The boredom is killing them already
| May 28, 2010 | Posted by barb under Family |
The girls began their official summer vacation two days ago and already- they are bored out of their minds. It’s like they think we have to be going somewhere, everyday, at the crack of dawn. They think that because they’re on vacation, everyone else should be too…yeah, I wish.
I told them, just yesterday, that dad and I still have to work during the week- Monday trough Friday and that the only time we’d really be able to get out and do would be on Saturdays and/or Sundays. That hasn’t sat so well with them. Apparently they think that bugging us about being bored and wanting to “do something” will change things for them.
Since this morning, they have fought three times, ate two bowls of cereal and have popped a bag of pop corn. They have refused to listen to me, refused to play nicely…and this has all happened in a matter of three hours. OMG- I’m not looking forward to the rest of this summer. 
How am I going to possibly get through this summer if I can’t keep them happily entertained. Everything that was super fun yesterday is not at all amusing or worth their time today. They don’t want to color. They don’t want to play on the computer and they don’t want to play outside. They keep annoying each other and screaming about having nothing to do. I’m already getting a talking too about how I’m “always on the computer” and how “I never do anything with them”…come on, seriously!?*. It’s only been TWO DAYS!
In a few weeks we plan on driving to my mothers. My husband says that we’ll all drive up there, spend a day at the zoo, walking the river walk or visiting a museum. He and CJ will drive home the following day and the girls and I will stay at mom’s for a week. This will definitely keep them happy since they’ll have six playmates (cousins) to keep them entertained, but what am I to do until then? Help me people, help me!!! I want to go now. The only problem with this- their cousins don’t start their summer vacation until June 4th. That a whole week still- ARGH!!!!
You know; I’m feeling a little antsy myself. For some reason, I feel like I’ve gotta get out and do something…anything really. I’m normally never this way. I love drinking my coffee and working on the computer. Normally I never apply makeup unless we’re leaving the house in an hour or so, but today- nope, today my face is done, my hair looks nice and I’m ready to walk out the door. Maybe I’ll walk, with the kids, to the dollar store or something. I don’t know.
Okay, so what do you do to keep your kids entertained and happy? What do you do to spice up a day when it needs spicing? I’m up for any suggestions because what I’m doing- aint workin’! I’ve got a 7 & 8 year old that are constantly jumping down each other’s throats. They want to play with each other but then argue because one (or the other) is being bossy. Patience is a very “short tempered” girls while Piper is a very devious one. Their personalities collide 100% and it’s very seldom that you see them “getting along” for longer than twenty minutes. Usually it only takes about 5 before they’re pulling each other’s hair. I’ve had a friend tell me before that I need to call The Nanny (hey, I’m not that bad a mom)!
So help me here. What should I do? Is there an activity that you think would keep them happy? What works for you?
This post was written by
barb – who has written 1176 posts on Blogfully.
Barb is wife to a taxidermist and mother to three outrageously rambunctious kids (ages 8, 10 & 18). She's a stay at home mom by choice and a blogger by surprise. She's your typical fun loving, happy-go-lucky gal...but probably the most hyperly enthusiastic one you'll ever meet...She loves to write and has so much fun connecting with everyone!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by blogfully, blogfully. blogfully said: New blog posting, The boredom is killing them already – http://tinyurl.com/39dh5qf [...]
