do you think its wierd for a 12 year old and a 8 year old to hang out?

Question

they are cuzins and they are bolth boys

Answer 1

With proper supervision, there is nothing wrong with a 12 and 8 playing together. When I was growing up, there were many occasions where both pairing and massing groups of diverse ages played together. A lot had to do with everyone in the neighborhood having large families. Essentially, the "gang" consisted of about 25 kids from 5 to early teens. Older teens sometimes still got into the massings when "hide & seek" was played.

Some of our play activities would end up with boy/girl pairings and nothing was going on - whether the boy was the older or younger. And whether boy girl, boy boy, or girl girl pairings, parents tended to keep an eye on us no matter the age differences.

And of course, there were the occasions to play doctor. Sometimes this was played with two and other times it was a massing game of full blown hospital. On rare occasions, we'd actually get somebody to take off their clothes, but usually somebody would go home (usually in a rush to get back). While passing through the house (bathroom run) a parent would ask what we were playing. We weren't smart enough to know parents knew about playing doctor, so we ratted ourselves out. Suddenly the house we were playing at just sent everyone home.

Now today, the act of playing doctor would probably result in the police being called.

Answer 2

It is not weird, they are family and likely have things in common. However!!! Be mindful that the 12 year old will be getting interested in more mature things much sooner, and the 8 year old may end up with information or activities that are not appropriate for him. I would make sure that both have other friends that they like and do things with. Any totally exclusive relationship may not be healthy. If they are just friends, that is great. Just keep an eye on the 8 year old as the 12 year old matures.

Answer 3

I think it sounds a little strange. When you're 12 and 8, the 4-year age difference is a big deal. Of course later on in life, 4 years won't mean anything (there's nothing strange about a 20-year-old hanging out with a 24-year-old, for example). But the maturity levels of a 12- and 8-year-old are quite different. I think you both should be hanging out with kids your own age for now.

Answer 4

Any age of children can be friends. But I would hope that the 12-year old would be engaging in behaviour appropriate to an 8-year old. And not trying to bring an 8-year old into 12-year old's activities. I remember being 12, and it was vastly different than being 8! But my 11 year old sister enjoys playing with my two year old....so anyone can be friends, just make sure it is appropriate play!

Answer 5

not at all...

wierd for a 32 and a 36 year old to hang out? Still no...

But perhaps find out why they're hanging out...I hung out with people a LOT older than me when I was young...but that was because I was bullied by kids my own age, and I felt "safe" with older kids around. If this is the case then the 8 year old needs to be supported in no longer being a "bully target"

Answer 6

Depends on how you define hang out. Hang out at each others home supervised yes, the 8 year old going to hang out with the 12 year old and his buddies no way!! My son is 8 and there are things he isn't allowed to do at his age now that he will be old enough to do when he is 12. But to be friends, sure why not?

Answer 7

Nah! I don't think it's weird at all. Especially since they're family. The 8 yr old probably idolizes the 12 yr old. It's pretty cool actually that the 12 yr old wants to hang out w/ the 8 yr old and doesn't think he's above an 8 yr old.

Answer 8

Depends on maturity levels of both boys. I know my son is 12, but his best friend is 15. My son is very mature for his age and has always gotten along with older boys. The fact they are cousins is great. Its nice seeing them hang out and enjoy themselves. Just watch the activities they do, but honestly if they are hanging out at the house or playing outside, I don't see the harm.

Answer 9

If they're cuzins and both boys it's fine. I've always had friends that are younger then me ans even now my younger cousin hangs out with me a lot. It's absolutly fine to let them hang out.

Answer 10

If they're cousins and they're both of the same sex then there's no problem at all. It's nice to see family getting along well and it will set them up to be good friends when they're adults.

However, if they're playing exclusively with one another and show no interest in having other friends of their own ages, maybe gentle encouragement for them to mix with their own peers is a good idea. Joining a club (Scouts, sports, whatever) might be a good way to achieve this.