My 13+ boy is currently having vacation, he likes to stay awake whole night and sleeps by around 10 am, we both goto work and cannot do anything about his loneliness in the day time. At night he usually plays games on laptop and watches how stuff works videos.I wish he sleeps by midnight and wakes up by mid morning. but this whole night staying awake has become a never ending routine. Curfew doesnt work neither explaining him that same hours he can play but in day time.During weekend also it remains same, though we both try hard to spend time with him. Also because of this routine his diet is affected. He doesn't drink milk so warm milk is not acceptable. Any more guidelines... Let me tell you, though academically he is average but he is exceptional and smart programmer (I am comp enggr myself and have taught him programming) He talks quiet matured and has reply for every argument and logic.
Staying awake for whole night regularly will definitely take a toll on your son’s health and it takes time to get back to normal routine . Why not take away the laptop from him and tell him it will be given only during day time. And also can enroll him in summer classes for teens, whichever he is passionate for music , coding or whatever . Something similar to this ? Camps for Teens | Summer Camps For Teenagers
OP, Assume, he will be starting high school in upcoming year or in 8th grade. Playing all night video game is not good, eventually when the school starts it will be very hard for them to get back to regular school routine. There are sports camps available in Tennis, indoor or outdoor starts early AM. Also, youth programs available in nearby community colleges, they do teach advanced math / science classes or computer animation, photography, programming like java etc. It will give him heads up for his high school classes. If you plan with other families, it is possible to do car pooling and he will not be bored during summer.
He says all summer camps are commercial. More than actovities, they are keen for looting money. But I will search for some surely
@PLK, Teenagers need parents help to focus on their future planning for college; high school is important milestone, it will be their foundation for future studies. Talk to other high school student parents, it may help you to plan his summer vacation. Also, check nearby hospitals, they do take volunteers for social service, such as front desk to guide the visitors, flower delivery to patients, to help the discharging patients etc. Usually, their will be long wait to accept student volunteer applications. It will give him a chance to see work environment; mingle with other teenagers and take assignment / rotation at hospital volunteering. Free CPR training classes will be given for teenagers at the hospital. Once week, you can send him for volunteering, it will be helpful for college admission - social service hours in their application form. Usually, high school kids also volunteer at retirement homes, local children's museum, etc. These kind of social activities will help them to understand work ethics, working as a team, may help them choose their major in college, being empathetic to others, elders. my 2cents worth.
HI PLK, My son i 13+ yr old and exactly facing the similar situation. In my case, he is not on vacation and playing games everyday more than an hour and weekends 2-3 hours. Here the problem is my son is very hygiene freak and he himself admit him as OCD. He don't touch sister's plate, dnt play in the pool, cannot stand in toilet for long and even very small things he is saying that he hate getting dirty. He was having this problem for a while but did not affected his play/relationship with sister. Also he has no friends as started new secondary school this January. When i ask about the same, he says that he always want to be alone. i could not figure out his moods or his inner feelings. I asked him politely and calmly many times but he do not want to reveal. Recently we joined him to guitar lessons, things have improved but his hygiene freak is still the same. Can someone help me out on how to change him on hygiene thoughts. Thanks in advance!
@PLK, It is very common for kids at that age to get thrilled to stay awake late into night. In fact, this coming from the peers. But they don't stay up all night and go to bed around 2 or 3 a.m. and wake up at 10 a.m. As he couldn't drive on his own to do anything during day time and as you both are not available to drop or pick him, it is hard for him. There is nothing to worry. As you had indicated that he is very good in programming, why don't you spend a weekend making a detailed design for small application and have him code for that application? He can easily do it at home without any problem. As he will be doing what he likes, he will feel engaged. If you can train him to make a fitness app or any app related to the teens, he might be even more excited. Viswa
hey! I have my triplet of almost 14. I handle 3 children of this age at the same time. It is not easy I must say. Especially during vacations. All of their routine becomes so disturbed. I don't know when I could say that yes now is the age when it is easy to cope with your children. I have been through every stage but none is easy. My children are also enjoying their full these days. I hope these vacations end soon and they start going to their schools. and everything comes back to normal. Love to you and your family. let your kids enjoy their vacations <3