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Social life of a 5 year old...(what w...

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2004 Nov. - 2005 Jan.: Parenting Place {ARCHIVES}: Social life of a 5 year old...(what would you do?) users admin

Author Message
Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, July 30, 2004 - 1:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
We recently moved to our new house in a typical suburban neighborhood. Our son recently turned 5.

There is only one other 5 yr. old boy within close proximity (meaning within one or 2 houses)

I have 2 questions:

1. How would you go about finding more kids his age?
Should I post a flyer at the playground-less than a block away. Or put flyers in mailboxes? Or go door to door or what?
(and If I do make up a flyer, what should I say? We were even thinking of hosting a kids party.)

2. The 5 year old who is kiddie-korner from us seems to have an incredibly short attention span. At least when he is here. He will often just get up and start to leave and when we ask him why he is leaving he will say he wants to play with Billy (a 7 yr. old boy who lives across the street and is friends with the kid's brother (who is also 7). He does this a lot. He also has asked Ryan why he comes over so much? Ryan really likes Andrew a lot but i am afraid that Andrew doesn't like Ryan so much and I am afraid Ryan will get his self esteem damaged Advice?.





Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Friday, July 30, 2004 - 4:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Is you son going to be starting school next month? That will solve alot of the social issues. Why not just try striking conversations up with the other moms at the playground, and then go from there?

How long as the other boy been at your house when he decides to leave? What's usually going on when he decides he wants to go? Could be that he's been there too long or maybe using his leaving as a type of power struggle. Does he seem to mind coming over to your house? Maybe he doesn't do well with company at his? Where is his mom and what does she say?

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 12:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks Annie.

Well he was over for quite a while today. The more I watch Andrew, the more I think he is a kid who just needs some alone time. Whereas Ryan wants to be with a friend ALL THE TIME. Andrew just has a short attn. span and kinda marches to his own drummer.

I haven't said anything to his mom as I really don't want to make too huge an issue. At least not yet.

We walked around the neighborhood and met a few more kids and families. Guess we'll just do that.

We might even host an end of the summer kid party and say that parents are welcome... Just not sure if we should post a few signs around (like you would w/ a garage sale) or if we should put flyers on mailboxes or doorknobs... or just knock on doors /word of mouth. Any suggestions?


Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 12:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
oh, oddly enough I haven't seen other boys (or girls) his age at the park. they are mostly older or younger....

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 1:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think an end of summer / kick off for school party would be fun. Word of mouth/phone calls would seem a "safer" way than putting up flyers (never know who might show up! LOL). I do agree w/Texannie, too; when he starts school, things will pick up socially. We live in the "boonies," but my DS now has many friends and spends time w/ them on weekends. It took a couple of years of school, but it did happen. Good luck!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 3:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Too long of playdates can really turn sour. My dd needed someone around all the time at that age, but if they were, fights would surely ensue! LOL I think a 2 hour play date is about the max.
I am not sure about the fliers, do you have a neighborhood pool? I would just continue to walk around the neighborhood.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 5:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yeah, I know school will help matters. EXCEPT. Except since we are thinking about holding him back (speech, some motor skills and maturity issues. Plus he has a relatively late birthday) so we are sending him to kindergarten at a catholic school which is pretty far away--so all the kids will live far away. Then next year (if we decide to hold him back) he'll do kindergarten here (and no other kids will have to know he is repeating kindergarten) or if we don't hold him back, he'll start first grade here. At that point things will be better cuz his school friends will be nearby...



Danas15146
Member

03-31-2004

Monday, August 02, 2004 - 7:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Julie:

Call the school and see if you might be able to get a list of the kids that will be in his class. Maybe have a start of school party type thing. That way all of the kids will semi "know" each other when school starts.

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Monday, August 02, 2004 - 3:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I would call the community board and try and find out about sports clubs i.e. is there a soccer club for little kids. Soccer season should be starting right about now. What about your local library. Don't they have activities in the afternoons for kids?

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, August 02, 2004 - 3:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Good ideas! Thanks! Feel free to add any more if you think of more...

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Monday, August 02, 2004 - 4:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Try the parks and rec department. They often have sports and activities for all age groups that start a different times during the year. Good exercise, good teaching experience and a chance for you to meet other parents of children in your DS' age group with the same interests.

Sewmommy
Member

07-06-2004

Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 4:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I have just moseyed over to this part of the board (from the big brother part :-) )I had to jump in here. I went through this last year when we moved in right before school started. We have moved several times in the last 6 years and the first year is always the toughest.
Do you belong to a local church? Lots of people there. Check out your library, there are usually moms groups posted there. You know, meet the Moms and you will meet the kids. Also check out www.mops.org and see if there is a group that meets near you.
All the other ideas are great. Good luck!

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Saturday, January 01, 2005 - 1:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Didn't know exactly where to comment on this, but last night Jay Leno interviewed a five year old kindergarten girl whom he has had on his show previously. He had a list of questions about the US Constitution and people in government offices. She could quote the amendments and the people! Not only had she memorized it all, but knew when she got mixed up and straightened herself out!

It made me wonder what kind of social life she could possibly have. I sure hope after the grown-ups have utilized her precociousness that they allow her to be a five year old, too.