Western society has engineered ways to keep "adolescents" busy and out of the workforce. In early America teens couldn't count generally count on their parents to subsidize their idleness and carelessness. So, they go on with their (adult) lives--e.g., getting married, going into business, getting diplomatic posts.
Your nine-year old will perhaps be ready for something more substantial by age 14. You seem to be doing a better job with him/her.
Thank you.
We try.
A few years ago, when she was seven, we volunteered to help friends get a house ready to sell. While my girls and I painted the deck, their nephew (nine years old at the time) did nothing but whine that he wasn’t home playing his Xbox.
The parents said nothing. I realized at that point what our job was as parents. Not to make happy kids but rather to make responsible adults.
We went camping with this family during the summer. The kid is now 11 and just as much of a whiner. My girls helped set up and he whined. I’m amazed to this day.