It’s July and I’m sure you’ve heard it. I’m bored! Read on for tips for handling it.
Start by listening to our episode on the summer bucket list board. This is a great way to keep your summer on track with fun activities to do together. Listen to it HERE
Every kid has moments of boredom during summer break. I’m a big believer in allowing your kids to be bored. Some of the greatest fun will come from being bored. When I was a kid, we had a creek that ran by our house. It was the best in the summertime. I loved to spend my summer days in the creek hunting for salamanders, snakes and frogs. It was a child’s paradise.
I understand that not every child gets this treasure trove of adventure right out their back door. But there is still a lot of fun that can be had in a ‘boring’ backyard like the one we currently have. My big kids were often struck with boredom when they were younger. My husband and I sent them to the backyard to find something to do. And often they did. They once dug a hole and named it Jake after a friend of theirs. They called it the ‘Lake named Jake.’ The lawn tractor still occasionally falls in the ‘lake.’ It was a sizable hole. Left to their own devices, kids will find something to do.
Making It Happen
I believe that boredom takes time to work. You can’t expect to come up with these amazing schemes quickly. Boredom must set in for a while before inspiration strikes. The best games are born from lazy summer days when the TV is off and the imagination is on.
I’m sure you’ll agree, allowing your kids to be bored is often annoying for the parent. You have to put up with a certain amount of complaining and perhaps employ the threat of extra chores. But be strong, fellow parents! Don’t rescue your kids from themselves with your great ideas of ways to fill their time. Let them wallow in self pity for a bit. Inspiration will strike and when it does, it will be all the better. The next thing you know, you’ll realize no one has bothered with pitiful moaning for an hour. This is where summer happiness resides. You’ll get the time you need to do your things and your kids will build their imaginations with pirate ships, far off lands and fairy princesses. And everyone will be happier for it.
I hope all of our listeners are having a great summer! Make memories with your kids and enjoy this season. It is fleeting.
Need some help with with a few ways to help spark imagination? Check out THIS article
Photo credit to Lauren and her kids. On our trip to their house last week, I saw her kids had created the perfect fairy, ninja, mountain, slide castle thing. It perfectly encapsulates the reason for letting your children be bored. Let your eyes wander over this picture for a moment and really take it in. There is a creative genius or several at work here.
