do you do outings every day in the summer?

[poohguys]

Right now, I have a hard time getting mine out of the house. I have a fourteen year old boy who thinks he should sleep until noon, eat a frozen pizza, take a shower and then start his day. And a thirteen year old girl that has her nose in a book and if you suggest going somewhere wants to do it "when she finishes her book."

They really wanted to go to the local amusement park this summer, but it isn't going to happen because they haven't chosen to make it happen. Tough cookies for them.

I am like you crisi DS12 would rather play on his computer or do something outside in our yard than leave the house. We went to see a movie that he wanted to see and he said he wanted to come right home after it-lol. Maybe because he is an only child he entertains himself well. Good luck to OP I know my neighbor who has 3 kids has the same problems as you in the summer.

 

[katie111]

I feel your pain too. My kids are 6, 9, and 11. We are currently on a 2 week beach vacation. We were at the beach yesterday and all of them were complaining that there was nothing to do at the beach. Really? How about swimming, boogie boarding, building a sandcastle, paddleball, or taking a walk? They didn't want to do any of those things. So annoying!

However, I keep reminding myself that in a couple years they won't want to do anything with me. We do tons of activities because I love to be on the go. I personally hate being home (I feel like all I do is clean when we're home and the kids just fight) so I like to be out doing things. Also, I like my kids to be active. Some days we just run errands but I still think its better than having my kids home watching tv all day. Some activities we do are expensive but we also do playgrounds, the local pool, beach, playdates, etc.

 

[shortbun]

I remember my Mom being very creative in the summer. We could go to the pool and we took a family trip to see our grandparents at the beach. Other than those two activities, if we said we were bored, we'd get cleaning assignments.

I tried to sign my son up for week long summer camps. After one year of that, he requested camps that began at 12N or later, lol! Then, he only wanted two of those. He was happy to hang out, sleep in, read, write in a journal and play with the neighborhood kids.

 

[pfp258]

Wow...special outings, dinners out and they are still complaining? Kids need down time in the summer. Being bored encourages children to develop interests. Why would there ever be an expectation of daily entertainment? I am also a SAHM and while we did our share of walks to the libraries, movies, swimming, visiting cousins, amusement parks etc. when my girls were younger, more,often they played. Open ended play experiences...playing school, dolls, car wash with their bikes, having lemonade stands, singing karaoke, dressing up, putting on plays and shows and going to a nearby park. As they got older, they spent more time reading, baking, hanging out with their friends, playing board games, going to the pool and having movie marathons. They looked forward to outings, but it was never something they decided, but something I would offer. I am sorry your children feel that they can demand things from you. I hope you can find a way to have time for yourself and your children could appreciate you a bit more.

 

[Colleen27]

We don't do outings every day, but this summer has certainly been bleeding me dry. Except for the one stupid-hot week it has been too cool for our usual go-to free pastime - hanging out at the beach/swimming in the river. So we've been doing more paid outings, bowling and putt-putt and the zoo and art museum and things like that. Between that and all the usual summer expenses (Girl Scout camp, band camp, summer swim team, football pay-to-play, town carnival, 4H fair, etc) it has been a more expensive summer than usual around these parts!

We're usually on the go two days a week, less now that football practice has started for my son, and that's plenty. I think if my kids were complaining about it, I'd be inclined to make it even less. My problem is that they're so darned nice and appreciative that they're hard to say "no" to... The last time I told my DD12 that something wasn't in the budget she offered to treat the family out of her summer earnings so we could go. I always told them you catch more flies with honey and it seems they learned the lesson well - I'd have an easier time saying no to kids who acted spoiled/demanding.

 

[Patience]

Keeping my children entertained on a daily basis is not my responsibility. That is not to say that I don't take them fun places on occasion. Of course I do. However, any child in this house whining that she is bored will be assigned a chore. Child: "I'm bored". Me: "Great! I have three loads of laundry that need to be folded and put away. Thanks for your help. Now get to it!". Yeah, my kids know not to whine about being bored, even my 6 year old. It's important for kids to be able to entertain themselves as it builds creativity and self-sufficiency.

 

[EagleScout]

Maybe there is a Habitat for Humanity or Community Garden or similar nearby that needs volunteers? That could be an interesting and enjoyable way to spend a few days per week in the last few days of summer. Interesting that your kids not want to go to community pool(s), but obviously that is not so uncommon now (but I do remember as a kid loving to go to our local pool). Luckily our son is still at an age (3) where he loves our backyard, with its swingset, etc., and I think his favorite thing now may be going on "NATURE WALKS" in the wooded part of our backyard. In fact, sometimes on a weekend I will propose going to a local park or even the beach (particularly b/c my wife stays at home all week so likes to see something other than just our house), and he will beg just to play at our house.

