“Mom, I’m bored.  There’s nothing to do!” I’m sure you never hear that in your house, right?

Have you ever read the book by Peter Spier, Bored, Nothing To Do?  It’s about two brothers who are bored so their mom sends them outside to do “something”.  Out in the garage, they build an airplane and fly it…If you haven’t read the book, go to your library and grab a copy.  Whether you’re 6, 16 or 36, you’ll enjoy it.  I think I’ll go read it again!

The airplane “project” results from boredom.  There are two solutions to your kids’ boredom I want to share with you.  I think both have positive outcomes for your children this summer and hope you will share these with your friends & family.

Last fall I read an article by our local librarian.  She made the point that boredom in children produces creativity.  Think about it.  When your children are bored, they often find something to do on their own.  It takes creativity to imagine and invent your own “project”.  Remember the two brothers in Spier’s book.  They were bored and definitely used their creativity to build & fly an
airplane.

With this in mind, you need to provide stimulating resources for your children.  Resources can be as simple as the sticks in the backyard or more involved like craft baskets or lego boxes.  When they are bored, they can use those resources as they spark their own imagination to overcome boredom.  Usually, kids will find something to do because they don’t want to be bored.

Allowing your children to overcome boredom with their own creative projects allows you to see your children’s real passions and interests.

Another solution to boredom is pointing out places your children could go to cure their boredom.  If your son simply sits on the couch staring at the ceiling, remind him of the boxes of legos in his closet or the race track pieces under his bed.  When your daughter lies on her bed with nothing to do, mention the basket of art supplies in the family room.  You get the idea.

I realize busy moms don’t always have time to remember suggestions for your kids to encourage creativity.  I have a list of 206 summer fun activities for kids that I share with my subscribers every year.  You can find it at “Bored, Nothing to Do This Summer? Blog”  I read it myself and choose a few I’d like to do with my own children.

After you get this list, feel free to print it, cut them out and put each one in a jar.  Let your kids choose one when they are “bored”.  By the way, this list was sent to me years ago and I don’t know its origin.

These verses are always encouraging to me when I feel overwhelmed or “stressed out”.

The righteous cry, and the LORD hears

And delivers them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34: 17-18

Now that it’s time to write thank you’s, why not have some fun with your kids?  Let them make a tag book thank you.  Write a few lines about the gift on one tag. Add a few Christmas pics on the other tags.  Now you have a special thank you card.  Grandmas and Grandpas love these!

Just follow these Tag Book directions

…from Two Peas in a Bucket

Many of you celebrate advent, like our family. Here’s a fun way to prepare for advent from Two Peas in a Bucket

This is a really fun way to celebrate advent. If you want the directions, surf on over to Two Peas in a Bucket and you will find them there.

Here’s another page of directions right here When I was writing this, I hadn’t tried either of these, but I should have some advice by the time this posts to my blog.

If you haven’t read my original article, skip down to the next post and read it. Then, come back to this one.

After writing my article about boredom, I walked outside to see my 14yo son. I was quickly reminded that work is also important for our children. My son was pulling up a wire fence in our backyard.

Let me back up…When I returned from my walk this morning, I noticed the fence with tons of weeds inside. I decided my son could get rid of the fence today. I mentioned it to him as he ate breakfast and he didn’t look too excited about it. The next thing I heard was, “Mom, where are the gloves?” He didn’t have anything planned this morning (think: bored), so he pulled up the wire fence cheerfully. I told him how impressed I was with his work (think: encouragement) because I really was impressed!

Before I close, let me say that I am not suggesting constant chores when your children are bored. I believe a healthy balance between work and play (think: creativity) is necessary. Small, odd jobs, here & there are excellent, especially for young men. Let them have plenty of time to be creative and intersperse it with “real” work every once in awhile. Besides, work and ingenuity are necessary for future leaders!!

“I’m bored, there’s nothing to do!” I’m sure you’ve never heard that in your home!

Have you ever read the book by Peter Spier, Bored, Nothing To Do? It’s about two brothers who are bored so their mom sends them outside to do “something”. Out in the garage, they build an airplane and fly it…If you haven’t read the book, go to your library and grab a copy. Whether you’re 6, 16 or 36, you’ll enjoy it. I think I’ll go read it again!

The airplane “project” results from boredom. There are two solutions to your kids’ boredom I want to share with you. I think both have positive outcomes for your children this summer and hope you will share these with your friends & family.

