Author Topic: Moved to paradise- but our kid doesn't think so!  (Read 3466 times)

bombay_to_goa

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Moved to paradise- but our kid doesn't think so!
« on: February 20, 2017, 11:01:18 PM »
Hi,
We're semi- FIRE'd now. We've moved from our tiny apartment in a megacity to a house in a village by the sea. In the past, our evening routine was to take our 3 year old to the park next door, where he would happily play in the mud, ride his balance bike and occasionally play with a few of the kids in the park (usually all older than him), while I sat on a bench with a book, or talked to other parents.
We thought our new place with a garden would be perfect for him-with the wide open spaces, dog, cat, spiders, butterflies etc. Instead, he's always running off into the neighbours' house (we share the garden with them) to watch tv, eat candy and every half an hour there's tantrums and screaming when they tease him. The youngest kid there is 8, so I imagine they're tired of having him underfoot.
We got him a football, badminton racquet and attempt to play with him, but he doesn't want to play with us, runs off into their house. 

The husband picks him up from school and the mums there don't talk to him, so he hasn't had playdates from school friends yet. Also, our lil chap is rather loud and grabby, so he's probably made friends in school but the other parents seem to be a little wary. And in the neighbourhood, all the kids I've met are much older. There aren't any kiddie parks - I'm not sure what kids his age do in the evenings here.

I've started taking him to a pool twice a week and we go to the beach often. I've also found out about football (soccer!) and other classes for him, but in the past he really hasn't enjoyed organised activities. He's very social and I suspect he wants the company of other little people- just no idea how to provide it to him.

Any suggestions?

Sydneystache

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Re: Moved to paradise- but our kid doesn't think so!
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2017, 02:06:41 AM »
Don't be too concerned that he isn't making any 'real' friends yet. It took mine until 7 or 8 before he had constant friends and I felt I forced a lot of other kids' company on him.

Is there a mother's group that your doctor/paeditrician can recommend? If he loves the beach, is there an area around the beach eg at sunset where kids like him congregate? Any ex-pat or ex-Mumbai communities in the area? At 3 he might be too young to start cricket (here they usually start them at 5) but don't worry too much.

He'll find friends suited to his temperament one day and you'll be wanting to get rid of them!

bombay_to_goa

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Re: Moved to paradise- but our kid doesn't think so!
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2017, 03:46:20 AM »
Thanks Sydney stache!

Kids tend to play footie on the beach which he isn't interested in. (Goa= football, Mumbai= cricket and I don't want to talk about today's Test Match!)
I did take his bike along yesterday and he was happy to cycle on the hard sand. Am also going to take the initiative to invite kids in his class for a birthday party, will get to meet a few parents and get a better idea of who he likes to play with and vice versa.

And overall, will stop worrying about his social life.

marty998

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Re: Moved to paradise- but our kid doesn't think so!
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2017, 01:56:13 PM »
Kids tend to play footie on the beach which he isn't interested in. (Goa= football, Mumbai= cricket and I don't want to talk about today's Test Match!)

That's a shame, I do want to talk about the test match.Steve Smith scoring more than India combined, SOK taking 12! All over inside 3 days wow.

Linea_Norway

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Re: Moved to paradise- but our kid doesn't think so!
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2017, 02:01:40 PM »
Isn't there any sports club with children of his age?
If I were you, I would talk to the neighbour and hear with them what they think if your son visiting. You says that you think he bothers them, but you can't be sure unless you ask.

bombay_to_goa

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Re: Moved to paradise- but our kid doesn't think so!
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2017, 10:05:10 PM »
That's a shame, I do want to talk about the test match.Steve Smith scoring more than India combined, SOK taking 12! All over inside 3 days wow.
I'm from Pune, where the match was held, so that makes it somehow worse!

Linda: Starting him at 3-times a week football today, let's see how he likes it.
We spoke to the neighbours (also our landlord) when we moved in and we repeatedly ask if he's bothering them or disturbing their daughter. But this is India- nobody who knows you is going to tell you that your cute but mischievous 3 year old is a pest.