I live in California, but in the desert. Not hot like Arizona - but it ranges anywhere from 100-110. I don't remember if it gets to Arizona levels, but it doesn't matter. Even if the weather were 73 degrees, my kids still wouldn't go outdoors.
I have three little demons. Two boys, 8 and 13 (the oldest was JUST diagnosed with Autism despite so many signs, my pleading, and going to therapists, but that's a rant for another day), and a 5-year-old girl.
The parks here are too crowded, and I have anxiety, so I don't take them. We also have too many transients, and there's nothing wrong with them - I just don't feel comfortable with their behaviors. Many remove their clothing, do drugs (one is always at the park with a machete), etc., at the playgrounds that aren't crowded. We have an inground pool, so my kids swim for at least two hours daily. Sometimes longer if they are just feeling like it. We taught our 5-year-old to swim at around 3 or 4, and she's like a fish. They swim laps with our two dogs, who are also suffering from a lack of long daily walks. I prefer they swim in the evenings because I don't like swimming, but lately, I begrudgingly get in the pool with them during the day.
I admit to allowing them to be on their screens for most of the day. So long as they do their chores, eat, shower, and do some physical activity for two hours (swimming), they all sit on their computers. My boys have our old computers, so they spend a lot of time playing Roblox or whatever new simulator game they are into. My daughter has a tablet. I also enjoy being on a computer (not that I can most of the time). I am the sole parent at home most of the day, so I enjoy some peace while cleaning the house and doing other chores. My kids read well, are very social (my Autistic teen has made improvements), do what they need, and whatever else - so their being on screens isn't killing them. They can't play together because my ASD teen still has the social skills of a 5-year-old, so someone always ends up crying/hurt. They play Roblox together, though.
We play Minecraft together. We all have a Minecraft account, even their dad. We all have a Roblox account, even their dad, so we can play together. We watch movies together when something comes out. My kids prefer to do their own thing, and I am cool with that. My daughter prefers to do things with her father and me, such as playing basketball in the backyard, using the gym equipment we gathered during Covid lockdowns, coloring/drawing together, watching her weird YouTube videos, playing Roblox, and listening to her rage and call people "newbs" only to learn that she's picked up on all of our curse words, and playing with her toys. She likes to do chores with me.
I admire parents that put together a routine of fun for their kids. I don't have the patience to bake with my kids, though I enjoy baking and cooking. My boys don't want to do those things. Game night makes at least two out of three children cry every freakin' time. Lately, my daughter has been wanting to help me cook/bake, so I have been able to do those things with her. She's just... as patient as I am, so we are both learning how to do this together! Lol. If that makes sense.
My kids are developmentally different ages and stages, so it's hard to find common interests outside Minecraft/Roblox. We don't do much together anymore. Not since my oldest turned into a teenager. Lol. Luckily, we have been training him to stay alone, so if the two others want to go to a playground, he can stay at home.
