If you ask my oldest what we’ve been doing this Summer, he’ll tell you, nothing. That’s right nothing.

This started a few weeks ago. I was sitting in the dentist’s chair, and I was asked the question, “what are the kids doing this Summer”. I fired back with “nothing, we have no plans”.  She retorted with “no baseball, no soccer, no camp, just nothing” ??? “Yep”, I said, “we are all in need of an unscheduled break…” I got a funny look, but I’m used to that.

My oldest has the grandest of plans, and thus the biggest disappointment when I say that just isn’t possible right now. He is envisioning a summer filled with trips to California, a trip to Comic-con, and a trip to Orlando to visit the new Harry Potter events at Universal Studios. I suggested a trip to North Carolina, he pouted… Dylan, on the other hand is happy with digging around in the backyard, and playing fetch with the pup. Agnes is just happy if the boys are out of the house for a bit so she can watch Care Bears in peace.

The kids have been out of school for about a month now, and as you’ve probably already guessed the “I’m bored” has set in. I’m not giving in though, I’m having them embrace their free time.

It is all in the attitude, you can approach the boredom with fillers, and suggestions. I’ve been stepping back, and seeing just what they can come up with on their own. Having an imagination, is a beautiful thing.

I think it all goes back to my childhood Summers… I was a latch-key kid growing up in the 80’s. We played at home, or at a neighbors house. We visited cousins, or they visited us. We ran around the backyard, drank from the garden hose, got in the mud, and I climbed every single tree that I spotted. I always had a book in hand, and a twin-pop in the other. It was simple, for the most part electronic free, and it really was fun. We also had to come up with our own activities to keep us busy.

We also had responsibilities. I baby-sat at a very young age, to save money so I could buy a bicycle. I had lots of chores at home, laundry, feeding pets, watering the large gardens, and It kept me busy and responsible. I’ve been introducing the kids to being more helpful when the older two utter “I’m bored”. I give them a job to do, they usually accept the job, and once it is completed,  they go play upstairs, or ask to go back outside to play.

I honestly believe that my kids are too scheduled during the school-year. Every day they watch the clock in anticipation of what is next, or what task must be finished next. They scoff if we are running a few minutes late, or dinner was a few minutes early. It drives me batty, so Summer is the time to let go of the clock-watching.

I also believe that Summer-time should be spent relaxing, and embracing the magic of childhood. Enjoying the very moment that you are in, and being happy with just where you are.  Explore the dirt around you, get bit by mosquitos because you were out too late at night, spy on the stars in the sky, and stay up late giggling with your siblings. Make as many happy memories as you can.

So far it has worked pretty well too. They still want to spend way too much money, Thade is still mad that we can’t do everything on his list, but the simple fun is making a return. The boys are playing together better, they include their sister while playing outdoors. Water gun fights. and giggles ring loudly from the backyard. They even set up a little camp-site in their bedroom so all three kids could snuggle up in their pretend sleeping bags, and shine their flashlights at the ceiling. The giggles, and stories were non-stop, they played until they fell asleep.

The boys also grab a book to read without me asking. Dylan and Thade have been telling Agnes stories from pre-school, and helping her learn some new skills too. Summer has been lots of fun, and it is going by quickly, even though we are doing nothing.