Kids distraction techniques (help)

[QueenBex]

So hands up if you have kids or have kid experience?

I have neither so children are strange and scary to me. My friend has a ten year old who seems to be getting cheeky at school etc. My friend has lots of events on that I like attending eg. She's my DM. Her little boy often comes along. But he can do his homework or colouring in stuff in like half an hour, we are there for about 3-4 hours. So obviously he gets bored.

I think most of the naughty stuff he does is just attention seeking. And although I'm playing or drawing or doing whatever the event requires I still think I should do something for him, I did wonder if I should give him a challenge each time, like a dot to dot or another colouring in or something. But I also don't really know how to talk to him.
I think it's because I'm getting closer to his family and him that i feel like I can try and help out or something so everyone is happy...
Or I'm thinking way too much into this...


My cousin just announced that she's pregnant, so I'm obviously thinking of what I can stitch for her and her baby. Any suggestions?


How do you guys keep your little ones entertained? Especially in public places?

[QueenBex]

OK add two of my old friends just, and I mean literally just now announced they're expecting their first baby!

[Hellfire]

I don't have any children myself, but I have 3 nephews and a niece. My oldest nephew is 10, to keep him entertained I have let him have access to my exceedingly large book collection. He picks a series to read and takes one home, or out, then swaps it when he's finished.
That and when we are out and about I tend to bribe my nephews with chocolate or presents to behave. (I'm the lovely auntie)

When I have the boys round mine, they often complain they are bored, so I made a box full of bits they can do. Foil art, colouring books and pencils, small little crafty bits such as make your own masks. I even got them to try a first cross stitch.

[QueenBex]

The only books of mine I think he'd be interested in would be my Chronicles of Narnia books, but are they ok for a ten year old?

I think Kiddo (this what I shall call him here and what my friends partner calls him), I think Kiddo is on a special diet, I know he's not allowed too much dairy products. They always buy him a kids meal there anyway.

I gave him some colouring books and pencils for Christmas, but I think they stay at home.

I think taking in those books for him to read at the drink and draw might be a good idea, I can help him if he gets stuck easier on those nights. But the D&D sessions... Hmm... Making something would be good... He's a creative lad of a creative family after all.

[Pyper]

I can vouch for Narnia. I would have been reading them by then, and watching the (old) movies too. It wasn't until much later that I even realised the religious overtones, they went completely over my head as a kid.

[Hellfire]

My newphew likes the shapeshifter series by Ali sparkes. Don't think they are too expensive nowadays as they have been out for a good few years. Trying to convince him to read the lion the witch and the wardrobe, but he wants to read other books of mine first.

[QueenBex]

Kiddo has told me he has nearly all of the Horrid Henry books. I remember there's a TV series, but I don't know what the books are like, probably a good indication of his reading level...

[QueenBex]

Thought I'd change the title of the thread to see if we can get some more input :p

[Eliste]

I think you're overthinking this. I have oodles of friends who now have children, and unless I am actively called on to babysit, its not my job or necessarily place to keep their kids entertained. I know we often want to help, but sometimes those kids are told to sit and just do their homework for a reason. I wouldn't rush to bring in distractions without talking to his parents first.

Also, if this kid is attention seeking, then just giving him something to do isn't going to help because he's still not getting attention. Short of you not playing the game to play with him, if attention is what he wants, there's not a whole lot that you can do.

[QueenBex]

I think you're overthinking this. I have oodles of friends who now have children, and unless I am actively called on to babysit, its not my job or necessarily place to keep their kids entertained. I know we often want to help, but sometimes those kids are told to sit and just do their homework for a reason. I wouldn't rush to bring in distractions without talking to his parents first.

Also, if this kid is attention seeking, then just giving him something to do isn't going to help because he's still not getting attention. Short of you not playing the game to play with him, if attention is what he wants, there's not a whole lot that you can do.

You're right Eliste and thank you for telling me straight. I just wanted to help I guess. I am sticking my nose in where it's not wanted or necessarily required. I'll leave off for now then. My apologies for being a bothersome idiot.