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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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What does your child do on the weekend?
I have an 8 year old boy. He is an only child. Also on the spectrum.
What do you do with your child on the weekend? Aside from any classes or activities that they may participate in. He has no friends from school. No relatives. No friends outside of school. So playdates are pretty much non existant. I have to do things around the house, so me "entertaining" him all day is not really an option. We play games here and there through the day. He is not a TV or movie watcher. What keeps your kid busy when you spend the day home?
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Posted 1/30/20 10:25 AM  |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Does he have an ipad? My son got really into minecraft at that age and while it is on the ipad they can be super creative.
Can you also get him lego sets that he can work on putting together?
Maybe a playstation or other video game console?
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| Posted 1/30/20 10:52 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
What keeps your kid busy when you spend the day home?
Honestly- her ipad.
She does like to do some crafts or more creative play but lately she's super into some dumb game and she plays with her friends on their ipads. It's kind of annoying but it's winter so it's not like she's out in the pool or playing outside.
Sometimes she will want to go outside and ride her scooter for a bit, she likes to take walks with me when I get the motivation to get off my @ss, lol, we take her out on errands with us on weekends, to the library to get more books , out to lunch etc
But mainly she likes to play on her ipad or watch you tube videos in her free time
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| Posted 1/30/20 11:01 AM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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What does your child do on the weekend?
DD is only 4 so easier to entertain I guess. She’s also an only child. Aside from classes and play dates/parties we run errands, go out for brunch, play board games with her. She likes those craft kits at 5 below. Plays with toys.
As an aside, board games are the only thing, in 4 years, that has made me second guess having another kid. I now know that’s why people have more than one. It’s to not have to play 72 rounds of guess who in 2 hours.
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| Posted 1/30/20 11:04 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Join Cub Scouts?
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| Posted 1/30/20 11:23 AM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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What does your child do on the weekend?
My 7yo has a wii, a tablet, and a switch but she doesn't use them often at all. She'll do legos sometimes, craft projects, build forts, draw, make outfits for her barbies or decorations for her dollhouse. She likes making her own lunch or snacks which is a production. She'll spend on an hour in the bath. However, she'd watch tv all day long if we let her.
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| Posted 1/30/20 11:32 AM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19458 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Ski club, religion, scouts, ipad, board games, sibling, friends, family. I would try to cultivate friendships with others, mom groups, weekend sports, the ymca, swim classes, museums, day trips, william Sonoma has kids cooking classes, bounce place, art class.
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| Posted 1/30/20 11:36 AM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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What does your child do on the weekend?
Reading all these answers makes me feel so much better. He is perfectly content to spend the day on his xbox/kindle/computer. Now I don't feel so bad seeing as that is what other kids are doing as well.
I mean we do run errands and things here and there as needed. But that's not an all the time thing.
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| Posted 1/30/20 11:51 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Posted by LuckyStar
As an aside, board games are the only thing, in 4 years, that has made me second guess having another kid. I now know that’s why people have more than one. It’s to not have to play 72 rounds of guess who in 2 hours.
My Little Pony Monopoly is another front runner for that award.
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| Posted 1/30/20 1:24 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Posted by jamnmore
Reading all these answers makes me feel so much better. He is perfectly content to spend the day on his xbox/kindle/computer. Now I don't feel so bad seeing as that is what other kids are doing as well.
I mean we do run errands and things here and there as needed. But that's not an all the time thing.
You are definitely not alone. You can't be running and doing organized activities every minute. I work all week and I am lazy as shit in general so on the weekends I like to ass sit and veg a lot.
Especially when it's cold as fk outside.
I think it's also good for kids to figure out how to entertain themselves once in a while. And to know that life isn't about being entertained and enthralled every second of every day.
It builds character. 
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| Posted 1/30/20 1:26 PM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Posted by jamnmore
Reading all these answers makes me feel so much better. He is perfectly content to spend the day on his xbox/kindle/computer. Now I don't feel so bad seeing as that is what other kids are doing as well.
I mean we do run errands and things here and there as needed. But that's not an all the time thing.
This is why Frozen Trouble is my current favorite game. You have to freeze this silicone ice mold to make the game pieces and whoever melts last wins. It's kind of messy but the fact that you can only play once and then you have to freeze it again is so worth it lol. It was definitely invented by parents who don't want to play boardgames on repeat.
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| Posted 1/30/20 1:35 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Posted by MrsT809
This is why Frozen Trouble is my current favorite game. You have to freeze this silicone ice mold to make the game pieces and whoever melts last wins. It's kind of messy but the fact that you can only play once and then you have to freeze it again is so worth it lol. It was definitely invented by parents who don't want to play boardgames on repeat.
OMG you know I'd be turning the heat up in the house to 80 while playing this game to make it "move along" quicker.
I'd be in shorts and a tank like- LET'S PLAY!
