When I was a kid (albeit in a small town), we — myself and the neighbor kids — were kicked out the house and told to go out and play. I have to admit that such freelance behavior did result in stitches once and a broken arm. But I don’t recall being bored — except when I watched the soaps and “Queen for a Day” on daytime TeeVee.
Free activities were golden; my parents were too poor to have 4 kids participate in all these. We had to choose 1; swim lessons are still paying off, 70 years later.
My wife and I are sponsoring 4 paid internships, one day per week, rotating to our 4 granddaughters aged 7 to 15.
Internships are 1/2 days at Grandma’s (our) house through the summer doing odd chores in gardening, housekeeping, baking, etc., Each girl submitted a résumé and set their pay rate. And, of course, they get to pick the menu for meals in Grandma’s kitchen for the days they intern.
The girls are excited. We can’t wait. Great help in exchange for a learning education from Grandma and Gramps.
We are also hoping they will find time from their busy sports, camps, travel, and assorted summer vacation parties.
Wow…..My parents couldn’t afford all those things for myself & my sister…..I would’ve given my right arm just to go to a day camp,let alone sleep-over camp…..we spent almost all summer outside,playing w/our friends,making up games,using our imagination…..something kids don’t have anymore,sorry to say……..
Dangerguy 29 days ago
I am all for keeping kids busy, but they need some time relatively free from adult monitoring to structure their own play.
A# 466 29 days ago
When I was a kid (albeit in a small town), we — myself and the neighbor kids — were kicked out the house and told to go out and play. I have to admit that such freelance behavior did result in stitches once and a broken arm. But I don’t recall being bored — except when I watched the soaps and “Queen for a Day” on daytime TeeVee.
pamela welch Premium Member 29 days ago
Free activities were golden; my parents were too poor to have 4 kids participate in all these. We had to choose 1; swim lessons are still paying off, 70 years later.
Retrac Premium Member 29 days ago
My wife and I are sponsoring 4 paid internships, one day per week, rotating to our 4 granddaughters aged 7 to 15.
Internships are 1/2 days at Grandma’s (our) house through the summer doing odd chores in gardening, housekeeping, baking, etc., Each girl submitted a résumé and set their pay rate. And, of course, they get to pick the menu for meals in Grandma’s kitchen for the days they intern.
The girls are excited. We can’t wait. Great help in exchange for a learning education from Grandma and Gramps.
We are also hoping they will find time from their busy sports, camps, travel, and assorted summer vacation parties.
ragsarooni Premium Member 29 days ago
Wow…..My parents couldn’t afford all those things for myself & my sister…..I would’ve given my right arm just to go to a day camp,let alone sleep-over camp…..we spent almost all summer outside,playing w/our friends,making up games,using our imagination…..something kids don’t have anymore,sorry to say……..
cracker65 28 days ago
Children aren’t allowed to be Children anymore. All the sports leagues like everything else in our society is profit driven.