 

[leahjade]

When I was a kid, if we told my mom we were bored...she gave us chores to do.

Exactly! Wow, who's the parent and running the household? My mom was a stay at home parent but never felt the need to entertain us all summer! That's what kids' friends are for. We did a few day trips and one vacation and the rest of the summer we went outside, read books, swam or played games. How will kids ever be able to use their imaginations and resourcefulness if everything is scheduled by the parent?

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

I hear you!! Summer can certainly get expensive if you let it. It's hard to find a balance between keeping your kids active and having fun, yet not breaking the bank.

We have a summer reading program at our local library and my children participated in that. It's great b/c they get free prizes and also raffle entries to win the big stuff. My kids also enjoy reading. Well, my DD isn't old enough, we read to her but my son is 7 and he reads.

We have a community pool in our town as well but I have never signed up for it. It's kind of expensive for a family pkg. and I *think* we do enough with them that they don't need it. Also, DH and I work during the days so we really wouldn't get much use out of it. There are times I feel guilty that we didn't do as much with the kids this summer, then I give myself a reality check, lol: We took them to the beach 2x ($$$), they go to the park all the time, library visits, picinic in the park, I also took them to an arcade where they had rides, games, etc. Plus, we are going on our Disney trip in 2 weeks. I think that is a fun summer, IMO. Now that fall sports practice has started, we are even busier.

To the OP- don't let your girls rope you into doing things that are going to wipe your wallet out. Stand firm- it seems like you've already done a lot with them. Maybe let them go to the grocery store with you to pick out snacks for a movie night in the home with their friends.... you can make it a fun sleepover. I think (And my kids get like this too), they are bored but don't have creative/imaginative ideas as to what to do, and just want to go out to go out. Adults get like that too---- that's why so many of my friends have shopping & money probs!

 

[luvmy3]

This is the time of summer vacation where my kids get bored too. We have a pool, from May to July they were in it practically everyday. Now it sits unused. My two oldest did 2 weeks each of "geek" camp and my youngest did 7 weeks of our town summer camp. We've hiked, biked, camped, movies, drive-ins, parties, etc but now its wind down time and all they want to do is sleep late, sit around and play video games. I'm letting them. That way I don't get to hear how bored they are. We go to WDW soon and then its back to school so if they want to be slackers for the next week I'm all right with that. If they complain they are bored, I'll tell them we can go back to school shopping, that will keep them quiet

 

[leahjade]

The girls are 13, 11, 9

Do they have chores to do? The 13 year old is old enough to babysit neighbor kids or help elderly neighbors with housekeeping, walk pets etc. When my daughter was 13, she gave elementary school kids flute lessons a few nights a week. The self esteem kids get from earning their own spending money is something that can't be bought or taught!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

No we don't do very many outings at all. Even on weekends.

I work in the mornings and the afternoons are usually spent doing the household chores and errands with occasional movies or mall time.

We could do outings on the weekends but nobody but me will get out of bed before noon anymore and at that point everything is crowded.

We used to do alot on the weekends when my kids were little and my son was in Cub Scouts. Camping, touring various historic sites. Going to a park.

If I were you, just say no if you are tired of it. It sounds like you have had a great summer full of activities already.
Your kids need to learn how to entertain themselves. And if the kids complain they are bored, give them easy chores to do. That's what I have done and still do. Very little complaining about being bored at my house. LOL

 

[descovy]

Do they have chores to do? The 13 year old is old enough to babysit neighbor kids or help elderly neighbors with housekeeping, walk pets etc. When my daughter was 13, she gave elementary school kids flute lessons a few nights a week. The self esteem kids get from earning their own spending money is something that can't be bought or taught!

They do chores. When I get home (about 11:15) I expect kitchen/living room to be picked up and beds made. Dressed, breakfast eaten and cleaned up. Laundry is done once a week (Monday, my day off) it takes all day and they're expected to help.

We don't go out every day. That's when I get the complaining. They seem to think they *should* go out everyday, and I am not measuring up

I showed them the thread! We're all laying low for the rest of the summer

 

[Gigi22]

If they don't already have them, get each of your kids a library card. They should be capable of amusing themselves reading.

 

[Eureka]

Nope. I freelance from the house and now they are old enough (10 and 12) to entertain themselves so they have a lot of downtime in the summer while I work. Most of the summer they had swim practice, they each did a week of camp too. I usually take them somewhere once or twice a week -- lunch, or ice cream or a few times a movie. They ride their bikes, hang out listening to music, have been playing monopoly together, I have been reminding them to read and practice piano, etc. We used to go to the pool several times a week when I had decided I had done enough work, but this year they have not been as interested. Maybe because they swam a lot for swim team. Bottom line is, I am not an entertainment center.

