Giving my son experiences
By Sissy15
@sissy15 (12285)
United States
July 12, 2024 3:21am CST
Lately, we have been trying to give experiences to our son. I've tried to talk to him and ask him what he really wants to do and he never has any answers for me. He's a super laidback kid who is very go with the flow and is just happy with whatever. He has been into Japan lately and wants to learn more about the country. I asked him what he liked about Japan and he couldn't specify anything just that he likes it. I have to guess it has something to do with his Pokémon obsession. He has loved Pokémon since he was five and has collected cards and all things Pikachu ever since. I can't afford a trip to Japan so I've been looking at things in Ohio that might have a Japanese experience for him and I may have found somewhere in Columbus that has Japanese restaurants and shopping. It's a far cry from Japan but I still think he'll enjoy it.
We've done a lot with him this past year. We aren't big with spending a bunch of money because we aren't rich and we have bills to pay but we have found things for free or cheap. We live within our means and right now that means day trips. Most of our trips start with a trip to Burger King for breakfast and we'll get lunch or dinner somewhere while we are out. I asked him what his favorite thing we did was and he loved our trips to Hocking Hills. He loves nature and hiking. My dad bought him binoculars so he could birdwatch. Ohio has so many beautiful nature preserves and hiking trails as does Michigan which we aren't far from.
This past year we have gone to Sandusky Ohio to the Merry Go Round Museum, The Rutheford B. Hayes home and museum, Dayton Airforce Museum, Hocking Hills, Athens Ohio, Tony Packo's in Toledo, Spangler Candy World in Bryan Ohio, Marblehead Lighthouse, Cleveland where we checked out the Garfield Mausoleum among some other things, Fort Meigs in Perrysburg Ohio, we went to an event not far from us where they had a reenactment and my son loved watching them set off a cannon (a few years ago he would have flipped over the noise from the cannon) and was really into learning local history, we went to Vermillion Ohio and ate dinner, we took him over to the border to Indiana and to Michigan, we saw the new Ghostbusters movie in theater (we hadn't been to a movie theater since before COVID), We have just done all of these amazing small mostly inexpensive things with him and he's been so into learning things and being out in nature. He's such an amazing kid and we love being able to spend time with him and get to know him better now that he's older.
When we ask him what he wants for Christmas he always gives me the smallest list with maybe five or six items on it. He's such an easy to please kid and rarely asks for anything. He is grateful for everything and thanks us every time we make him or buy him dinner. We took him to a pizza buffet on Wednesday (we were excited to do this now that he likes pizza) and he was so thankful and smiley. We took a drive out in the country and he was so quiet and just taking everything in. We later took him out for ice cream and he once again was happy and acted like it was the best thing ever. I just want to do something he really wants to do so I've been thinking about his interests and trying to get ideas. He once told me that I know him super well and he is never disappointed with anything I do for him or get for him. I still wish he could think of something sometimes and make it easier. I am looking at this anime restaurant in Dayton to take him to. He has been wanting to try a Korean corndog and this place has them along with an anime theme which fits in with Pokémon and Japan and they also have specialty pizzas.
I've had family members tell me that he's spoiled but you wouldn't know it because he's so sweet and appreciative. My son definitely has a lot of stuff (not that he asks for it) but he definitely has less than some kids. I always tell him you have a roof over your head and food in your belly and that's what matters most and you're rich in that you have a family that loves you and everything else is a bonus. He has a lot but he doesn't always get the latest and greatest. He's so appreciative and grateful for everything and doesn't ask for much and I just wish he had somewhere he really wanted to go that I could take him. I know he'd love to see a concert at some point but I'm not sure he could handle it because while he has come a long way as far as noise goes he still is sound sensitive just not as sound sensitive. I also can't afford tickets to some of the bands he wants to see and no one plays near me.
I joined an FB group called Ohio Road trips to get some ideas of things to do with him and I've been getting some ideas it's where I heard about the anime restaurant. I have posted some of our trips and have been getting ideas for places to check out.
1 person likes this
1 response
@arunima25 (87128)
• Bangalore, India
12 Jul
You are doing a good job as a parent. You are giving the best to your child in your capacity. Giving experiences is the best things for them to learn and explore about the world and about themselves. I assume that he is grown up enough to be independent in Japan. He sounds like a very sweet child. God bless him![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
1 person likes this
@sissy15 (12285)
• United States
12 Jul
Thank you, I can't afford to send him to Japan and if I could he's not old enough to go alone. He's 13. He's old enough to show some independence but not old enough for me to feel comfortable with him going to certain places alone. He just wants to learn more about it.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (87128)
• Bangalore, India
12 Jul
@sissy15 Oh! I see. Sorry I misread into Japan as he is in Japan
. Sorry about the misunderstanding. I read it again to get the clarification. He is a curious child and you are doing good as a parent.
![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
@sissy15 (12285)
• United States
12 Jul
@arunima25 lol it's all good. I've definitely done that myself. thanks, I try.
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
![](/Content/images/loading.gif)