Mindy Peltier

In the Write Moment

Summer Lists for Kids Who Say, “Mom, I’m BORED!”

parenting

I invented Summer Lists to prevent my kids from yelling, “Mom, I’m bored!”
 
I don’t understand how kids can be bored. With the lack of adult responsibility, they should be brimming with fabulous ideas to fill up their free time.
 
Moms have great snappy little answers when they hear,
“Moooooooooooooooooooom!  I’m boooooooooooooooored.”
 
You know the longer it takes to say your name the higher the escalation.
 
My favorite answer is,
 
“Only boring people get bored.”
 
I want to encourage them to
create,
learn,
read,
conquer,
discover.
 
If my kids don’t want to do something amazing, I’d settle for them just not bothering me while I’m working. ‘Cuz that’s what Moms do.  We work. There isn’t a summer vacation from cooking, cleaning, gardening, and laundry.
 
My copying-my-mother retort is,
 
“If you’re bored, then find something to do.
The toilets always need cleaning.”
 
Cuz, ya’ know, if they are so bored, why shouldn’t they take something off my list for the day?
 
Moms, wouldn’t you love having time to be bored? When was the last time you took a nap?
 
 
But, kids are kids and adults are adults, so they’ll be nap-hating, bored little rascals, and we will be nap-longing, too-busy, worn-out rascals.
 
Moms just need to stay one step ahead of their kids.
 
Years ago,  I started a tradition I call the Summer List.
 
In the spring, each child starts writing down everything they’d possibly want to do during the summer. It can have to do with food, skill learning, traveling, etc. I encourage them to write down a lot of big and small sized dreams. 
 
If they want to go to Egypt, they still write it down.  We can always go through the Internet or library books.
 
 
 
Their lists are placed in our Summer Binder, along with summer reading program information, brochures of places we want to go, and crafts and activities we want to try.
 
 
Good thing I wrote this blog post, because when I was in the musing stage, I searched and finally found the missing Summer Binder.
 
It was lost for one baby, three major moves, three graduations, and three bouts of cancer. Our poor lists didn’t have a home for many summers.
 
 
 
When they think they’re bored, they choose something off their list and make it happen.
 
One of their favorite summer feats is to chew a whole pack of gum at a time. Supervised, of course,  because I’m always worried they’re going to choke or poke their eye out.
 
They also love to sleep on the trampoline. We set up the tent and camp in the backyard. Parks are explored, new candies are purchased, recipes tried, forts made.
 
We might accomplish a goal, and forget to cross it off. Or we might do something fun that wasn’t on the list. The lists are never finished, but that isn’t the goal. 
 

It’s a training tool.

My goal is to teach my kids to learn to fight boredom with a creative activity.

They also learn to set and accomplish goals. (SSH! Don’t tell them it’s really about building character. They think it’s about fun.)

The lists also show hidden desires and aspirations my kids might not have shared with me. It shows their heart in writing. Then I have the wonderful opportunity to help make some of those little dreams come true.

The Summer List is about pure fun and adventure for the kids.

To me, the Summer List keeps me from hearing,

“Mooooooooooooooooooooom!
I’m boooooooooooooooooored!”

Today Jon made a pan of Special K Bars. ‘Cuz it was on his Summer List, ya’ know.

***********
Looking for another cute idea for the rascals?

Make the “Mom I’m Bored Jar ” created by Steph from Somewhat Simple.

She participated in Skip To My Lou’s summer Craft Camp series for kids.
30 days,  30 bloggers, 30 crafts.

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Family Fun has a wonderful website and newsletters delivered to your inbox. They have a great feature called How-To Videos.

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Do you have any ideas or have blogged about something that would keep kids from boredom? Please leave a comment.

We all need ammunition for the wonderful months ahead.

I’d love your friendship as I write through life’s moments.

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Comments

  2. jen says

    Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog!To answer your question my porch furniture is real wicker..but even if its not the real stuff you can still spray paint it..check out the spray paint made just for plastic..I use it all the time & its great! But I have spray painted plastic with regular spray paint..just make sure to prime it really good!And I love the summer list..I believe Im gonna try that!

    Reply

  3. Ruby says

    This is a great idea, Mindy!I have had a rule that they can't say that dreaded phrase without incurring a job! But I do think it starts with us. If we are busy, interested and interesting it rubs off.My boys might take up that packet of gum challenge! Ow…aching jaws!

    Reply

  4. Jill says

    made our lists today! thanks for the reminder. We usually do a family list together, but I like this AND it was fun to see your kiddos!

    Reply

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