Dear entitled kids of America,
I have but one simple request for you: stop the complaining.
Now, I know it may not be the kindest thing to say to a child. Perhaps you would prefer to express it in a more gentle manner. “Little Oliver, could you please stop your whining?” “Sweet Grace, please tone down your discontent.” “Little Emma-Jane-Maddox-Taylor, kindly keep your unhappiness to yourself.”
But let’s be honest—it’s complaining, and we all know it.
Summer has arrived, and it should be a joyful season for everyone. There’s no need to wake up at the crack of dawn to toast a Toaster Strudel. You won’t need to wrap yourself in layers of fleece and stuff tissues in your pockets to wipe that runny nose. No more homework, tests, or cafeteria spaghetti that comes with a side of chocolate milk because your mom forgot to pack your lunch.
It’s summertime! So why all the whining?
Feeling bored? Oh, I get it—bored.
You’ve been spoiled with ice cream, plastic toys, and endless rounds of pool games. Isn’t that enough to entertain you for at least a few moments? Why must today’s youth be constantly entertained? Here’s a summary of my own childhood summers: one week in Florida, and nothing for the remaining six.
That’s right—nothing. No camps, no crafts, no clubs. Just nothing. But you know what? I wasn’t bored.
I swam. I rode my bike. I caught bugs and fed them to my younger cousins. I built things out of sticks and grass. I attended a few slumber parties. I watched TV until I dozed off. I drank Slush Puppies like they were going out of style and indulged in squeeze cheese from a can while chatting with friends about boys and the latest movies. That wasn’t boring; that was living!
Summer is supposed to be easy. That’s right—easy. Not hard.
Today’s kids can’t simply enjoy a swim in the pool; they need to summon fourteen friends and spend a fortune on pool noodles. They can’t play baseball in the backyard without needing to fork out hundreds for a fancy camp to learn how to throw a curveball. One slumber party isn’t enough; they must have multiple gatherings each week or face an apocalypse of boredom.
Crafting isn’t just about sticks and dandelions anymore. No, they need extravagant kits from the craft store and hours of help from you, their parents. And the idea of just relaxing and soaking in the summer? Forget it. They need constant stimulation and companionship—siblings just don’t cut it.
Let’s go to the beach for a week, you might think. That’ll keep them entertained. But three days in, and they’re already whining about wanting a $23 dolphin snow globe or a corn dog from a place that only sells shrimp poppers. They complain about the heat, the sand, the length of the car ride, and even the sharks circling their banana boat.
Even with the warm, salty breezes and the beautiful view from your balcony, they still find something to complain about.
Listen up, kids of America! No generation has been as spoiled as you. With your gadgets and gizmos that you can’t even name, please—just stop the complaining! At least until August.
This article was originally published on June 23, 2016.
For more insights, check out this post from our other blog, and if you’re looking for expert information, Cryobaby has everything you need on home insemination kits. For additional resources on pregnancy, visit the CDC.
Summary:
This piece addresses the complaints of today’s children during summer, contrasting it with the simpler, boredom-free summers of the past. It advocates for kids to enjoy their time without the constant need for entertainment and highlights the absurdity of their complaints, encouraging them to appreciate the season instead.