Last fall I read an article by our local librarian. She made the point that boredom in children produces creativity. Think about it. When your children are bored, they often find something to do on their own. It takes creativity to imagine and invent your own “project”. Remember the 2 brothers in Spier’s book. They were bored and definitely used their creativity to build & fly an airplane.

With this in mind, you need to provide stimulating resources for your children. Resources can be as simple as the sticks in the backyard or more involved like craft baskets or lego boxes. When they are bored, they can use those resources as they spark their own imagination to overcome boredom. Usually, kids will find something to do because they don’t want to be bored.

Allowing your children to overcome boredom with their own creative projects allows you to see your children’s real passions and interests.

Another solution to boredom is pointing out places your children could go to cure their boredom. If your son simply sits on the couch staring at the ceiling, remind him of the boxes of legos in his closet or the race track pieces under his bed. When your daughter lies on her bed with nothing to do, mention the basket of art supplies in the family room. You get the idea.

I realize busy moms don’t always have time to remember suggestions for your kids to encourage creativity. Here’s a list I share every summer with my subscribers. Not only do I share it with my subscribers, I read it myself and choose a few I’d like to do with my own children.

You can print the list, cut them out and put each one in a jar. Let your kids choose one when they are “bored”. By the way, this list was sent to me years ago and I don’t know its origin.

