Summer brings a sense of freedom, lazy days by the pool, and a break from rigid schedules. After the chaotic end-of-year rush, this sounds like a dream, right? But just a week into summer, parents everywhere realize that wishing for the school year to end was a grave mistake. Three weeks in, I’m scouring the internet for summer camps with open slots for three kids.
Summer quickly turns into a whirlwind of complaints, arguments over imaginary games, and way too much screen time. And then come the most dreaded words from our kids: “Mom, I’m bored!” (said at least 85 times a day).
Excuse me while I chuckle. Last time I checked, kiddos, you have a room overflowing with toys, countless books waiting to be read, a trampoline, a lovely fenced yard, plus bikes, scooters, and fidget spinners. If you’re bored, it’s time for a reality check.
So, don’t come crying to me about boredom, or I will find you something to do that you won’t forget anytime soon. And if you dare to complain about boredom during a brief car ride, let me remind you of my road trip in 1985, when we didn’t even have screens to keep us occupied for hours on end.
Dear children, you wouldn’t recognize boredom if it slapped you in the face. This mom is not your personal entertainment director. My job isn’t to dedicate every moment to keeping you entertained while I juggle dinner, bills, and chores. I already have a thankless job, so I certainly don’t need to be responsible for your entertainment every second of the day. We all know you’ll probably whine about any fun outing I plan anyway.
I do a lot for you, from washing your dirty clothes to taking you to the library and driving you to your friends’ homes. But sometimes, this mom needs to tackle her to-do list. While I enjoy taking you to the park, zoo, or other fun places, I also have essential tasks like grocery shopping and laundry.
So when you say, “I’m bored,” get ready for the consequences. You might just find yourself cleaning baseboards or scrubbing toilets if you’re not careful. At the very least, your boredom will involve some level of child labor because this house is not a kid spa retreat where you lounge around doing nothing, then tell me you’re bored when the tablet dies.
If you’re truly bored, why not pick up the shoes and towels scattered across the house? Or grab the vacuum and clean up the trail of snacks from the back door to the front?
Feeling really bored? Write a letter to your grandparents who spoil you, or sort through your endless toys to donate to kids who would never dare utter the words “I’m bored” to their worn-out summer mom.
If boredom persists, I’ll teach you how to pull your underwear out of your pants before tossing them on the floor next to the hamper. I can also show you how to wipe down the sticky shelves in the refrigerator.
Still bored? How about tackling the tasks I rarely get to? Dusting, organizing the spice cabinet, or tossing out expired food from the fridge could be on your list. Remember, I’m busy taking you to libraries, swimming, and museums all week long.
I’m happy to create fun memories, and we’ll have plenty of exciting adventures this summer. But it’s a two-way street. You must accept that some days will be spent at home while I catch up on chores or simply enjoy the air conditioning—and you’ll benefit from it.
On other days, I’ll gladly assist you in setting up a lemonade stand or building a fantastic fort. Understand, my dear children, that boredom is a gift from me to you. While you might view it as a burden, I can always find tasks for you to do. Boredom teaches you to tap into your imagination, read more, and appreciate the privileges you have that allow you the luxury of boredom.
So please, eliminate “I’m bored” from your vocabulary. Remember that being bored is one of the best gifts I can offer, as it means you’re escaping the chores I could assign you.
For that, you should be grateful. And if you’re not, here’s a mop. Let’s start learning how to use it!
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Summary:
This article humorously addresses the common complaint of boredom from children during summer vacation, emphasizing the importance of self-entertainment and responsibility. The author encourages kids to find joy in boredom as an opportunity for creativity and learning, while also highlighting the need for parents to manage their own tasks and expectations.