I've discovered....having six kids CAN have disadvantages....

[6_Time_Momma]

In my case, it's that, at least a couple of my kids apparently don't know how to keep themselves entertained while their siblings are away!!.

My two oldest daughters are at a friend's house tonight and Bradley is still hiking through the mountains of Wyoming, so I'm left with Garrett, Selena, and Olivia.

Here I was, silly me, thinking it should be a relatively quiet, peaceful night.

WRONG!!!!!

Technically, Garrett IS keeping himself entertained up in his room listening to both his TV and his radio at decibals that would put a jet plane to shame.

And Olivia has decided to occupy herself by dressing up as Tinkerbell and walking across the living room on a balance beam made out of lasagna noodles.

But, Selena can't seem to find anything to do, so she's been following me around all night. I don't think she has stopped talking for more than one minute, but I could be off by a few seconds.

We've played Go Fish and played hair dresser. She called Grandma and Papa to see if she could stay the night at their house, but my neice is gone for the night and they wanted a quiet night to themselves. (How ironic) We are going to try manicure next. The only way I got down here to the computer is by telling her I had to switch over laundry. I don't have much time left.


I can't get Bradley home from Wyoming, but maybe I can convince the girls to come home!! LOL!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I know what you mean--we were down from 4 kids to one for awhile tonight and 6yo Jake was a little lost, "I'm the only kid home?" My 18yo is working, 15yo went to Karaoke night at his camp, and 12yo was at baseball practice. Was nice having only one, but he expected to actually interact with us! He's in bed, so we're back to just having one, the 12yo, but he's off playing video games, but I think my DH is playing, too, so it's v-e-r-y quiet here.

 

[Disney Doll]

Not intended as a direct comment regarding your kids 6 Time, but I have been noticing over the last several years that kids seem to have less imagination than we did, and less ability to amuse/entertain themselves.

Could it be computers and video games that "feed" kids stuff instead of them having to think up things themselves?

I can remember being a 10-12 year old girl and playing for hours with my friends and our Barbies, making furniture out of shoe boxes and tomato baskets and so on. I have a 12 year godchild who, if you don't have a variety of activities planned for her at all times, is up your butt constantly whining "what can I do now???"

 

[Tigger&Belle]

DD, I know a lot of kids who do expect to be entertained all the time. My 6yo usually isn't too bad, especially when he's not allowed to play video games at all (he's limited to certain hours on the days he can play and during the school year only on weekends), but I've been seen some kids who expect adults to play with them all the time and can't play by themself at all. And I'm not talking toddlers/preschoolers, but school aged children.

 

[Mom21]

Not intended as a direct comment regarding your kids 6 Time, but I have been noticing over the last several years that kids seem to have less imagination than we did, and less ability to amuse/entertain themselves.

Could it be computers and video games that "feed" kids stuff instead of them having to think up things themselves?

I can remember being a 10-12 year old girl and playing for hours with my friends and our Barbies, making furniture out of shoe boxes and tomato baskets and so on. I have a 12 year godchild who, if you don't have a variety of activities planned for her at all times, is up your butt constantly whining "what can I do now???"

Not wanting to hijack the thread, but I can weigh in my opinion on this. We homeschooled until last year (3rd grade). My dd would play hours by herself with dolls and such. She isn't much of a video type kid. She usually had the tv on but rarely watched it. I noticed that once she went to school, she seemed so used to having something to do that she would go crazy if she had 30 minutes to herself. Seems that kids these days are so scheduled that they don't know how to do "down time". When I was their age, I had school and maybe a 30 minute piano lesson each week. My dd has afterschool clubs, cheerleading (competitive so hours a week), private tumbling classes, piano, church, church band, VBS, horseback riding, 4-H....blah,blah,blah. And she would do more if I let her. After this last year, I finally understand parents that are frustrated with their children during the summer. Kids are so overstimulated, they think they need constant interaction and can't play by themselves. Not saying this is the case in the OP's post (once again sorry to hijack), but I can understand it. Now how to get my dd to stop doing all these activities.....????? that is another post.

 

[jennobrn01]

Growing up as the oldest in a family of four we as sibs were always a little lost if home alone. Even now... with me being 28 and the youngest 19... we still feel lost if not everyone is at a family dinner. We nag each other about family loyalty when that happens in our best Corrleone voices.

We grew up with no TV/Movies... homeschooled.... and we did struggle to amuse ourselves when some sibs were away. That's the essence of family.

 

[FreshTressa]

I have two, and my mom always wants to take just one for the weekend because she says it is easier...

I always say NO, cuz to me it is way too hard just to have one around!!


As for kids entertaining themselves....we have no cable or internet access or video game machines this summer as we are living in temporary housing. I though it would be a nightmare, but it has been GREAT....we have never been happier as a family. Just something to think about!