What can I do to help my 15 year old son get interested in things?

Question

He has no desire to want to do anything. He's not depressed, I think he's just lazy. I try to get him to do things that he might have fun at, boxing, kick boxing, fishing, hunting, all with him fighting the whole way saying how much he hates it, even before he has tried it! I even encouraged him to write stories because I "forced" him to write one while we were in the car on vacation and it was really good, but he hated doing it. I want him to have outside interests ...healthy productive interests. Please tell me what you think might get him interested in something. I used to love volleyball and when we practiced before and after school, my response was "yes! we GET to practice twice a day"...I want him to be like that about something. Sorry this is so long.

Answer 1

sounds like my son, rather sit and play Warcraft than see life,, kinda like me,, you should have dragged his butt out when he was young,, at 15,, you can only expose him to things, cant hurt to drag him to do things, hopefully someday he will think back and remember,

I dragged my now 18 yo, fishing , camping etc., he had fun but couldnt wait to get back inside the house to his computer,

but I aint around when he talks to his friend, I can only hope he is saying," gee my dad and I saw this or that"

Answer 2

He must do SOMETHING. No one can sit around and do nothing all day. So what you have to do is find out what it is he likes to do, or what he would like to try. You are trying to force him to do things YOU like, rather than encouraging him to do things he likes. And quite naturally, he isn't going to tell you about what he likes as long as he knows (or suspects) that those things aren't worth much in your eyes, because you'd rather have him involved in sports or whatever.
This is your cue to sit down and clear the decks. Tell him you've just realized that you were trying to force him into the wrong mold. Ask him what really interests him, and what he would really like to do. Play it like twenty questions, if you want: 'If you could do anything in the world, what would be your first choice?' And then simply listen. Don't prod, don't argue, just listen. If he doesn't answer, repeat the question, then listen some more.
And stop pushing him to relive your teen years or take up something you think would be fun. If you think kick boxing or whatever is so great, then go do it yourself. But let him find his own way and his own interests.

Answer 3

Well I can't help you much but my 18 year old brother and I both read A Child Called It, and I read the second one. Some of my friends like Twilight, I have The City Of Ember, The People Of Sparks,The Prophit of Yonwood, and I am going to get The Diamond of Darkhood. The last four are The City Of Ember City. You can get all of these books at Barnes and Noble Bookstore. You could take him to Barnes and Noble and have him choose a book. I like all those books above so you can get an idea. I am a girl unfortunatly so this may help or may not.

Answer 4

All children are different, and while I understand that you had a blast in volleyball, sports aren't always the answer and you can't force yoru child to have the same experiences.

Being fifteen is hard, and sometiems it is tough to figure out who you are and what you like. Lots of us go through many different hobbies before we settle on one and some of us never do.

Does he have many friends? Perhaps you can encourage him to participate in the activities that they enjoy. I think you should talk to him and try to figure out something that he likes without prompting. Everything you mentioned is very physical based, perhaps he would enjoy something like acting in a school play or a musical instrument. Perhaps you could encourage an art class or something similar.

Answer 5

Interesting, I just had the same problem with my son, who is now 16. once he turned 16 and got his drivers licence he changed like magic, i think it was maturity. Last year, he didnt watch movies with us, or want anything to do with us, he had straight F's. Honestly!!! this year he started out with A's and now has three B+'s and one C. he watches movies with us and has gone on outings to the park with the younger kids too. My son likes computer games and that is his main love, he is a fantastic artist and does draw pictures too, try something off the wall like auto mechanics, or motorcycles, look up some career things and see if it sparks interest, even taking xrays or something medical, my older son is in teh army and LOVES working with dead bodies. weird, but a great career move as a Medical examiner.

Answer 6

Sit down with him and listen. Find out what his true interests are and find some things to do with them. If he's only interested in say Nascar, have him build a go-kart, for example. If he is only interested in video games, then maybe look for some software or website where he can learn to design his own. Whatever his interests are, and he does have some, find something constructive he can do with them but at the same time enjoy himself. Good luck

Answer 7

You need to talk with him for ideas. Let him know sitting around being a couch potato is not an option. With all there is to do and see people should spend time learning new things daily. Perhaps there are things he is holding in. How well does he mix in groups at school and neighborhood?? Perhaps he is shying away from people because of deep inner anxieties.

Answer 8

Give him a series of tests that will encumber his use of skills.He may not just be lazy,but embarrased about what he really likes.You are bound to run into something he likes.Ask him to tell you anything and everything he is interested in.Sometimes a favorite television show will spark an interest,or collections of different items will give him a small taste.

Answer 9

Gotta be cruel to be kind. If he hears it from his own mother and he aint depressed tell him he is, or will be a loser in life. If he can't compete what has he to enjoy, how does he know success to failure, is he going to be fit enough to compete? The answer is that he won't be able to compete, he won't no success to failure and he won't be fit to compete - he'll be a loser. If you're really passionate about the matter that you turn to the world then you'll ride all the problems going through this may cause, but still, it has to be done.

Answer 10

Sounds like your son lacks motivation which is a form of depression. Go to GNC and get the supplement L-Tyrosine and see if he will take that. Theoretically it will increase the dopamine neutransmitter which will give him more motivation and more energy. You may also be able to get it at other health stores as well.