Every mom knows the tone of voice that goes along with that refrain.
It's the summer cry of schoolkids and about as thrilling as fingernails dragging across a blackboard. What to do?
I had a standard reply. "You're bored? Hmm. Why don't you clean the bathroom sink? Or use this broom to sweep the porch and sidewalks. Or maybe you'd rather take the towels out of the dryer and fold them." Etc.
After a day or so of such suggestions nobody complained of being bored.
For incentive, always plan family fun when the work is done.
Creativity shines with enough free time
At our house we went for creativity more than toys and gadgets, so summers became a time when creativity boomed. We always kept raw materials on hand like cardboard boxes of all sizes, assorted papers, crayons, colored pencils, markers, scraps of fabric, Mod Podge, glue, etc.
Trips to craft and discount stores yielded interesting cords and ribbon, pretty gift papers, paints, glitter, wooden boxes and frames, etc.
Was it messy? Sure, but starting by putting down old newspapers or plastic makes cleanup easy.
Why bother, when cell phones and computers can keep kids occupied for hours?
Technology may be everywhere, but human nature--and kid nature--hasn't changed that much.
Creating still brings more satisfaction than consuming an endless stream of "stuff" on screens, some of it questionable.
Besides, people still matter more than things. Don't your favorite family memories feature times you did nothing much and just enjoyed being together?
That takes free time.
Having everybody scheduled for something every minute of every day eats up free time. Nobody has time to "just be."
Too much time watching TV, being on computers and cell phones does the same. That's why setting and enforcing time limits is important. (Yes, this inconveniences Mom and Dad, too.)
Note: This will not earn you the title of "Miss Popularity."
Remember who you are
God gave you these children and you are in charge.
Yes, it's a lot of responsibility, but it's also a privilege. You're helping shape the way these young human beings develop and grow.
Even with genius children, you know better than they what mattters most in the long term.
It sounds radical, but sometimes sports and various "enrichment" activities are not what one or more of your children--or you--needs.
Maybe every family member needs some unprogrammed time to let down. At any age, reading a book or lying under a tree just for the sake of looking up at the sky is not "wasted time."
I promise you the world will not stop.
Being unscheduled is not the same as being bored
Summer offers a defined opportunity to try new things. Later you can decide what comes next. Or doesn't. Think of it as time to refuel and rediscover.
Both your children and you may be surprised to find that in the midst of "nothing happening," a lot of personal growth occurred--and none of you were bored.
For now, go with the rhythm of your days. Be quiet and rest. For right now, just be.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
--Isaiah 30:15 (Living Bible)
Blessings,
Lenore
