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agressive kid

Posted by: amr ahmed abdallah on January 25, 2008 at 9:00AM EST

I have 3 kids 12,10,and 31/2 years old. My eldest son is educationally gifted and very smart, but also computer addict. The only way to keep our house calm is to keep him occupied with the labtop or gameboy. we are living now in saudi arabia and there is no much options to involve him like practicing sport . I need an advice, please help me.

(1) Answers

Posted by: sj on January 25, 2008 1:07PM EST

Hi--
I have 2 perspectives on your issue. I have a 14 year old son who is quite bright also and loves computer, videos etc. I let him engage in those activities more than I want, but I balance it with making sure that he is social, and involved in other things. We are in the states, and he is involved in church, and is playing football at school.
I lived in Iran when I was in high school, and my father lived in Riyadh in the 1990's. I went to an American school in Iran, and there were plenty of activities associated with the school that helped keep us busy. From talking to my father, Saudi has a much more closed society than we lived in when I was overseas. Most of the older kids had to go off to boarding school.
That being said, look really hard for opportunities for your child to be involved in things. Even volunteer opportunities. And since he is a boy-- the more you can do with him as a father, the better. If he is disrupting your household if he can't play his video games, etc, it may take some strong parenting to get him on track. Talking with a counselor could give you some ideas. Smart kids need parents that aren't afraid, or too busy to parent. It may be trying now, but if you don't address it, he will be 16 before you know it, and you have less control. Let us know how it goes. Paying attention and listening is half the battle!