Savoring a Simple Summer

I got an e-mail today from "Healthy Kids" telling me "50+ things" my kids need to do this summer in order to have their "best ever summer."

There are lots of great ideas listed.

But I'm always left wondering why they need to do anything. Isn't that part of the charm and fun of the summertime? The fact that there isn't a firm/fixed schedule, and kids are left to do as they please (within reason, of course), to explore and play and basically unwind from one school year and re-energize for the next one.

Hmm...

I laugh at the number of us adults who forget that kids are constantly learning. Their little sponge-like brains learn all the time -- things that are both good and bad -- through everything they do. Why must they be a part of something structured all the time? When do they get the chance to relax...and even be *gasp* bored?

Boredom in our society is synonymous with idleness and devilishness, I think. And for some kids that's probably true. But that's where we as parents come in. (I believe that kids still need supervision well into their teen years -- due to the fact that they lack the maturity and discernment needed in certain situations.)

So will my kids have a good summer even if they don't get to do one of the 50+ ideas listed in the e-mail?

Undoubtedly, yes.

We have bubbles and tents and sidewalk chalk and books and a big yard full of "pillbugs" and ants and beetles to explore. We just started our second "after-lunch" book, and they're still doing a little brainwork with reading time and their Summer Bridge books.

And they'll undoubtedly get bored, too...at which point we might take advantage of our museum or zoo memberships or a trip to our local library or playground. Or maybe we'll get out some coloring books and crayons or a boardgame...or we could just lay in the grass and study the clouds.

With a little imagination, there's always plenty to do.

And to think people pity us because we don't have a pool membership...or a bigger cable package.

*grin*

I think our life is pretty full without those things. And I think the kids are having a good summer despite it, too. *wink*