I need some ideas for summer vacation!

[puzzleman]

My son is almost 11 years old and as he gets older I find fewer things I can do with him. Anyone out there have any ideas?

[Muddy]

How about working on two things at once? - start a useful skill such as computers, model building, fishing, painting, something that can be utilized to begin friendships. Often friendships develop because of a shared interest. :)

[puzzleman]

I have heard about computer use but Luke only likes the games. Other than that I can't get him near the computer. What prorgams have you used? Jumpstart Toddler is getting old. I am working on the boat thing for fishing but Mom doesn't like the idea, may be when she goes on her next vacation Luke and I will give it a shot.

[mlwear]

How old is your son?
Mine is 7 and still if he sees Jumpstart Toddler he gets it out! I can hear the song in my head right now.
My son really likes the Living Books. There are a few different ways they can be used. There is a great deal of educational software available for all ages. Jumpstart is good as is Reader Rabbit. If your son has a favorite character in all likelihood there is educational software featuring it.
Ebay can be a good source for keeping the cost down. Just check the descriptions carefully and be careful of shipping. I've noticed many selling this sort of thing dirt cheap then charging a fortune for shipping and handling. I have gotten several good deals and only one stinker.

[Muddy]

Haven't shelled any money out for anything high priced yet, looking into www.llsys.com . I tried the free games/learning stuff first to see if it would take, not too well I'm afraid. Although he'll go on Microsoft Word, I'll give him a picture card with usually one or two words and he'll type out the word. He can type out any word(gets mixed up with the b and d), enters and knows to put a space between the words. I usually give him a little nerd candy when he finishes a word. I started with just a few words and increased, depending on frustration level. Currently videotaping some stuff on computer to let him get used to the idea. Lots of steps to learn: light touch, moving mouse etc.
Fishing is a great idea, having the summer off gives us a chance to catch up on skills....believe I taught my boy to ride a 2 wheeler when he was 11.
GL :)

[puzzleman]

I got jumpstart toddler and Luke loves it. He is now 11 years old. I also found him a 3 wheeled bike but he feels the need for speed. I have to get him to use the coaster brake. Rumnning behind him witha dog leash is getting old. Thanks for the ideas!

[Dakota Joan]

how about a bike for two - no more running! :)
my husband and I ride one - it can be wonderful!

[mlwear]

how about a bike for two - no more running! :)
my husband and I ride one - it can be wonderful!

DH has been wanting to get a "bike trailer" sort of thing. It is like a bicycle for two, but made for a child to ride in the back. It attaches and detaches from the regular bike.
Here's what he is looking at

http://www.****ssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1842835&cp=713103.991371.1336488&parentPage=family

DH and older son like to ride, but Austin can't keep up, so he ends up taking them on separate rides. Cycling is his thing, not mine. ;)

Sorry, I guess I can't post the link for d-i-c-k- ssporting goods. Fill in the four *'s with the naughty (lol) word.

[puzzleman]

We have a bike trailer but Luke has outgrown it. He is about 150 lbs and about 5 ft tall. We used to take him everywhere on it. The only thing was that he liked to take his socks and shoes off when we were not looking. This forced us to form a search party to look on tree branches and on the ground for his socks and shoes all the way back. The bicycle built for two thing won't work with Luke either because of balance. Thats why we went with the three wheeler, but there is abike manufacturer out there called Freedom Concepts Inc. and I am presently working on getting the money for a special bike for Luke. It actually enables a person to steer and brake from the rear of the bike while 2 people pedal. Or the person up front can be disengaged if he doesn't want to pedal. We have half the money raised already and the bike costs 5,000 dollars.

[Dakota Joan]

we use a tag-along, too and a trailer on our tandem, so it's a bike for 5! lol
My son (w/ atuism) is large too and right now doesn't want anything to do with biking so I'm saving the three wheel bike we have for him.

:idea: I don't know how you feel about help on the $5,000 but you might ask a mens' group. You could send a letter to your local knights of columbus - they have a tootsie roll drive for "retarded" citizens and have to donate that money somewhere. The local group here has even given to the public school for playground equipment for those with special needs.

I saw some other cool bikes while looking around - a bike for 6 and a bike for 4! and a 400 lb bike for two with a canopy! (don't want to pedal that! whew!) it was for sale! no wonder.

Hope ya get your bike soon for your son.



http://www.cafepress.com/3puzzlepieces

[Autismskat]

Hi,
Have you tried swimming? My kids take lessons. Maybe Luke may like painting. I can
relate. The older my kids get, the harder they are to please. We took are boys bike
riding using the two seaters, well that was quite comical. When we got the hang of it
we had fun. Good luck.
Autismskat

[puzzleman]

I got Luke a pool and he loves it when the water stays inside. He loves to splash and slosh around. Sometimes he empties the pool by leaning on the side of the pool. When I am not watching just to get some attention.