Couch Potato, Bookworm, Computer Freak - When kids just sit at home

Weaknesses in motor skills, behavioral problems and lack of concentration are often attributed by physicians to insufficient exercise and lack of social contacts. No wonder parents panic when their child is always at home. Reasons why this is so and tips on how parents can change this situation, offers the following article.

"Now go out and play!" With this request many parents try to transport their children outside. What is behind it, if a child does not want to go out into the world, preferring to work alone in their own room? Get to the bottom of this question!

The parents as a role model

If you criticize your child because you spend too much time with your computer or your books, you should take a look at your own life: how much are you actually moving? How often do you go out and move in the fresh air? How often do you use the bike, instead of the car for shopping or the way to work? Often this self-examination shows that you are as much a couch potato as your own child. Children are oriented towards their parents. If you're always running the computer or TV, or you poke your nose into a book or magazine whenever it's possible, it's not surprising that your child behaves the same way - you're his benchmark and role model. It is also no wonder that your child reacts unwillingly and with incomprehension when what you experience on a daily basis is not appropriate and proper for you.

Go outside - active with the child

If you want to get your child out in the fresh air, there is often only one thing to do: you have to come along - and you may soon discover that you can have lots of fun outside and get a good mood.

The sooner children are used to staying in the open air and moving, the more natural it becomes for them. Over time, being outdoors turns into a real need that your child likes to pursue with passion. It is important for you and your child to integrate movement into daily life: which paths can you travel early on foot or later by bike? Which walks are exciting for the child and more than just a walk? Try to turn each walk into a little adventure and most of all - do not rush yourself. Take advantage of the time you spend with the child outside and play games or just talk to each other. So a walk can be an exciting scavenger hunt, a fragrant journey over the weekly market or an adventure in the forest.

Just too lazy or afraid of the world?

Sometimes there are deeper reasons why a child just wants to be at home. Especially when your otherwise active and sociable offspring evolves into a couch potato, you should sit up and gently try to find the cause. Is your child being bullied by other children, or is there any other problem that distracts them with the help of books or computer games? To find out, parents need to be very empathetic. On the one hand, it is important to accept the child's need to retreat, on the other hand, you have to signal that you are there and that you can and want to help your child. The more trusting and loving the relationship between parent and child, the easier it is to find out the cause of the withdrawal in the conversation.

time to relax

Sometimes the apparent couch potatoes are really nonexistent. From time to time, many children need time alone, needing a break from the wild and exciting life, the many impulses and external impressions. For them, the time in the nursery with a book, the model airplane or the computer is just a break, in which they gather strength and recover.

So for parents: Look carefully, if your child really now spends so much time alone in his room and bear in mind, especially with schoolchildren, that they already have a hard day's work behind them when they come home. Teaching, confrontation with classmates and teachers are exhausting - you probably feel the same way after work.

Did I forget something? Can you think of any more points?
I´m looking forward to your experiences and additions.

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