“I’m bored.” “There’s nothing to do.” “What’s for lunch?” “I can’t stand sitting around.” I hear these phrases all too often. My kids seem to think we’re living on a luxury cruise ship and that I’m in charge of the onboard entertainment. Maybe I should print out my job description so we can all go over it together. I’m pretty sure it includes keeping them clothed, fed, and safe, as well as loving, protecting, and educating them. However, I don’t remember signing up for a daily performance of song and dance at 11 a.m. They need to get real.
Don’t get me wrong; my kids aren’t spoiled. They simply crave a more action-packed lifestyle than what I can provide. They love school because there’s always something happening. At home, though, I don’t have a bell ringing every 45 minutes to usher them from one activity to the next. I suppose I could set a timer and change things up more often if that would add some excitement. Heck, I might even throw in a bag of microwave popcorn and a soda to raise the stakes!
I genuinely love my kids. They are my first thought when I wake up and my last prayer at night. I want their childhoods to be filled with magic, wonder, and joyful memories. But honestly, I can’t create memorable experiences every single day. Sometimes, they’ll just have to deal with the ordinary, lazy summer afternoons.
Perhaps my tendency to exaggerate mundane tasks contributes to their confusion. When I say, “I have to go grocery shopping; it’s been two weeks, and this is going to feel like hitting the jackpot,” it sounds more thrilling than just picking up some milk and eggs. If they expect a cash prize like on Supermarket Sweep, they’re going to be sorely disappointed when I remind them we have to bag our own groceries at the store. It’s a classic case of perception versus reality.
Why can’t a simple trip to the store be enough? Why must a fun day include keywords like admission, tickets, and concession stands? If there’s no line to complain about, is it even worth it? Apparently not. If a day is truly going to be worthwhile, it better start with an armband and the words, “Meet back at the statue at noon for lunch.” It’s not fun unless there’s a cool refillable cup for $10.99.
But this summer, things are going to change. My kids need to learn to be more independent. We live in a spacious home filled with adventure; they just need to find it themselves. There are plenty of things to do; they might just have to get creative to uncover them.
Dear kids, here are five activities you can try before coming to me again with your boredom:
- Grab a Toy
Head down to the basement and pick one of the 500 toys you insisted we buy. You know, the stuff I keep threatening to sell because it’s collecting dust? There’s a treasure trove of fun down there if you just use your imagination. - Find a Sibling
We have enough kids in this house to form a small army—why not team up? With four of you, it’s easy to find a buddy. Play a game, watch a movie, or just be nice to each other. - Clean Something
There are dry erase boards all over with chores for you to complete. Why not fill some time and check a few items off the list? It’s much easier when I’m not nagging you to do it. - Make Yourself a Snack
You know how to whip up simple meals. If you’re hungry, head to the pantry and get creative. You don’t need me to make all your meals. Grab a friend and cook together, but remember to clean up afterward! - Watch TV
I’m not enforcing screen time limits this summer. If you’re bored and want to watch TV or play video games, go ahead—but don’t spend all day glued to the screen. Mix it up a bit!
If none of these suggestions work, I have plenty of “fun” activities in mind to combat your boredom. This might just be the summer I finally part with your baby clothes. I bet that emotional roller coaster would be thrilling! Or perhaps you’d like to join me in reorganizing my closet by color, size, and sleeve length? Who’s ready for a game of “empty the china cabinet” or “clean all the goblets”? If that doesn’t excite you, we could always have a 3 p.m. viewing of my high school musical performances.
And just like that, they’ll scatter like roaches when the lights come on…leaving me with the couch all to myself as I relive my glory days in Jesus Christ Superstar. They’ll never know what they missed!
This article was originally published on June 25, 2021. For more insights, check out this other blog post.
Summary
The author humorously reflects on parenting, addressing the constant cries of boredom from their children during summer break. Instead of catering to their demands for entertainment, the author encourages independence and creativity by suggesting activities like playing with toys, finding siblings to play with, completing chores, making snacks, and watching TV. The piece underscores the importance of balancing fun with everyday life and highlights the challenge of maintaining excitement at home.