Summer Blues?



Our 9 year-old son complains he doesn't have anything to do. That's because he only wants to watch the NBA, play with the playstation or the computer. Other than that, everything else to him is boring. At least that's what he thinks. I guess I have to think of things that will keep him happily busy this summer without making a dent on our budget . He has a full 2 months to "waste" and I don't like it spent in front of the tv, the computer or the playstation.



When vacation started, Jerry and I gave our kids specific tasks. Minor ones. Matt is assigned to fix their bedroom every morning. Kyle's task is to set the breakfast table. They've been doing it alright. No complaints there. Then we pray the Rosary and the Novena to St. Expeditus together. Breakfast follows, then Jerry and I leave for the office. Sometimes, Jerry would give Matt small assignments. Once, he was told to sort old paper and school notebooks where he is to discard those that are not needed and to keep those that could still be salvaged or recycled. He obliged. Then there was also once that he was told to arrange and put together all the movies, the playstation and the computer cds. He did. Of course these didn't take up much of his time.



With Kyle, there's no problem. His playmate keeps him busy. They play all sorts of kidstuff aside of course from the playstation. It's Matt that needs more diversion. If Jerry's schedule would permit it, I think it would be good too for him to bring Matt along - one form of bonding. I was glad the first time Jerry brought Matt. It was yesterday. Matt tagged along as Jerry met with a prospective buyer. Then they went to this shop that sold great knock-offs of branded rubbershoes for a fraction of the price. Matt had fun. While on the road they looked out for nice cars...typical big boys' stuff. Maybe this should be done more often. Some good places would be the old houses in Cebu that double as museums, the library or the bookstore.... Maybe Jerry could take Matt for a dip in the pool on some days... Or we could fly kites together... Or play boardgames...go biking...