 

[Tinkermommy]

When I was a kid, if we told my mom we were bored...she gave us chores to do.

We quickly learned to find something to do to occupy ourselves or she'd find us something very unpleasant to assign us.

I'm all ready to do this with my own kids (10 and 8) but they never tell me they are bored, so I'm lucky for now, I guess.

This is what I do. I hear the word bored and starting listing chores. They quickly find something to do!

I am not their Cruise Director and they have plenty of entertainment options at home so they can figure it out. My DD mostly wants to hang out and listen to music anyway.

And complaining to Dad! No way! They would be cleaning the house top to bottom if they wanted something to complain about.

I think if finances are not tight and they want to "earn" an extra outing or meal out you could find some ways to do so. Or they could volunteer or find "jobs" in the neighborhood as well.

Good Luck OP!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

Nope. 4 kids who are so busy during the school year they beg to stay home and stay up late and sleep all day or play video games or use the computer. When they were younger and said they were bored I would find them chores to do. That nipped everything in the bud. You don't have to be their event planner.

My kids also do not bug me to take them places. They love to stay up all night and sleep all day. That way they get to be awake all night while I am sleeping and I am awake all day while they are in the bed sleeping.

Usually during the summer I join the Y for June and July so that we can go swimming a few times a week but we used it so sparingly last year that I decided not to spend that money this year. It is $75 joining fee then $54 a month for the 2 months. So right at $200 for 2 months of swimming.

We don't live near anything like water parks or amusement parks so they have nothing to ask me to take them to really. Occasionally they might ask to go see a certain movie but that is a rare occasion. I am usually the one wanting to go to the movies.

Next summer we will be taking a big family vacation right after school gets out so that will be the only entertainment next summer.

I do not entertain my kids. That's not my job. Maybe when they were 3 but not when they are 13.

They had some friends over and also went over to some friends houses in turn both other than that, my kids LITERALLY did NOTHING all summer.

They do get to go skating EVERY Friday night from 6 to 10 pm so that is their social outlet. lol

 

[GadgetTheInventor]

You mentioned that your kids do a lot of extra-curricular activities. If they go to school all-day and then have scheduled activities afterwards, doesn't it make sense that they would be bored if suddenly their 12 hours of daily scheduled activities were removed and filled with nothing?

And since they are constantly expecting to eat out and buy concession snacks, could it be because they buy their lunch at school, use vending machines between school and practice, or eat out with the family when visitors are over?

Just an idea to throw out there, why not give each of your kids a budget for next summer starting in the Winter (camp registration is so early these days) and let them decide how to use their money. You can set some boundaries by helping them figure out the cost per mile of using your car for transportation and then that money will come out of their budget. They would be able to split the cost of gas money and your ticket price (your time is valuable) if they all went together. If they have a budget of $800, then they have to decide if they want to spend $600 of that on two weeks of summer camp or if they want to invest in a new hobby or going to the movies or even a cheaper weekly activity. If they claim that they did nothing, then you can reply back how it seems pretty stupid to not be able to accomplish anything with $800 and that they chose how to spend their money. And budgeting is something that parents have to do every day so it is not cruel and unusual punishment to make them sit down with calculators while planning and making tough decisions. You could also decide if they would be able to earn extra money by doing more than their usual chores around the house. That might be a great way to ease them into doing more adult chores around the house that require careful attention...waxing the floors, washing and sanitizing the fridge, deep cleaning of rooms, etc. As their school and extra curricular fees go up each year, they can pay it off by doing more chores around the house to compensate for how much extra their parents have to work.

 

[jensen]

Interesting post... could it be that the OP does too much with her kids? That they cannot figure out how to entertain themselves?

I hardly spend any money on my kids in the summer. I work part-time and they are on their own while I'm at work. They ride their bikes everywhere and pack a snack in their bag. I don't ever give them cash as everything is either prepaid or free. They have a waterpark pass, a bowling card (2 games per day including shoes), a YMCA membership, a library card, and are in a youth golf league.

I've NEVER heard them say they are bored or there is nothing to do.

 

[MEM]

Keeping my children entertained on a daily basis is not my responsibility. That is not to say that I don't take them fun places on occasion. Of course I do. However, any child in this house whining that she is bored will be assigned a chore. Child: "I'm bored". Me: "Great! I have three loads of laundry that need to be folded and put away. Thanks for your help. Now get to it!". Yeah, my kids know not to whine about being bored, even my 6 year old. It's important for kids to be able to entertain themselves as it builds creativity and self-sufficiency.

That's the way I was raised but instead of folding laundry it was pulling weeds!