Works For Me Wednesday: Summer Boredom Busters

The Movie Madness Carnival is still going on.  If you haven’t already entered my movie gift basket giveaway, go here now.   The deadline to leave a comment and be eligible to win is Wed, June 4th at 11pm EST. 

The theme of today’s Works for Me Wednesday is the “Mom, I’m bored..” edition.  I hear these words way more than I would like and it drives me CRAZY!!!  I am so looking forward to reading everyone else’s ideas this week!  My sanity depends on it!

Although I’m no parenting guru, I do have a couple of ideas that may be helpful to you. 

The first one is actually one that my son’s behavioral therapist (he is on the autistic spectrum)  had us do for him, but it really works well for both kids and would probably be helpful for any family. 

We post a schedule up on the refridgerator with the day’s activities.  Instead of having something that is set in stone, I came up with little magnetic cards that have pictures and words to reflect the things we do daily.  Here is a picture (Don’t look too close at my dirty fridge.):

So, how does this keep them from getting bored?

Kids thrive on structure and I think they are less likely to be bored when they know what is expected of them them during the day.  They are no longer wandering around aimlessly trying to figure out what they should do next.   We stick to the same general routine for the most part, but I like the idea that the cards can be moved around if needed.

Basically, I put the chart up the night before or in the morning after we get up.  And let me tell you, if I forget they are totally upset. They really do enjoy having the schedule up on the fridge.  The kids love removing the cards after they finish doing something.  It is almost like a checklist for them.

My kids are reading now, but this would work for younger children if you had pictures.    I do recommend laminating the cards because they will last longer.  I just used peel and stick stuff that you can get at your local Office supply store. 

My other idea is something that I haven’t tried yet so I’m hesitant to recommend it, but I’ll just throw it out there in case you may not have thought to do it.  I’m going to help the kids to work on creating their own blog this summer.  They can type a few sentences about their day or special events (ie Vacation, 4th of July, etc..). 

They are 6 and 8 so I think this will be a lot of fun for them, as well as be great writing practice.  It could turn out to be a complete disaster but we’re going to give it a try.

For more boredom busters, visit Rocks in my Dryer. 

June 3, 2008 | Filed Under Works for Me Wednesday 

Comments

11 Responses to “Works For Me Wednesday: Summer Boredom Busters”

  1. mommypie on June 3rd, 2008 10:50 pm

    Love the fridge :)

    And having your kids start their own blogs? GENIUS. I LOVE that idea. As soon as my 4 yo is old enough, I’m totally going to do that!

  2. Melissa on June 3rd, 2008 11:01 pm

    What a great idea for any child at almost any age. That would even work with beginning readers. Plus the kids will have fun making the cards.

  3. Kelly @ Pass the Torch on June 3rd, 2008 11:22 pm

    This is great - the visual schedule is so smart!

  4. Chickie Mamma on June 4th, 2008 1:00 am

    OK! I love the blog idea… both of my daughters would really go for that because it means they could be online AND they’d get some writing in over the summer. You’re so smart. Just don’t read my blog now, because I feel a tiny bit bad saying I would trade my kids for someone elses. I’m going to try your ideas first… then think about trading. hehehe

  5. Toblerone @ Simple Mom on June 4th, 2008 4:50 am

    Love your schedule! Genius.

  6. Jenna on June 4th, 2008 11:04 am

    Love those ideas! My 4-year-old already has “guest posts” on on my blog where she vlogs (video blogs) about her life. I think getting kids into that kind of thing early is so fun!

    I can’t wait to try the card idea…

  7. katy (aka funny girl) on June 4th, 2008 1:26 pm

    My Sweet Pea is not on the spectrum, but has severe behavioral challenges nonetheless. I love this idea. She’s 9, so I think I’ll let her find the clip art on the computer and make the magnets herself.

    Also, I was reading my daughter’s creative writing notebook that was finally sent home and realized that she would be a great blogger. I was thinking about letting her start by guest blogging on my site.

    Have a great summer!!

  8. sarah mae on June 4th, 2008 1:30 pm

    I really like this picture idea - I have an almost three year old and this would be perfect for her.

  9. Cathy on June 4th, 2008 8:30 pm

    What a great idea - keeps them knowing what’s coming and maybe also gives them a chance for some choices!?!

  10. Amanda on June 5th, 2008 9:16 am

    You have two really great ideas. My kids might be too young to start a blog, but maybe not, and what a fun thing for them to look back on? *Yikes* (gasp)! Then will I have competition for the computer???!???

    The magnets are great, I’m going to work on them TODAY!
    Thanks for your fun ideas!

  11. Smellyann on June 5th, 2008 9:50 am

    OMGosh, LOVE the idea of having the kids do their own blogs!! I”m totallly going to have dd, six, start one! Thanks!

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