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Anyone with a kid that can’t/won’t ride anything?

Jlbfinch's picture

My SS8stb9 is getting left behind in the neighborhood. Getting him to go outside and play is like pulling teeth as it is but all he can really do is walk and swing a play sword around. The neighbor kids and my two daughters have long surpassed him in learning to ride scooters and bikes. So what happens is he goes outside to play with all the kids that are out but then the kids decide to hop on their bikes and go down the street or around the corner and SS comes in because he got deserted. Either that or he hangs around the other deserted kid who is in pre-k and not allowed to go past a certain house. So then of course SS never wants to go outside bc he can’t keep up with the other kids. Now he is getting overweight from endless hours of video games and being a couch potato. I’ll be honest—my DH doesn’t seem to care. Any advice on what I can do to help him?

Comments

skatermom's picture

Why isn't your DH teaching him how to ride a bike? How lazy can he be? If he doesn't do it, I would probably take the bull by the horns here and teach him, it's not hard

Jlbfinch's picture

My husband says he’ll teach him if he wants to learn but it’s a hobby and not a life skill so he’s not going to force him to ride a bike. My step son has issues with anxiety. He claims to be uninterested but I’m sure that’s a coverup for being too timid. He had a scooter and was doing alright with it but he wiped out over a year ago and hasn’t gotten back on since.

Cooooookies's picture

Not much if you're DH isn't on board...

BUT if SS shows interest in riding a bike or scooter, and you don't mind doing it, teach him. Scooters are a bit easier as they don't require as much balance and coordination.

SS15 is on the spectrum so was never interested in bikes but he finally started riding a scooter at about 12 years old. Otherwise he too is 24/7 in his room staring at a screen. DH doesn't really mind so I stopped trying to change it.

You know how it goes...good luck!

Cover1W's picture

SD13 can ride a bike just fine.
She just doesn't want to. She doesn't want to do any physical activity at all. Which is sad because she was such an active kid - could have been a great runner. BUT if BM and DH don't care to make sure she's involved in stuff, that's on them.

She's going to be a very, very unhealthy older teen/adult: no exercise, terrible diet (no fruit/hardly any veggies unless it's a specific kind prepared a specific way), terrible oral hygiene habits, terrible clothing hygiene (she never washes sheets/clothing). Cancer runs in DH's family as well as heart problems.

SD11 is the opposite - but unfortunately some is starting to slip with her too; teeth brushing has slacked off and she's no longer doing karate once a week.

If DH and BM don't do it, I certainly can't without support.

momjeans's picture

Skid couldn’t ride a bike, up until a year ago. My MIL and DH worked with her and taught her. She was 10.

I place a lot of the blame on BM. She supplied skid with an iPhone and an iPad at the age of 7. She also cannot be bothered to do anything for or with skid that involves getting outside, exercising, socializing. Sad really.

kidsaplenty's picture

Yes. If you choose to take this on (rather than disengaging) do the following.

Set limits on video games (only after x a clock or only one hour a day).

Teach him how to ride things. If he is truly unteachable not just tough to teach get him occupational therapy to uncover and treat any underlying deficits.

Go on rides as a family (short, maybe to a nearby park)

Model an active lifestyle yourselves. Limited electronics, more time spent outside having fun.