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Battling the summer doldrums

Your kids couldn’t wait to get out of school but guess what—they’ll be bored in a few weeks. Of course, some have their summers carefully choreographed, but many will be left to their own resources. And “just hanging out” doesn’t cut it in my book.  Perhaps, this inability to tolerate and utilize down time is an unwelcome outcome of the electronic age. Today’s youth expect to be entertained and there’s plenty to keep them busy. But something has gotten lost along the way. Too many young people depend on their friends for constant company and don’t know how to spend alone time comfortably. This becomes readily apparent during summer vacation. In short, they get bored way too easily, and that can lead to trouble.

 

Boredom is only the tip of the iceberg and loneliness may lurk below. If you really want to help your kids, don’t take it upon yourself to entertain them when they complain that they “have nothing to do”. Instead, teach them satisfying ways to occupy themselves when they’re alone. And if your son or daughter is a prisoner of cyberspace (many are), it’s probably time to take action. Rather than restrict them from the few things they enjoy, why not tell them you expect them to engage in constructive activities for at least several hours a day either before docking on the internet or hanging out with like minded peers at the local watering hole. Have them choose the activities from a menu which you jointly devise. They’ll probably balk at the idea, but stick to your guns. 

 

There are plenty of possibilities to fuel interests and combat boredom. Think reading, hobbies, volunteer work, babysitting, nature walks, and honing their talents for the next school year. Good things happen when young people find their passions and learn to be more independent. Cathy, a fifteen year old I worked with some years ago, chose to help out in a clothing store after her parents insisted she do something other than complain how bored she was. I ran into her at a shopping mall last year and was pleasantly surprised to learn that she was a manager of a large store.