child..

he is like this bcuz? of his life.. his childhood.. mostly likely nothing u did or didn't do..

some kids are just born the way they are.. and that is that..

which is so hard on parents.. they want to think or feel it is their fault..   .. not always soooooo..

just feel blessed u have  him.. take care

Answer 11

maybe he just hates outside...I cant blame him...I dont really like outside either!...its hot out there

Answer 12

Do you have a fast internet connection or a lot of channels?

We live in an age where rich media can be more captivating than going outdoors. You should try to set up some play dates with him and other kids ( at your place) and then slowly those kids will have outdoorsy stuff to do-- bike rides, football, street hockey, beer runs....maybe not yet.

anyway-- get him some friends and he will be all over the place and not just at home.