I (14), feel that i may spend too much time on the internet. it’s definitely not as bad as before, i’ve improved a lot, but i still want to go a bit further and spend at least an hour most days when i actually have the energy to- but the thing is, i’m also home schooled, i DO have friends, but one’s a few blocks away and the others are in about a 30 minute range. i’m sure this wouldn’t be bad if i had a slightly more normal life but i’m not really ALLOWED outside. i have to tell someone if im going out and around every 45 minutes (if i even get that far) someone is coming out to check on me even though i’m surely ALWAYS in the front yard. i’m not allowed to go on walks without an adult (to which they rarely ever wanna), and any time with friends usually has to be planned a couple days in advance, rarely day of. it was even worse before but i’m trying to ease my mom into it so i think maybe in about a year or two i’ll actually be able to walk on my own-
anyways, away from the yap sesh, what are something i can do in my front lawn with a nature-strict mom?
TL;DR: homeschooled, not allowed to have a casual walk outside without an adult, have friends but plans need to be made a couple days before happening- rarely day off because of mom, want things to do outside that will be fun/relaxing without having to really leave the area of my house (no backyard)
thanks! ^-^
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Setting aside that 14 is wayyyyy too old for these kind of restrictions, oh my goodness:
do what you’d do inside outside! Scroll socials, journal, read, draw, color, knit/crochet/sew, play music, think.
If you can, start a garden – herbs are great.
Gardening! It’s a wonderful hobby and it’s so nice seeing your progress in real time! It’s a fantastic way to get outside even if you have little space and can be so rewarding. For example this is my first year growing okra in my garden, I’ve gotten A TON from just 5 little plants and it only took around 2 months from seed to start producing. Now i get to harvest every couple days and make stuff with them from fresh, on demand foods. Also I don’t blame your parents for not letting you go out on your own so don’t hold it against them. I plan to do the same when I have kids and yes though it may torture them at least i know my babies are safe and that i can go pester them on an as needed basis😂 but seriously, gardening is great, and bird watching. They may seem boring at first glance but they’re actually super peaceful when you need something a bit slower in your life!
Photography, yoga, read, write, bounce a tennis ball on a racket, meditate, make a fairy house out of whatever sticks and whatnot you find…
Propagation of succulents / gardening.
So many people wills be willing to gift cuttings for free, and it’s a really rewarding activity and great for your mental health. Even if you’re not a “gardener” this is a fulfilling low to no cost starting activity, and eventually you might have such a collection you can do markets / selling them!
I would also encourage you to look at growing your own food too.
It’s awesome that you recognize being a screenager is bad. I wish you were allowed to roam more. A lot depends on the size of your yard. Gardening, in the ground and in pots and planters, is a great idea. Research plants that are native to your area for decorative plants. Those should be easy to grow. Vegetables probably won’t be native, beans and squash are generally easy plants.
Anything that doesn’t mind a bit of a breeze can be taken outside. Naps are great. Exercise, such as pushups and jumping jacks. You can run a mile just doing a million circles in the yard. Photography is good, get into close up and a small yard will offer more opportunities.
If your parents listen to reason and statistics you could try show them how safe your neighborhood is. You are less than 4 years away from being able to move out and do your own thing. Tell them it’s time ease the restrictions so you can start learning to be an adult. A tracking app on your phone and limits to where you can wander even if it’s just two blocks would be a start.
I’m sorry it’s like this for you. When I was your age, I’m old now, we got on our bikes and went wherever we wanted, through the woods, to the next village, into town, down to the beach.
Have you got a wall, perhaps a side wall or garage, where you can put a basketball hoop? If you start shooting hoops other people interested will wander over to say hi. Yoga and tai’chi spring to mind too.