Yay!! Let summer vacation begin! Only 1 1/2 days of school left for me. I know that the students in our school are probably way more excited than I am.
Have a Great Summer!
I work as a Secretary in the Junior High/High School in our small town. While I really enjoy the kids, and people I work with, I am really looking forward to summer. (And I know that they are to) The last month the kids have been anticipating summer and excited to be free. I know that parents are excited to have some time with the kids and enjoy things as a family…..for the first week or two. But then the boredom sets in. What can I do?? Parents will hear their children say. Some will resort to the easy way out.. video games, Television and movies. But wait what happened to using your imagination, going outside to play, night games like kick the can, and learning to work and chores. I know now I am sounding old-fashioned.
I know sometimes as parents it is easier just to let the kids do what they want, but are we doing them an injustice? Are we really teaching our children the things they need to know when they get out into the world? I am thinking when we take the easy way out to satisfy their boredom, we are not helping them to grow.
Take this summer to stop and think about this. I know sometimes it is easier to do things by ourselves than it is to make our kids do chores and help us with the things we need help with. I would hope you would take the time to do things that teach responsibility and lifelong skills.
I remember our kids while growing up thought it was the worst thing in the world to have to pull weeds in the garden. They thought we were mean parents. Now I smile as I watch them growing their own gardens and flower beds with their kids. Last September we had the pleasure of having our family get together. It was so much fun to go to the garden and dig potatoes and carrots with our Grand kids, and they really enjoyed it. They were so excited to take home bags full of produce. Even more fun was picking the peas, breaking them open and eating them right there in the garden. Beets, potatoes, and peas were brought in for Grandma to cook for lunch. What a fun experience.
Some of their other favorite things are to go and help Grandma and Grandpa do chores. Now maybe if it was something they had to do everyday it may not be as much fun. But why couldn’t it be? Maybe when you turn work into something that you do as a family and together time, it wouldn’t feel so much like work. Even house chores may not be so bad. Maybe teach them how to cook some easy things and then clean up the mess. I have found when I do these things with my own children and grandchildren, this is the time we have some of our best talks. So not only are you teaching them important life skills, you are also taking time to get enjoy them.
I guess my point is…..teaching your children to work is not a mean thing to do. It is something they will thank you for later in their lives. So maybe combat the boredom, even if you live in the city, by teaching your children to work and hopefully they will enjoy it, especially if it doesn’t feel so much like work. Also if you teach them how to help get the chores done, it will give you all more time to play with them. I promise the time you spend with them now will be appreciated and enjoyed, and the skills you teach them will be used throughout their lives.
Now go and have a great summer break!!
I would love to hear any comments or ideas you would like to share.
I would love to hear from you.