Moms Talk: How Do You Handle A Bored Child?

School is nearly out for the summer.

Kids rejoice! 

What? Parents, you don't feel the same way? 

In our local area, summer is filled with lots of great, family friendly activities, and the weather is awesome (okay, so after this spring, so we hope). You do your best to have to fun and keep the kids busy.

But reality remains. There are chores to do and jobs to attend to. The house doesn't magically clean itself. There are family and social obligations. Summer can be a packed schedule from an adult's perspective. You are crazy busy and can't always serve as social director or play pal to your kids. 

And as for the kids....

"I'm bored!"

Ah, the lament that makes the already overscheduled parent want to cringe.

And no matter what you suggest (like going outside, playing with their toys, getting out a board game with a sibling or friend, reading a book, or the like), it's met with one of these phrases:

"I already did that!"

"That's even more boring!"

"I want to go to (insert activity). I don't wanna do that!"

Aargh!

In my house, when I am met with these phrases, I am inclined to introduce such fun, engaging, and worthwhile actitivies such as "clean your room," "closet clean-out," "help me clean out the garage," and the most popular activity, "let's clean up the dog poop in the yard."

The groans can be heard all the way to Canadian border.

Then of course I bring up the "olden days," when my parents sent us out to play and that was that. You jumped rope, rode your bike and played tag.

Basically, you figured it out.

Naturally, that's met with an eye roll from my kids. 

So, what do you do (besides getting mad and/or losing your mind)?

Know your schedule like the back of your hand. The calendar is your friend and take note of the gaps where complaints could start flying. That's when you pre-plan and get organized. Brainstormrainy day suggestions and have 'em ready. 
Enlist the help of friends, family, or neighbors (do a kid swap, babysitting co-op group).

Suggest a silly yet practical idea like, for example, have the younger set do a scavenger hunt only finding things with the "ch" sound and so on. Get creative!

Then if all else fails,  then what?

Let 'em be bored. Yeah, they'll grumble, but in time, they'll figure it out.

Okay, parents, I'm sure you have some handy dandy ideas and strategies out there. School's nearly done and we wanna know! Comment below.