You can print the list, cut them out and put each one in a jar. Let your kids choose one when they are “bored”. By the way, this list was sent to me years ago and I don’t know its origin.In no particular order,
1. ride bikes
2. roller blade
3. basketball
4. play board games
5. make a tent out of blankets
6. squirt with hoses
7. run through the sprinkler
8. jump rope
9. read books
10. blow bubbles
11. make homemade play dough
12. play with play dough
13. press flowers
14. do crafts with pressed flowers
15. write a letter to a relative, friend or pen pal
16. clean bedroom
17. vacuum livingroom
18. clean bathroom
19. make a craft
20. draw
21. color
22. paint
23. pull weeds
24. watch a movie
25. write stories
26. use binoculars
27. use magnifying glass
28. use microscope
29. bird watching
30. write a play
31. act out a play
32. invent circus acts
33. perform a circus
34. play card games
35. make art on the front walkway with sidewalk chalk
36. play catch
37. play baseball
38. collect rocks
39. collect leaves
40. collect feathers
41. play Frisbee
42. make Frisbee’s out of old plastic lids, decorate with markers
43. dust the house
44. brush the pet
45. write letters
46. read a magazine
47. play dress-up
48. play Cowboys
49. pick vegetables
50. play outside with the pet
51. build a fort in your rooms
52. build a fort in the backyard
53. do a jigsaw puzzle
54. play on the Geosafari
55. play on the computer
56. listen to a story or book on tape
57. do extra schoolwork to get ahead
58. do brain teasers (ie:crosswords,word searches,etc.)
59. cook
60. prepare lunch
61. surprise a neighbor with a good deed
62. play store
63. prepare a “restaurant” lunch with menus
64. hold a tea party
65. have a Teddy bear picnic
66. play with toy cars
67. play dolls
68. play house
69. chase butterflies
70. collect caterpillars and bugs
71. plant a garden or a pot
72. collect seeds
73. hunt for four-leaf clovers
74. learn magic tricks
75. put on a magic show
76. plant a container garden
77. sprout seeds or beans
78. make sock puppets
79. put on a puppet show
80. make Christmas presents
81. make homemade wrapping paper
82. make homemade gift cards
83. make picture frames from twigs glued onto sturdy cardboard
84. crochet or knit
85. make doll clothes
86. sew buttons in designs on old shirts
87. run relay races
88. make bookmarks
89. take a quiet rest time
90. take a shower or bath
91. bathe a pet
92. feed the birds or squirrels
93. watch the clouds
94. organize a dresser drawer
95. clean under the bed
96. empty dishwasher
97. vacuum under the couch cushions and keep any change found
98. write these ideas on pieces of paper and pick out one or two to do
99. whittle
100. whittle bars of soap
101. practice musical instruments
102. perform a family concert
103. teach yourself to play musical instrument (recorder, harmonica, guitar)
104. fold laundry
105. sweep kitchen or bathroom floors
106. sweep front walkway
107. sweep or spray back patio
108. sweep or spray driveway
109. wash car
110. vacuum car
111. vacuum or dust window blinds
112. clean bathroom mirrors
113. clean sliding glass doors
114. clean inside of car windows
115. wash bicycles
116. clean garage
117. play in the sandbox
118. build a sandcastle
119. work with clay
120. copy your favorite book illustration
121. design your own game
122. build with blocks or Legos
123. create a design box (copper wire, string, odds-and- ends of things destined for the garbage, pom-poms, thread, yarn,etc.)
124. plan a neighborhood or family Olympics
125. have a marble tournament
126. paint a picture with lemon juice on white paper and hang it in a sunny window and see what happens in a few days
127. finger paint with pudding
128. make dessert
129. make dinner
130. give your pet a party
131. paint the sidewalk with water
132. start a journal of summer fun
133. start a nature diary
134. have a read-a-thon with a friend or sibling
135. have a neighborhood bike wash
136. play flashlight tag
137. play Kick the Can
138. check out a science book and try some experiments
139. make up a story
140. arrange photo albums
141. find bugs and start a collection
142. do some stargazing
143. decorate bikes or wagons and have a neighborhood parade
144. catch butterflies and then let them go
145. play hide-and-seek
146. create a symphony with bottles and pans and rubber bands
147. listen to the birds sing
148. try to imitate bird calls
149. read a story to a younger child
150. find shapes in the clouds
151. string dry noodles or O-shaped cereals into a necklace
152. glue noodles into a design on paper
153. play hopscotch
154. play jacks
155. make up a song
156. make a teepee out of blankets
157. write in your journal
158. find an ant colony and spill some food and watch what happens
159. play charades
160. make up a story by drawing pictures
161. draw a cartoon strip
162. make a map of your bedroom, house or neighborhood
163. call a friend
164. cut pictures from old magazines and write a story
165. make a collage using pictures cut from old magazines
166. do a secret service for a neighbor
167. plan a treasure hunt
168. make a treasure map
169. make up a “Bored List” of things to do
170. plan a special activity for your family
171. search your house for items made in other countries and then
learn about those countries from the encyclopedia or online
172. plan an imaginary trip to the moon
173. plan an imaginary trip around the world, where would you want to go
174. write a science-fiction story
175. find a new pen pal
176. make up a play using old clothes as costumes
177. make up a game for practicing math facts
178. have a Spelling Bee
179. make up a game for practicing spelling
180. surprise an elderly neighbor or relative by weeding his/her garden
181. fingerpaint with shaving cream
182. collect sticks and mud and build a bird’s nest
183. write newspaper articles for a pretend newspaper
184. put together a family newsletter
185. write reviews of movies or plays or tv shows or concerts you
see during the summer
186. bake a cake
187. bake a batch of cookies
188. decorate a shoe box to hold your summer treasures
189. make a hideout or clubhouse
190. make paper airplanes
191. have paper airplane races
192. learn origami
193. make an obstacle course in your backyard
194. make friendship bracelets for your friends
195. make a wind chime out of things headed for the garbage
196. paint your face
197. braid hair
198. play tag
199. make a sundial
200. make food sculptures (from pretzels, gumdrops, string licorice, raisins, cream cheese, peanuts, peanut butter, etc.) and then eat it
201. make a terrarium
202. start a club
203. take a nap outside on your lawn
204. produce a talent show
205. memorize a poem
206. recite a memorized poem for your familyHave a wonderful summer!Please share this list as part of the entire article with the bio below. It would mean a great deal to me for others to have it.———————–

To get ready for the next school year, pick up Kerry Beck’s free audio workshop at Home School Material. This summer she also gives you a free report, “How to Get It All Done” at Homeschool Curriculum.
———————

Socialization

What a shock! Most people think that socialization is a
top reason to send your child to the schools run by the
government. They believe that the public school helps
socialize your children. What do you have when you
get a roomful of 10 year old boys? A room of fools!
Let’s face it, just having your child with a bunch of other
kids does not socialize your children properly. Oh, it
socializes them, but not with morals, character,
integrity, honor, courage. The only place a child
learns those attributes is from those who have
walked before him, adults who have developed
character in their own lives.

When your child attends public school, at any age,
he learns to socialize by developing a new vocabulary
(swear words), wearing new clothes (immodest at
best), showing little or no respect for authority,
developing a low work ethic, and so forth. If you
want your child to mature in these ways, the public
school is for you. My guess is you want to protect
your children from this type of socializing.

