“I’m bored” is what I heard the week after school was let out. With all their toys and games, how can they be bored? I would make suggestions and all I got was “I don’t want to” or “that’s boring” and this always seems to happen when I’m busy doing something.  So I found the only way to get any work done was to schedule time to do my work and after that I can spend time with my children.  I would inform my children after breakfast that they need to find a quiet activity to do while I do my work and when I am finished we will do something together.  So far this summer, our agreement is working out pretty well, just as long as I don’t work to long. I also found that many problems are caused by the lack of structure for which they are accustomed to. The trick is to adjust the structure and make it more flexible and less demanding than it is during the school year. For example:

• Have the children stick to their chores and still help around the house
• Set your regular wake-up and breakfast time later than usual. Allow some flexibility if the kids were up late for a special event (sleepover, drive-in movie, fireworks, etc.)
• For many children it is a good idea to enrol them in some regular activity (Karate, Music Lessons, Swim Team, etc.)
• Have some outings scheduled such as picnics or a trip to the beach. And for those rainy days a trip to the local Children’s Museum, Science Centre, or Bowling Alley are all great indoor activities
• Summer is a good time for sleep-overs and even more fun in a tent outside
• Enjoy spending time with your children; read to them, go for walks and explore your neighbourhood, hikes and bike rides are also a great way to bond and get to know your little ones

 Keeping peace in the house one day at a time