Deciphering

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When Josh was seven (the age Carly is now), he was a different sort of kid than his sister.  She is high energy, momentum building, must-have-distractions, "When are we going swimming?" 15 times an hour asking - and we're only a couple weeks into this thing we call summer.  She's bored.  Josh used to get that way sometimes, but mostly he was just happy to have a squirt gun, some legos, or a stick to play with.  And, when he wasn't, I would send him over to Gramma Annie's for a few hours/days.  He was and continues to be mostly self-contained.

This summer I am faced with a rather large dilemma.  Carly wants to do stuff.  Lots and lots of stuff.  But, we live in the sticks.  The closest park with green grass to play on is 15 minutes away.  And after we arrive, she'll be bored and/or hot in five minutes or less.  (In other words, the payoff just ain't worth it).  She really wants to go swimming.  But that's 45 minutes away and at very specific times of the day.  And I'm just so happy not to be making that drive for classes and work right now. 

Look, I want Carly to have a fun summer.  But - I don't want to do a circus act to make it happen.  Josh didn't train me well enough for that.

Comments

Heather said…
Yes, the joys of the sticks.... I wonder if making a calendar/schedule and putting fun things for her to look forward to on it would help? That way you could reminder her to look at the calendar rather than ask you 15 times a day. And you can schedule just what works for you, rather than feeling like everyday has to be jam pakced? I don't know, good luck.
8:16 AM
Sarah said…
That is a great idea...I'm terrible about follow-through though. But, I think I can work with it!
3:38 PM
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