Narrow-minded Education

Those that attend public schools receive a limited
education, similar to a conveyor-belt. Everyone in
first grade is taught the exact same concepts,
pouring facts into the child-container. As your child
moves along the conveyor belt, he receives the same
education as everyone else. He studies from the
same textbooks as everyone else, is tested the same
as all other students, is graded based upon the same
scale, regardless of individual talents, interests, goals
and personal missions in life. Moving down the
factory line, the product (your child) is assembled
with certain parts (curriculum). All products (children)
are fitted with the same parts (education) as everyone
else. When the product completes station 12, he is
stamped (diploma) as a finished product and sold to
the job market. There is no room for educating your
child at his own rate or spending more time on certain
subject areas because he is talented in that area.
Each child in the public school must follow the same
plan even if that plan does not pursue his own goals
and missions in life. This may seem “normal” to you,
but that is because you are probably a product of the
conveyor- belt education system of the public schools.

On another note: the factory does provide much
training in math & science, leaving literature & history
(the subjects that develop “how to think”) behind. Its
scope of education is very limited.

Inferior Academics

If you look at the exit test for eighth graders at the end
of the nineteenth century, you would be amazed. Could
you answer any of the following questions from the
1895 Final Exam for Eighth Grade?

- Define Case, Illustrate each Case.
- Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided.
- What is meant by the following: Alphabet, phonetic orthography, etymology, syllabication?
- Name and describe the following: Monrovia, Odessa, Denver, Manitoba, Hecla, Yukon, St. Helena, Juan Fermandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco.

These questions are beyond the scope of most adults
today. The expectations in academics have been drastically
lowered over the past one hundred years.

Although our children may be encouraged to memorize
many facts about a subject, they are not able to “think”
about the subject areas. The study of a particular subject
area is limited.

Harvey Bluedorn, author of Teaching the Trivium, sums
up the danger of depending on public schools for
academic education: “Classroom teaching has the
inevitable long-term effect of dumbing down the
curriculum, reducing the method to minimums, and
lowering the quality of results. So, specialized programs
must be introduced.”

After studying the public school system, I was surprised
to find out that most Americans receive an education
historically set for the poor. That’s right, our American
government’s public school provides an education that
prepares people for a job. Historically, superior
academics and thinking was available to the rich and
middle-class. The poor received a public education
so they could be productive in society and be
prepared for a job as an adult. When your child
attends public school today, he will receive just
enough education to prepare him for a job.
Remember, education is much more than job training.

Secular Priorities & Values

The curriculum of the public school follows the idea
of relativism - there is no truth. Morals and character
can not be taught because what is right for me may
not be right for you. Although the school is not
allowed to teach or encourage values, morals and
priorities, it will definitely “teach” values to your
children. Values & priorities will be encouraged by
your child’s teacher and the school environment,
even in a subtle manner. Will your child’s teacher
have the same convictions and moral values that
you as a parent have? When your child spends
over seven hours a day with a stranger as John
Gatto calls teachers, your child will absorb the
stranger’s values.

Rigid & Inflexible with Family Time

The public school environment does not prepare
children for real life situations; it prepares them to
spend most of their waking hours away from home
at a job. The public school models time away from
family in their daily & annual schedule. Most public
schools are rigid in their expectations of children’s
attendance. In fact, the schools believe they know
better than parents what your child needs. They do
not believe that parents are experts about their own
children, but strangers (teachers & administrators)
are the experts. So, time with family is really not
necessary. Schools have contributed to the break
down of the family as much as other institutions in
our society.

(c)Kerry Beck, 2007

Want to share this free report on Public Schools?
Feel free to forward it as long as you do not alter the article
in any way and you include the bio below:

———————————
Kerry Beck, author of Raising Leaders, Not Followers, encourages parents
to think outside the box as they raise their children to lead wisely.
She wants to give you a Free Report, “How to Get It All Done” at
Christian Homeschool Curriculum

He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.

Proverbs 18:13

Normally, I think about listening to my friends when I read this verse…which is a good thing.  This morning I got to thinking it is just as applicable to my family.  Think about it!

Do you listen carefully to your husband before you respond?
Before you defend yourself?
Do you listen to your children?
Or do you just rattle off without “hearing”?

Not only should we apply this verse to ourselves with our family, we should teach our children to listen before speaking so they can be wise leaders who listen to those around them.

Kerry

Christian Homeschool Curriculum

Did you put away the things you used?

If you are wondering why this is my question of the week, scroll to my article about being organized.  It’s what I wrote about in my recent email.

Kerry