'Just lying down'...a lot!

[nunheadmum]

Not me....I wish! But my 5 yr old daughter seems to be spending half her holidays 'just lying down' either in her bed or in various make-shift beds around the house, usually with her thumb in. She seems fine when we are doing things so I don't think she's ill in any way. She seems to be getting increasingly shy. At school she's got a lovely group of friends and all indications are that she's sociable enough there. But even when she's met up with friends during the holidays, it's touch and go as to whether she'll play at times.

I'm putting it down a bit to generally being a bit unsettled about what this whole 'holiday' concept is, just as she was getting used to 'school' and what that meant. And maybe a bit of boredom - I do some things with her each day but I'm trying to avoid filling evey minute of her day as I do kind of subscribe to the theory that kids need a bit of boredom/non-planned activity to learn how to use their own minds.

I just wondered if anyone else has found their kids doing this? I don't know if maybe she's just enjoying letting her mind wander and imagine etc in preference to physically playing? Or is she just getting VERY lazy or socially withdrawn. Hopefully it's just a 5 year old's phase!

[pripolla]

My 4 year old has been doing the same. She's usually very active but now just wants to stay home. Hope it is just a phase? Or is it growing up? :(

[Devonlass15]

Could she just be tired out from starting school and needing to rest a bit during the hols?

My five year old nephew has been shattered since he began school and has really needed some time at home this summer. It's alot for them to take in and get used to. It's all pretty non-stop on a school day!

[nunheadmum]

Yes, I think she was tired after school - and going away on holiday the first week of the hols probably didn't help. I'm hoping that's all it is. She seems to be picking up a bit as the weeks go on - maybe also getting used to not having playing options all around her at school and having to think of things to do herself.

At this rate, she'll probably be back on track just in time to go back to school!!

[CMF2009]

My 4 year old does the same. I too do various activities with her and make play dates but have the same opinion that I can't and won't entertain her 24/7 for the same reasons. Consequently, I often find her just lying around with her thumb in her mouth and stroking our cat. I wouldn't worry about it at all. When my daughter does this, I sometimes ask her if she is ok to which her reply reassures me "I'm just a little bit tired and having a rest mummy"....aarh :-)