Summer Boredom Has Already Hit!

I thought for sure this summer was going to be different.  This was going to be the summer that my real estate career thrived rather than dipped because the kids are old enough to stay home alone while I run out to show a house or some other appointment.  I also had big plans for keeping the kids on track with education by participating in scheduled and short assignments each day.  Boy did I over estimate…

Instead of having two people home with me all day to take care of I have three.  With Hubby off work all summer it doesn’t feel like summer at all.  It is just harder work.  No fault of his, really.  It’s just a biproduct of my working two jobs from home and not having a minute of quiet time.  Such is life.  I suppose if I didn’t have a Hubby or two darling demons I’d have all the time in the world to sell houses, write articles, and clean house.  Now what fun would that be?  (Don’t think on that too long… you might change your answer a few times!)
The thing that is driving me most nuts is that I am the only one who has a schedule or anything to accomplish.  And while I am in high gear those around me are whining, “I’m bored to death over here!” 

After stumbling upon the following article I realized though, that it isn’t their boredom that is driving me nuts.  Their boredom is common, the norm, to be expected.  I remember it plainly myself being an only child on a rural road with no neighbors and nothing to do.  What is actually frustrating me is my lack of appropriate response to the situation so we can all move on happily with our day.  It would be fabulous if I could play with my kids and keep them stimulated all day long but I am a working mom and have to do my best to stick to my office hours.  These ideas from Dr. Susan Linn really struck me so I’ll share them with you. 

I am told that it is rude to copy content or cut and paste a complete article so I’ll just give you the intro here and you can click the link to see the actual tips. 

“I’m soooo bored,” sighs eight-year-old Jason as he sits down to lunch. “There’s nothing to do.”

For many children, summer means long lazy days that are a sharp contrast to the scheduled school year. In theory, parents and children alike look forward to a break from the pressure of homework and after-school activities. But in practice, a sudden wealth of downtime can add friction to families.

Here are ten replies to “I’m bored!” that will help your kids develop the internal resources that are important for a creative, satisfying life.” continue here.

Got any boredom busters of your own?  Share!