Ah, summer—the time for lounging, splashing in the pool, and tossing out rigid schedules. It all sounds divine when we’re wrapped in the madness of the school year. But give it a week into summer, and suddenly parents everywhere are lamenting their rush to wish away the school days.
Now here we are, three weeks in, and I’m already scouring the internet for summer camps that might still have spots for my trio of kiddos.
Summer can transform into a chaotic whirlwind of complaints, squabbles over imaginary games, and far too much screen time. And don’t even get me started on the three most annoying words that echo throughout the house: “Mom, I’m bored!” (I swear, I hear it at least 85 times a day).
Hold on while I chuckle. Last I checked, my dear children, you have a room overflowing with toys, stacks of books, a trampoline, a lovely fenced yard, and various bikes and scooters. If boredom is your issue, it’s time for a reality check.
So here’s a heads-up: Don’t come to me with those boredom blues, or I’ll find something for you to do that’ll make you wish you hadn’t uttered those three little words. And if you dare to complain about being bored during a brief ten-minute car ride, let me regale you with tales of my 1985 family road trip—where screens were a luxury we didn’t have.
My sweet, oblivious children, you wouldn’t recognize true boredom if it hit you like a freight train.
I’m not your personal entertainment committee. My role isn’t to exist solely for your amusement while managing dinner prep and household bills. Let’s be honest; my job is thankless enough without the added burden of entertaining you 24/7. Plus, we all know you’d probably whine about that fun outing I planned anyway.
I do a lot for you—like cleaning your dirty laundry, taking you to the library, and driving you to your friends’ houses. But sometimes, this mom has to tackle her own to-do list. Sure, I love spending time with you at the park or zoo, but I also have chores like grocery shopping and laundry that need my attention (which, by the way, benefits you too).
So if you trot out the “I’m bored” line, here’s what’s likely to happen: you’ll find yourself cleaning baseboards or scrubbing toilets—trust me, you won’t like it. At the very least, your boredom will lead you to some form of productive “child labor” because, believe me, this house is not your personal kid spa where you lounge around and whine when the tablet dies.
If you’re truly feeling bored, how about picking up the shoes and towels strewn all over the floor? Or how about grabbing that vacuum to clean up the trail of snacks from the back door to the front?
Or, if you’re still struggling with boredom, why not write a letter to your grandparents—those very same ones who spoil you to no end? You could also sort through your mountain of toys and donate some to kids who would never dare to say, “I’m bored,” to their overwhelmed summer parent.
And if your boredom persists, I can teach you the fine art of removing the wedged underwear from your pants before you toss them next to the hamper. I can also give you a detailed tutorial on how to wipe down the sticky shelves in the fridge.
Still bored? Awesome! I’m ready to let you tackle the tasks I never get around to, like dusting or organizing the spice cabinet and throwing out expired food. After all, I’m usually busy taking you on fun adventures like trips to the library, swimming pools, and children’s museums.
The truth is, I enjoy creating memorable experiences, and we’ll have plenty of exciting adventures this summer. But you need to understand that sometimes you’ll have to entertain yourselves while I catch up on chores, do some yard work, or simply enjoy the air conditioning.
Other days, I’ll gladly help you set up a lemonade stand or construct the ultimate fort. You may not see it now, but being bored is a gift I’m giving you. You might view it as a curse, but believe me, I can find a million things for you to do. Boredom is a chance for you to spark your imagination, delve into books, and appreciate the privileged life you live—one where boredom is even an option.
So, do me a favor: remove “I’m bored” from your vocabulary. Instead, recognize that your boredom is the best gift I can offer, as it means you’re getting away with not tackling all the chores I could assign you.
And for that, my dear children, a simple thank you would suffice. If not, here’s a mop. Let’s get you acquainted with how it works.