You're not alone with this dilemma! I am already thinking hard about Christmas break!
My DS is 12, but I recognize your problem. There simply is not enough stimulation in the *world* to keep him satisfied, and he plows through things so fast he can do 8 different activities by noon and wonder what's next!
I'd second what everyone above said -- ice skating, sledding, snow-fort building (where are you? we're in VT, so I'm thinking cold stuff!) anything with lots of movement. And definitely divide and conquer whenever you can, splitting parent time.
We've found having one friend over helps a lot (not more, or it's meltdown city). Or he goes to a friend's house. Almost every weekend. When a friend is over, I don't have to worry about keeping DS entertained, but I do have to worry about keeping everyone safe because the stimulation seems to escalate impulsive behaviors.
So it's a balance, but like everything else with my DS, it's more of a balancing act, more of the time, requiring more resources than I ever imagined needing for one child!
How do you entertain your ADHD child on the weekends. Now that the weather is getting colder and it gets dark so early...........the weekends seem to last FOREVER! He plays deck hockey every Saturday and maybe a playdate here and there (only has a few friends) and spends the rest of the time being a pain to everyone else- his younger brother included. And then he gets annoyed and then they fight and pick at each other ALL WEEKEND.
We try to get them to do other activities like air hockey, board games, go outside when possible, but he usually doesn't have an interest in anything. I really can't take this much time with him (love him dearly) but tooooooo much togetherness and I'm acting like someone I don't like because my patience has been long gone.
Please help..............any ideas are greatly welcomed.
Andrea
Matt 9 years old - ADHD
Ice skating, roller rink, and bowling are good physical activities during the wintertime. You also can get a mini trampoline on which he can jump. That's easy to keep indoors, for they are small.I tried to stick to a routine including some quiet time and individual play. I have an only, so the only one that mine bugs is me. I also try to include some reading time, and earn the tv and video game time.
My daughter is actually really good at entertaining herself. Our issue is if I am trying to get her to help with chores or something productive like that. But I think chores in the day help too.
My daughter does gymnastics. On Saturday they have open gym. It is two hours of time in the gym supervised but they can do what they want. There is some turn taking and she burns a ton of energy off on the trampoline.
Good Luck
Have your husband/partner take your son or both children out for a while (even to the shops) to break things up.
I'm in Australia and we have our summer/xmas holidays soon (7 weeks) and beleive me, it's not something I really look forward to as my hubby works long hours so it's just me and the kids.............and my kids tend to bicker alot!
Is there a large indoor play centre (climbing frames, slide, tubes etc.) where you can go? I can get about 2 hours with my kids at these places and whilst I have to supervise them, I can take a seat at a table with a cuppa and read/do puzzles etc.........
My son is hooked on the board game Monopoly and we were getting tired of bringing our the big board game to play as its a long winded game but we now have the card game "Monoploy Deal" which is so much fun. We sit down often during the day and play it. In Aust it costs so cheap.........maybe something like that whereby you can sit and play with your son. As my son love's it (and so do we) this will keep him occupied and generally calmer/quieter for awhile.
Good luck!
My son is 9 and adhd and ODD and I am dreading the holiday break! My son picks on his 7 yr old brother all day long!!!!! He has to be supervised all the time. And no playdates because he doesnt have friends in the neighborhood. The "friends" he does have are all of the children with behavioral issues. Hmmmmm.
Some ideas, indoor jumpy place, chuck e cheese, individual games with just you, I also make them read for 15 minutes before computer time. That is their reward. Or before gameboy make them draw a comic. Or have a playdate with my son and they can aggravate each other. LOL.
TV camp and computer camp are faves. It makes the house quiet for a little while. The library has programs for kids too.
Good luck!
He builds legos, plays video games, has the neighbor over or vice verse, draws, and plays with his animals. I also make him read, clean up his things left around the house, clean his room, and take a bath. These things pretty much occupy his time.