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| Posted 1/30/20 1:41 PM |
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M514
Hi
Member since 8/10 6011 total posts
Name:
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What does your child do on the weekend?
My DD is an only child and also 8 y/o. Besides dance and ice skating on the weekends, we run errands, go out to eat, and just hang around the house. She’ll craft, listen to music in her room, watch tv/movie, read, play with her American Girl dolls, bake, help me with the laundry and clean the house. We really try to limit the amount of time she plays with her apps.
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| Posted 1/30/20 3:16 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19458 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Posted by MrsT809
Posted by jamnmore
Reading all these answers makes me feel so much better. He is perfectly content to spend the day on his xbox/kindle/computer. Now I don't feel so bad seeing as that is what other kids are doing as well.
I mean we do run errands and things here and there as needed. But that's not an all the time thing.
This is why Frozen Trouble is my current favorite game. You have to freeze this silicone ice mold to make the game pieces and whoever melts last wins. It's kind of messy but the fact that you can only play once and then you have to freeze it again is so worth it lol. It was definitely invented by parents who don't want to play boardgames on repeat.
this sounds awesome
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| Posted 1/30/20 4:18 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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What does your child do on the weekend?
My son is 8. He plays travel hockey so we are not home much but when he is home he plays outside, builds legos helps us with construction on our house. Very rarely does he play video games or sit in front of the tv. He’s always has to move
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| Posted 1/30/20 6:35 PM |
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Mags1227
Just a mommy ...
Member since 10/10 2665 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
karate
homework if he didn't feel like doing it on friday night
park (unless it's raining, I make DH take him for at least an hour)
tidying up
family movie
legos
books
religion and Mass
visiting grandparents
if he's really bored we'll do a craft or cook/bake together
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| Posted 2/1/20 12:14 PM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
My kids tag along.
We do have ballet for one kid on Sat AM.
Otherwise, we do something as a family.
This weekend, family. Last 2 weekends, ski. Before that, 2 birthdays (family). Sometimes it’s just going to the grocery store or out to eat. Sometimes it’s going to a museum or the library.
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| Posted 2/1/20 6:44 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
A little unsolicited advice, but as a mother of a 21 year old on the spectrum also, I would urge you to try to facilitate playdates or activities outside of school at a playplace with his peers. Because, our cute little kids with Autism grow up to be adults with Autism who *need* social skills, and a friend or two in life. It's a hard transition to adulthood for these kids. Trust me, I know this, as I'm currently living it.
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| Posted 2/3/20 9:39 AM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Posted by BargainMama
A little unsolicited advice, but as a mother of a 21 year old on the spectrum also, I would urge you to try to facilitate playdates or activities outside of school at a playplace with his peers. Because, our cute little kids with Autism grow up to be adults with Autism who *need* social skills, and a friend or two in life. It's a hard transition to adulthood for these kids. Trust me, I know this, as I'm currently living it.
Thank you. I can only imagine. Problem is he is in a self contained class. And he is a serial playdater. He has a playdate with a kid and then they never return our calls. And he has the same 15 kids in his class since K. So we have been through all 15 kids for play dates already. Hubs and I have no friends with kids his age. Our friends are already grandparents. So, we just don't know where to go to meet new poeple for any of us.
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| Posted 2/3/20 1:04 PM |
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Hopefulmama
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 1014 total posts
Name:
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Posted by jamnmore
Posted by BargainMama
A little unsolicited advice, but as a mother of a 21 year old on the spectrum also, I would urge you to try to facilitate playdates or activities outside of school at a playplace with his peers. Because, our cute little kids with Autism grow up to be adults with Autism who *need* social skills, and a friend or two in life. It's a hard transition to adulthood for these kids. Trust me, I know this, as I'm currently living it.
Thank you. I can only imagine. Problem is he is in a self contained class. And he is a serial playdater. He has a playdate with a kid and then they never return our calls. And he has the same 15 kids in his class since K. So we have been through all 15 kids for play dates already. Hubs and I have no friends with kids his age. Our friends are already grandparents. So, we just don't know where to go to meet new poeple for any of us.
I don’t know where you are located but look into the Family Center for Autism is Garden City. Unfortunately it’s very expensive, but they have a beautiful facility and great classes and social opportunities for children and teens with autism. I take my little boy to their sensory gym but there are video game, art, cooking classes etc for older kids.
Message edited 2/3/2020 1:30:14 PM.
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| Posted 2/3/20 1:29 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Posted by jamnmore
Posted by BargainMama
A little unsolicited advice, but as a mother of a 21 year old on the spectrum also, I would urge you to try to facilitate playdates or activities outside of school at a playplace with his peers. Because, our cute little kids with Autism grow up to be adults with Autism who *need* social skills, and a friend or two in life. It's a hard transition to adulthood for these kids. Trust me, I know this, as I'm currently living it.
