What after school/weekend social activities do your DC do?

[BornToFolk]

I'm a lone parent to one DS who is 6.5 and I worry that he's not getting enough social interaction.
He's in Yr 1 and the teacher says he's happy and popular. He has a best friend at school and also plays with lots of other children.
Outside school, he goes to an after school club (childcare kind of thing) twice a week and really enjoys it. He also has swimming lessons and plays football at the weekend. He's made friends at football and seems to really enjoy the social side of it.
However, I'm concerned it's not enough. We do see friends at the weekends sometimes but I find it hard to meet up with people a lot, especially now I'm single - everyone always seems to be busy doing "family". We see a lot of (adult) family at the weekend.


Just wondering if I should be doing more? He's fine socially and seems happy - I just get guilty and worried about him being an only and missing out on close relationships with siblings. So, what's "normal" for only children? Do you feel like you have to organise more for them? Does it get easier when they get older and can hang out with friends more? Am I just stressing about nothing?!

[tealady]

He sounds fine and he is getting plenty of social interaction at school. They need a bit of downtime too. Also remember not all siblings get on well! And there are advantage of lone parent no sibling as he has your undivided attention. Dont be so hard on yourself - you are obviously a very caring Mum.

[BornToFolk]

Thanks tealady! I feel better about it this morning as he was talking about playing games at breakfast club and it made me realise that he is so good at making friends with all kinds of people, wherever he goes. You're right about the downtime too. We had a lot of mooching about the house at the weekend, which was fine mostly but he does tend to get a bit bored and it's times like those that I feel guilty. But I guess if he did have siblings they'd be fighting! And getting a bit bored sometimes is no bad thing either.

[iseenodust]

At 6.5 that sounds like plenty of organised fun and he's happy! DS is now 9 and very keen on sport. The thing that has always been his favourite (and rated highly by me) is tennis. He goes to a local club for group lessons and holiday courses and it is very social. We live in a small village with few facilities/other children so do make an effort to get him out and about.

[UniS]

DS is now 8. He likes sport, after school he has sports activity on 2 or 3 days and at least one weekend day. Also joined cubs and we are active in our village social scene. He and his best mate like to get together to play at the weekend. Tho this doesn't happen every week as both families has commitments to other stuff.

[ThinkingJanuary]

My DS does scouts and martial arts after school.
Actual school clubs vary term to term - he is hoping for hocky and chess next term.

[hels71]

My DD is 6 nearly 7. She goes to after school club twice a week (childcare type thing) and does Rainbows, tap/jazz and ballet.

[frames]

Hi there...I am a sp to one dd. Weekends and holidays can be really long, there isn't ever enough to keep us occupied. We live near a beach, we go to the library, free museums in the winter. We swim, go on days out. She does brownies, but thinking of swooping to St johns...sometimes she has friends come out with us, or come round, but I find I need to be careful as rarely does a return invite appear. Its got better as she has got older as she is happy just walking up the high street, looking in charity shops, going to the bakers. Also options for holiday clubs get better and cheaper past 8 years, lots on at leisure centres, and in local universities childcare wise.

[JadeJ123]

Horse riding- Thursdays after school swimming- Saturdays
Friday- dance class
Monday- she has a tutor