SAHM And Long Summer Days with Kids!

my oldest is 8 and has always been very good about playing and keeping himself busy my youngest is 3 and is getting there. I won't send them outside by themselves just because my 3 year old will find trouble but I am able to sit down in the shade and read a book while they are playing outdoors. I take them swimming, we go for 2 walks a day with the dogs, I try to keep them as busy as possible so that they are tired by the time bedtime roles around. They will play without bothering me if I tell them I need to clean this or that.

Try going to your library at least once a week - you are too late now to do their reading program but ours offers free craft sessions and evening entertainments thru the Summer as well as the reading program. then when you are home they can read the books they pick up as a bonus!

I think that stay at home days are good; but sometimes the kids need a little "framework" of choices to go along with that; such as making it a "water day" with the pool, slip n slide and water guns; or making it "baking day" and make cookies and bread; or maybe its "think about others" day and create cards with glitter and glue and markers to sent to grandmas and grandpas.
I think as the kids get older, there is more "running" involved and more planning. I used to love vacation bible school because it was only 1/2 days but gave us something to fill some of the hours without full long days.
Also, its getting near the end of summer when maybe everyone is beginning to look for some routine back in their lives. Good luck. You're doing a good job. Sometimes its just hard.

I totally felt the same way. My 10 year old started school last Wednesday and my 2 1/2 yr old started preschool today. There was glorious silence in my house today. I did luck out in that my boys played with each other for part of the day. I also am able to go in another room and my 10 year old can occupy the 2 year old for a while. We had a playdate once a week for the youngest. Do you have a gym membership with an attached playcare? When I was feeling over stimulated I would drop them off for $6 and hr and work out. Could you take them swimming somewhere with a kiddie pool/fountain?

Its the age for one ask them what they want to do.

I didn't do any summer camps this year and my kids said this is the best summer they can remember. I have taken them to the beach to find shells, make sandcastles and relax and watch the waves. We go to the park twice a week to do any of the following: fly kites, play volleyball/badmitton (we bring and set up our own net and with volleyball we make new friends and invite them to play), kick a soccer ball around, toss a football (they are girls LOL), swings, slides & monkey bars, roller skates, scooters, skateboards & bikes. We pack a lunch and have a picnic in the shade. At the local playground, they go in the water sprinkler, play handball and basketball. One local movie theater has free family movie day on Tuesdays. We've done CHuck E Cheese, free library programs, visited a zoo and once every other week invited a friend over to swim or play. We even go for long walks with the dog and talk. On rainy days, we play board games, Wii, paint nails and style our hair, bake and I let them help me cook everything on those days lol! On stormy rainy nights we get our blankets/sleeping bags and make popcorn and watch a movie or we take turns reading a story. Our newest thing we just started this week....jogging at the school track together or timing each other as we jog. I hope this helps (well, except for nails & hair part---I'm guessing you have boys).

Maybe it is their ages. My 2 and 5 year old girls have been playing together without me for the past 4 hours today. My cousin's kids are 6 (girl) and 7 (boy), and do not do that. I'd make them help with a solution. You should not have to entertain them on an "at-home" day. Maybe sit down with them and have them make a list of 10 things they can do when they're bored, then have them choose something to do, either together or separate.

I feel your pain! , I have 3 kids ages 7 , 4 1/2 and 2 , and yes the younger ones are easier to entertain. My eldest will go outside for 5 mins and is then back again. I don't go out everyday , som days I do need to be at home and get stuff done , but I do try and take them to the park (one with a spray area is their preference) , or we try and schedule a playdate at least once/week with friends. I also put my elder 2 in a week of camp , everyday for 1 full week , and I think next year I may try and do 2 weeks but with a break in between. Your not the only one that feels this way , the summer break is a very long time to entertain your kids , and there is only so many times you can take them somewhere before they say it's boring!....still only 4 weeks to go lol

I am a SAHM, and had both my kids home, for a certain period after my daughter's summer program ended and until she started school.

I did things with them, but also, they had independent play too. I simply told them, I have things to do too, things around the house, and I cannot entertain them every single minute. It is the routine... that you do, that they will realize.
And, if my kids get 'bored'... well, that is good. Being 'bored' also forces them to get creative and problem-solve... I tell them that. I ENCOURAGE them to think of things... and they do. On their own. It take practice.

My kids are almost 4 years old, and 7.5
I have a routine with them... .daily. They know it.
I also teach them 'responsibility' and what that is... and that they 'help' in the house too, and it is not always 'playing' with Mommy being the entertainment center.

I know its tiring... but you can do it.
Verbalize, the day to them, what is going on, what they can do, what you need to do, and the routine... that is what I do with my kids. They understand.

BOTH my kids also nap... my eldest when there is no school, and my youngest every afternoon. It is a routine. They get tired, they nap. Otherwise, they are fussy and over-tired.

All the best,
Susan

Stay at home days are good... in fact being home most of the time is good. Children do not need to be constantly stimulated. They have imaginations that need to be developed. You don't develop a child's imagination by constantly giving her things to do. My mother said,"If you complain about being bored, I will make sure you are not bored." The list of things she would have us do were things like cleaning, organizing, folding laundry... It was an easy solution, which would a kid rather do, entertain themselves or chores? We weren't allowed to watch a lot of tv either, so we played outside in the dirt, played with our dolls, colored pictures, read books, and used our imaginations.
One thing I might suggest is to use a timer. Set it for 30 minutes and tell your children to entertain themselves until the timer goes off and then you will sit and read 3 books with them. Then gradually increase the time they play alone.
Good luck!!!