Are the children registered for lots of summer activities because they (or you) are afraid of being bored and having nothing to do ? Give them pen and paper, crayons or makers, left over poster board, and have them write out a Summer To Do List. Before school lets out is the best time because we all are dreaming of the simpler pleasures of summer. I ask each of my children to make a list of 50 things they can do on their own and that doesn't recquire me to drive them anywhere. I also ask that 10 items include doing something for someone else. Their lists include: sweep the garage, write a letter to Grandma, offer to walk the neighbors dog, water mom's flowers, learn a new game of solitaire, make a crossword puzzle, write a poem, read a book under the tree, etc. We post The List on the refrigerator and refer to it when needed.

When kids participate in a lot of organized and structured activities, it can be difficult for them to be satisified with unstructured time. If children have prepared a list ahead of time, it is much easier for them (and us parents) to be content with quiet time, creative play, or small little tasks to pass the time. Give it a try and let us know how it works out for you. Who knows, maybe next summer their To Do List will be so large, they may not want to sign up for any organized activities!

Posted by Susan at 6/08/2003 05:04:56 PM | Link