Twitter: jewelknits
May 28, 2010 at 7:43 PM
It sounds as though you have your hands totally full! My 3 girls were all 5 years apart, and my son is 7 years younger than his next older sister, so the age difference eliminated almost all of the sibling bickering! I’m fortunate because I live in a city where there’s always free or next-to-free stuff for the kids to do (well, just the two now, and the 16-year-old is going to Korea and to take summer college classes in design, so her summer is set). Contact the churches in the area; they usually have vacation bible schools or other activities for children scheduled. If you have a city parks department and/or recreation department – contact them about any kind of sports or swimming or crafty things they have scheduled for the summer. Often there are special events that the kids can attend for free or almost-free as well. I am the queen of getting the kids out and about – I have my bebe boy scheduled for a week at Ambassadors of Soccer camp (it’s a day camp, and because it’s through a church, it’s only $20 for the week/$30 for a family) – and vacation bible school ($5 per family) – and swimming lessons (free through the park) – and a weekly ‘field trip’ program through his after-school care center (not free, but he has to have something extra to do). There’s almost always some sort of festival going on (arts fest, food festivals, you name it), so the weekends are taken up as well. If you have a Boys and Girls club nearby, they usually have a day program as well – gets the kids out and about and gives you a break!
.-= Julie @ Knitting and Sundries´s last blog ..The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips (BLOG TOUR and BOOK REVIEW) =-.
Twitter: blogfully
May 29, 2010 at 8:32 PM
Wow Julie-
Thank you so much for the advice, tips and ideas on keeping the kids entertained. I hadn’t thought about any of them. I usually don’t leave the house. I work from home and my husband is always home too so I guess you can say we’re kind of “sheltered” LOL…I’ll definitely look into the boys and girls clubs and also the church up the street from our home and see what they have going on.
Have a wonderful weekend and HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TOO!!
.-= barb´s last blog ..Disney’s StarStruck Extended Edition (Review) =-.
Twitter: foodhistorian
May 29, 2010 at 7:54 AM
Try Vacation bible school- It’s FREE, the girls will be kept busy,do arts & crafts, meet new friends,ect. Also, consider having “theme days” example, 1950′s: Think ponytails, Malt milkshakes ( use Ovaltine), and TV dinners and rent some goofy reruns of “Happy Days” on tape or dvds.
Wild West: “Cowgirl day”, ( Fire up the grill), “Lost” ( Tents and a picnic), Scotland Day ( Tea Party, Scottish music- on DVD, The Blackwatch Bagpipes, shortbread cookies)
Irish day ( Mint green Milkshakes, wear green)
Twitter: blogfully
May 29, 2010 at 11:03 PM
What a fun suggestion Cindy. I think my girls (and I) would get a real kick out of theme days. They’ve got tons of costumes in their trunk. I’ll bring that up and definitely try that. Maybe I’ll set it like a “theme day Wednesday” and every week (on Wed) I’ll let the girls decide what would be fun…oh, this sounds exciting. Thank you!!!
.-= barb´s last blog ..Disney’s StarStruck Extended Edition (Review) =-.
I suggest a slip n slide–they are 5 bucks at Walmart and my daughter has begged to play on it every day since we bought it. Of course, she is younger than your kids, but for $5 it would be worth trying to see if they like it as much as she does!
Also, what about printing some recipes designed for kids off the internet for the girls to make?
Twitter: blogfully
May 29, 2010 at 11:00 PM
Great idea Renee,
I actually went out and bought them a mini swimming pool yesterday for 15.00. I’ve always wanted to buy them a slip n slide (mainly because I never had one as a kid and I love those things), but because we live in a town home and have very limited space in our back patio, we figured the pool would be best. It’s been a big hit so far, but taking much of my attention from work-LOL. It’s been fun watching them. They’ve been so tired since late yesterday afternoon and after playing in it all day agian today…I’m loving my small purchase.
Thanks for the suggestion about the kid friendly recipes. I think I’m going to look for something the girls and I can do together for tomorrows activities. They’re fast asleep after a long and active day in the sun…gotta love those baby pools. They play with their littlest pet shops so they don’t mind it being “small”.
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend Renee…
.-= barb´s last blog ..Disney’s StarStruck Extended Edition (Review) =-.
My daughter was begging me to put up her baby pool today!
Here’s the easiest recipe for cookies I’ve ever tried (as long as no one is allergic to or hates peanut butter in your house!)
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cap-full of vanilla extract
Mix well, bake for 10 minutes or until set in a 350 degree oven. My three year old helps me make these!