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[Hylas]

No no, don't even think for a moment I'm talking about my own kids!

Ok, my other thread about summer made me remember my little cousin, a real brat, will come to stay with us soon for three or four days. I know, it sounds very exciting

What I want from you is a suggestion. I'm not good with children, what should I do to keep him busy during the day? I can't keep him home all day, so where should I bring him? What is that children like to do apart from shouting and breaking things? Which movies or cartoons should I rent to watch?

I'm alone. My brother decided he'll be staying at his friend's place when the little brat arrives. I feel so deceived

[merylsilverburg]

I'm truly sorry Hylas. I know it's really irritating to hang out with bratty kids...but at least it's only 3 or 4 days and not the whole summer (although it can feel like an eternity).

I hate kids myself so I don't think I'll be very helpful. Determining how to spend time with these nightmares really depends on age and personality though. How old is he? Maybe you two can play video games for a while, at least that'll waste some of the day away. Or you can take him to the park or zoo...

Ugh, I know I'm really unhelpful right now but I'll try to think of more later. Sorry.

[trunks69420]

how old is the kid and what kindof things is he interested in?? and what kindof transportation do you have and $$ to spend. theres tons of things to do... but the most fun and easiest is if he's really young... give him whiskey... he'll be asleep... then PARTAY!!!

no but seriously.. answer the first few questions and consider the whiskey and i'll get back to you

[Hylas]

My cousin is 7 years old, and I don't know exactly what he likes most, I'm not very often forced to be in his company. I think he's a pretty average kid, he likes games, sports, maybe, but I'm not sure, animals, and causing trouble

I think letting him play videogames could be ok, not for me, since he's a catastrophe and breaks things he touches very easily, but for him. Anyway, I cannot park him on the sofa for 4 days to play videogames. That's pretty obvious... and it's not that realizing it makes me particularly happy

Thanks for the support meryl, I know what you mean when you say you don't like kids. Some of them are ok, but the others are just annoying attention seekers who don't give a damn about anything else other than themselves and having fun.

[merylsilverburg]

Seven year olds are a bit tougher to manage because they're old enough to slightly think on their own but still young enough to need taking care of.

Well...is there an amusement park-like area you have access to? At least it's in public, he won't be able to break too many things (hopefully), and hopefully he'll have a good time on the rides or something.

Or how about the movies? If there's a current film he wants to go see maybe you can take him to see it...at least that'll waste a bit of one day away.

Or, if you can try playing some sports with him if you guys have a backyard...

As for movies to watch at home, you can take him to the rental store and let him pick out stuff he wants to see...just watch out because if he's mischievous, he might take advantage of the situation (you not being his parents and all) and choose inappropriate things; his parents could end up blaming you for not keeping an eye on him and letting him watch such unsuitable stuff.

I'm really sorry Hylas, I don't have much good suggestions. What my sister and I were expected to do when our cousin's 3 kids came over one year was to simply take them out and let them buy whatever they want...because, you know, the Taiwanese only know how to spoil their kids (and that's the truth).

[Meiko]

Take him to the movies. I'm sure there must be some movie he hasn't seen and would like to. If he likes sports, the swimming pool could be a good idea. You could take him to a local park, let him ride a bike there, or have some other activity in the open air. I don't know if where you live there is a zoo or like merylsilverburg suggested, some amusement park. Treat him some ice cream or milkshake or anything he likes. Kids love when you buy them stuff! I recommend you to take him outside the house for the longest time. This way he won't break anything or make a mess in your room or with your stuff, and he will be more tired when you come back, so you can have him spend the rest of the day in a quiet way.

[Hylas]

I thank you for your efforts, I know it's not easy

There aren't amusement parks here, not close anyway, so I don't think I will take my cousin there. I don't want to spend a whole day in a train or car or bus to take him somewhere so far from home, not when I'm alone with him

The swimming pool could be ok. I'm not sure he can swim, I must ask, but I think he does. Also, he likes bikes, but I don't know if I still have a bike right for his age at home. Maybe some of my brother's older bikes are still somewehre.

The movies are also good. I think he said he wanted to see the Transformers so I will take him. Maybe I will take him to see Harry Potter too, it's the easiest thing to do to spend some time without having to watch him all the time.

[trunks69420]

all i can recomend really is a lot of outdoor activities... at 7 years old you get him tired enough and he'll want to nap more and that means quality time for you. i def think the new HP would be awesome too just keep in mind that it is darker than the prior ones... maybe doing a marathon of the others first to gauge his reactions...
other than that.. the zoo... the mall... toy stores with a leash ... idk. i'de stick with the cheap and easy out door method and get him tired so he sleeps more. but movies games and outdoor activities are a sure fired way to keep him busy.

[Beretta55]

Ah children, I personally like them myself although the bratty ones are a pain in the ass. Everyone has already made good suggestions but if you take him to see the new Harry Potter movie, rent the others first before going to see it and that at the very least will take a day or two because of their length. Transformers is also another good idea, maybe buy a super cheap game at a store so that if he possibly breaks it, it won't really be much of a loss. Maybe take him to the park and get some ice cream just do everything you can to make no lag in time so that he doesn't have the chance to fart around and mess something up.

If all else fails, put him in a box and ship him to the other side of the world.



Good luck though, I guess I'm fortunate to have never dealt with kids in my family who were complete brats. I sure do have some brats in my family that are well into their adulthood, so I've always been more partial and friendly to kids.