My kids are still out of school, the sun is still shining, and we are not quite back to school. We have officially completed our PCS move and are (dare I say it) somewhat settling in.
But what happens now?
I have five-year-old twins that will be starting kindergarten in the fall, and I am going through all of the emotions (but I will save that for another day). I work full time remotely, and I am not that mom that had a set schedule for every day of summer (although I wish deep down in my bones that I was).
So here we are: trying to stay entertained, still learning, getting work done, and everything in between. I do know that if I enforce a strict schedule on my children, they will want to do the exact opposite (please tell me I am not the only one). So my best tactic is to make them think they had a say in everything we do and that there is a benefit in it for them.
Here are a few things I am trying to stave off the boredom of this in-between time:
- Coloring can be fun: My daughter loves to color, draw, all the things; my son does not. How do I get them to both love it and still achieve the day’s bridge work? I have found that if one is coloring a page, the other wants to color that exact same style of page. So I make it a race. Whoever finishes first gets to choose a new pencil or sticker or small trinket. I am all about celebrating small victories, and this is just enough motivation to keep them entertained and busy.
- Utilize the great weather for outdoor fun: It’s still nice outside, and there are tons of benefits to being outdoors. Whether it’s bike riding, scooter fun, or hanging by the pool, it all counts! I want to make sure we take full advantage of the summertime weather while avoiding boredom indoors. My tip: I set an alarm on my phone every day for one hour to remind us to go outside and reset. I find when we don’t do this and are stuck inside all day, it drains us all. This article has some more tips for getting your kids outside!
- Visit a park: Be it a neighborhood or city park, it’s an easy way for the kids to entertain themselves. You are still watching them but can get a small breather while they play. PLUS by the time they’re done, they will have worn themselves out and be ready for a nap.
- Mandatory quiet time: This is not a punishment! Everyone, to include parents, needs quiet time to reset and rest. Try to keep it short with smaller children, who may not be able to withstand a longer period of time. Set a timer and have everyone rest in their rooms or in a quiet place. They can read to themselves (if able) or simply stay in that room for the allotted time. It will give all of you that small break you need.