Thank you. I can only imagine. Problem is he is in a self contained class. And he is a serial playdater. He has a playdate with a kid and then they never return our calls. And he has the same 15 kids in his class since K. So we have been through all 15 kids for play dates already. Hubs and I have no friends with kids his age. Our friends are already grandparents. So, we just don't know where to go to meet new poeple for any of us.
I hear you on that, because my son was also in a self contained class with the same kids up until 3rd grade. But, I will say, that most of them did come over for repeat playdates and to his birthday parties, etc. But, as a 21 year old, and as time went on, those friendships mostly fizzled, with the exception of a couple, and here we are struggling to maintain a meaningful social life for him. It's hard, it's hard on US, and quite frankly it all sucks sometimes!
I'm not sure where you live, but there are some great Long Island Autism groups on Facebook where parents connect and their kids get together. I can direct you to them if you want!
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| Posted 2/3/20 1:30 PM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by jamnmore
Posted by BargainMama
A little unsolicited advice, but as a mother of a 21 year old on the spectrum also, I would urge you to try to facilitate playdates or activities outside of school at a playplace with his peers. Because, our cute little kids with Autism grow up to be adults with Autism who *need* social skills, and a friend or two in life. It's a hard transition to adulthood for these kids. Trust me, I know this, as I'm currently living it.
Thank you. I can only imagine. Problem is he is in a self contained class. And he is a serial playdater. He has a playdate with a kid and then they never return our calls. And he has the same 15 kids in his class since K. So we have been through all 15 kids for play dates already. Hubs and I have no friends with kids his age. Our friends are already grandparents. So, we just don't know where to go to meet new poeple for any of us.
I hear you on that, because my son was also in a self contained class with the same kids up until 3rd grade. But, I will say, that most of them did come over for repeat playdates and to his birthday parties, etc. But, as a 21 year old, and as time went on, those friendships mostly fizzled, with the exception of a couple, and here we are struggling to maintain a meaningful social life for him. It's hard, it's hard on US, and quite frankly it all sucks sometimes!
I'm not sure where you live, but there are some great Long Island Autism groups on Facebook where parents connect and their kids get together. I can direct you to them if you want!
I feel like I belong to a ton. We do some of the outings on the weekends when we can. But he never interacts with the kids. Last fall he played football and even then, you could tell that he was just on the edge of the friendships that the boys were forming. And we live in a huge school district. While he goes to his home school, everyone else in his class is from other areas of the same district. One kid lives 45 minutes away from the school. It is so hard. You can see that he wants to interact but he does not know how. And now that he is a bit older he is starting to be shy around others. And when I do take him places, he just wants to cling on me. I am looking for a respite or cam hab worker for him to take him more places and get him away from his dependence on me.
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| Posted 2/3/20 8:45 PM |
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b2b777
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 4474 total posts
Name:
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What does your child do on the weekend?
I definitely suggest cub scouts. There are meetings twice a month, and then tons of activities you can choose to do or not do. I was telling a friend that if i was ever new to a school or town it would be the first thing i would sign up for. They really could keep you busy every weekend if you wanted.
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| Posted 2/5/20 10:21 AM |
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ml110
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
Name:
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What does your child do on the weekend?
im in the same boat... except my boys aren't on the spectrum. I have 2 boys 9 and 6... we don't have family around that helps break up the day (i grew up playing with my cousins most weekends). And neither of them really have friends outside of school (both of their teachers say they are very social in school. but outside of school, they don't get invited to do anything really. and I'm hesitant to invite other kids to do things because i'm pretty anti social myself LOL and my boys also get bored easily so i end up having to play referee with other people's kids- no thanks!! LOL) DH and I are also lazy, and so we all end up just hanging around the house all weekend every weekend. they're both in scouts, but that seems to slow down in the winter... they do swimming but thats on tuesday nights... my older one plays basketball, but thats only for an hour on saturdays.... i don't like taking them to the indoor play places in the winter with the fly and crap that goes around... so, we all just go stir crazy. sometimes we'll bundle up and go for walks/ hikes whatever, or my husband will take my older one skiing... but for the most part, we all just go stir crazy at home :-/
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| Posted 2/9/20 10:13 AM |
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Mrs213
????????
Member since 2/09 18986 total posts
Name:
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Re: What does your child do on the weekend?
My kids really love board games which is torture for me but I do it lol.
They have iPads, play Nintendo switch, do arts and crafts on their own. But I am constantly playing referee cause all they do is argue 
They also seem to enjoy the library. Blows my minds because they have like 1000 toys at home they don’t touch but they become very engaged with the toys at the library. I would maybe look to try to get him in an activity like maybe karate or swimming so he can burn off some energy and make some friends
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| Posted 2/14/20 9:24 AM |
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