I’ve now had a 7 year old for 4 months so I thought it was time to write the next post in the ‘Things you need to know about…’ series.
If you’ve missed the previous posts I’ve listed things you need to know about 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds and 6-year-olds.
When you have a baby you spend a lot of time thinking ‘this must get easier’. In some ways it does, but really an older child just brings new challenges.
You can do a Google search to find out 7 year old milestones and what your child should be able to do by aged 7, but these lists won’t tell you what it’s actually like to live with a 7 year old.
I’ve just re-read my list about 6-year-olds, and to be honest, a lot of it is the same just a little bit more extreme. Plus, there are a whole host of wonderful new traits to add to them.
So if you have a little child still, here’s what you need to know about 7-year-olds. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
1. They’re sassy
The comebacks Little H has are so quick sometimes that I’d be impressed if they weren’t so cheeky! If I ask her to do something she doesn’t want to like tidy up after herself, or turn off the computer I’ll get a smart-arse answer.
They’re not particularly rude, just a bit sarky and stroppy. I am not looking forward to her being a teenager if she’s like this already!
2. They like things you have no idea about
I’m constantly hearing about YouTubers and Minecraft, and I have no idea what she’s talking about. She mentions bands and singers I’ve never heard of before which makes me feel positively ancient and completely out of touch.
3. They have best friends
Until recently Little H just had a lot of different friends and I was always hearing new names. In the last few months, she has a couple of best friends and won’t do anything unless they’re doing it too.
I think this is quite nice but it does also cause problems when she gets upset because the best friends don’t want to play, or are playing with someone else.
4. They get stressed
Considering they’re still so young it does seem like they have a massive amount to think about when it comes to school work and after-school clubs. Between homework, reading and spellings there’s always school work to do at home so they can never switch off.
We’ve cut down on after-school clubs this term as we were doing too much, Little H was also stressing about swimming and gymnastics assessments as well as school.
5. They’re aware of what’s going on in the world
Before I could have the news on the radio or TV and not worry that Little H would listen to what was going on. Now she picks up on every word and wants to know what it all means.
They watch Newsround at school which is great and age appropriate, but it does cause no end of questions about what’s going on in the world and why. Little H has always been a curious child but the questions are definitely getting harder to side-step now!
6. They’re fiercely independent
7-year-olds want to do everything themselves, from choosing their clothes to making their own breakfast, to insisting they don’t need help with their homework.
It can be great because the more they do, the less you do. But on the other hand, you can’t always trust them to actually get a job done.
7. They still need their mums
No matter how independent they are, 7-year-olds still need their mums. Whether they’re poorly, sad, stressed, or just need help tying their shoelaces they will come running when they need you.
This pleases me because I’m dreading the day she doesn’t need me anymore!
Do you have a 7-year-old? What challenges are you going through with them?
susan
I hope you do a follow up post on just #3. Last year we had lots of friends and this year it has been a struggle. It is hard to not know how to help.