I (Wanna) Know What You Did Last Summer
No more teachers, no more books, and lots more excuses not to cook. School’s out and summer’s here. What’s it like at your house: “Hooray” or “Oy, vey” (that’s New York-speak for “Uh, oh”)? Recognizing that there are two sides to the season (yes! no schedules but oh, no: there’s all that time to fill…), WNBC-TV in New York has asked me to chat on air this Tuesday, July 3 in the 5:30 pm segment of "News 4 U" with Perri Peltz about how to keep the kiddies occupied (and their moms from going off the deep end).
We all know the pleasures of summer: no getting up early for school, staying up late stressing over homework, sticking to the schedule, and chauffeuring thespians or ball players to play and team practices. No more running out to Target at 8:50 pm to get the missing vital part of the dinosaur diorama or dealing with tears over the times tables. But the flip side of the season? No school to keep the kids busy and lots of extra schlepping to camps and summer programs, plus the strong probability that someone related to you will whine “But there’s nothing to do” at least once every four hours or before dropping the ice cream cone on the pavement, whichever comes first.
Sure, kids (and parents) need to chill out after the stresses of increasingly ratcheted up academic experiences. Summer should absolutely be a time to relax and scarf up some more S’Mores. But too much unstructured time offers up its own set of challenges: how do you keep the kids occupied but yourself sane?
So help me out here, please:
What are some of your favorite boredom-busting summer strategies?
Comments
Congrats on another tv appearance! Hmmm... I suggest "volunteering" as an activity even tho you still have to schelp a non driver to the location. My daughter volunteered at age 13 at a public school summer literacy program ...when she was 15 she was a junior volunteer/aid at a rehab hospital and wheeled patients to physical therapy. When my kids were really little though I did the typical "join the swim club" shuffle...then we relocated and purchased our own pool..now our home has become the other kids's swim club!
My kids volunteered at "Camp Friendship", which is a camp for kids with cancer. It did wonders for their boredom when they realized how lucky they are. It even inspired them to do other volunteer work.
Everyone loves the sun and sand; but I always make sure to mix in the library and some interesting outings. My family has enjoyed childrens' museums, aquariums, and nature preserves locally, as well as all over the country!
I use this time to try to get into better shape, SO try bike rides, walks to town[with ice cream at the finish line] swimming, rollerblading and then hopefully a good night SLEEP!
We love cruising!! Last summer we took a cruise, beginning in Venice, to the Greek Islands. I can't think of a more boredom busting itinerary, Italy and Greece!
Our Family's Boredom Busting Summer Strategy is as follows: We always plan a major and very disruptive house renovation project during the summer. This way our (almost grown-up) kids are reminded to be grateful for running water (when there is none during a bathroom renovation) or having the convenience of a stove and a refrigerator during a kitchen remodeling job. Our kids have actually become more resourceful now. During our bathroom renovations they used our neighborhood pool and shower facility to wash up in. This summer, during our kitchen renovation, they have learned to buy just enough food for one meal at a time. In other words, they are mastering the art of conservation and not wasting resources.
And what do I personally do to keep from being bored during the summer? I just go to work to get out of the house!
