Summer Boredom Turned Into “ Good Times ”
By Georgia Smith , MA
Children need to experience a bit of boredom in order to venture out and realize what is enjoyable to them .
When my three children were young , I would think about the upcoming summer and what activities we could do to prevent them from being bored .
The truth is , summer boredom is not all bad ! Psychologically , if a child is not bored and always given activities , they may never know their likes and dislikes . Children need to experience a bit of boredom in order to venture out and realize what is enjoyable to them . Being entertained all summer could be wasting their creativity and exploration . Entertaining them constantly will also cause parents to burn out before the summer is over . Parents or caregivers should provide options for children to choose from . It is also healthy for children to have balance in their activities where they are not constant “ fun ” consumers , but are also building responsibility in doing chores , with rewards , and volunteering to help others .
Summer is an opportunity to reconnect with your loved ones through “ family night .” This night can be playing games , eating out , movies , park activities , bike rides , or walks together . View summer as a perfect opportunity to reconnect and grow together , making memories of a lifetime . Family vacations always give place to new and enjoyable fun as well as enjoying home activities .
44 DALLAS COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY / AUGUST 2016
Balance between giving back to others through volunteer work , family time together , individual activities , part-time work for adolescents , and quiet moments can turn summer boredom into “ good times .” Here are some ideas :