Most children wait for weeks for that next school break to come.
Christmas.
President's Day.
Spring Break.
But for many families it only takes a day or two of freedom before parents start hearing that common complaint: I'm bored.
Parents are put to the test looking for things to do.
In the meantime, children revert to playing video games, watching TV, or even just sitting around.
Here are some great ideas for keeping your children busy and helping them build character while on their school breaks: Find a place for your kids to volunteer.
Granted, your child may not want to participate.
They may kick and they may scream, but at the end of the day, you might be surprised how willing they are to do it again.
Even young children can help out and learn some great lessons by volunteering at a soup kitchen or collecting trash at a state park.
Explain to your children who is being helped and why your service is so needed.
Volunteer work gives children a chance to see how lucky they are and it teaches them compassion.
Even as adults, we don't often choice to volunteer.
But don't you always feel rewarded after doing something good for those in need? Give them a project to complete.
As adults, we have lists a mile long that never get done.
Why not pass one of your own to-do's on to your children? For example, if your son has been begging you to build a skate ramp, help him find some resources online, take him to the hardware store, and give him the chance to tackle this project.
If you've been thinking about a garden, invite your children to take a crack at it first.
No, your rows may not be straight, and the seeds might not be deep enough.
But your child will feel a sense of accomplishment, and you can cross the garden off your list...
finally.
For children who need a little extra persuading, you could add these projects as bonus items on their chore charts and reward them the same way you would their regular jobs.
Help them plan a fun activity.
Who does most the work when you have a party or plan a trip? The parents, right? But during a school break, there's no reason your children can't plan and execute an activity they would enjoy.
Let them pick something: a picnic, a fishing trip, a pool party, or a sleep over.
Give them the responsibility of planning, preparing, executing, and cleaning up after their activity.
If the activity requires a lot of work, you can help your children divide up the tasks and use their chore chart to make sure everything gets done and everyone does their fair share.
Letting your children take charge of their own amusement will give them something to do, and perhaps they'll learn that even fun events take time and effort.
If you find yourself dreading the next school break, it might be because you are trying to do too much for your children.
Let them take matters into their own hands.
There is always plenty to do and you can find ways of helping your children build character while enjoying their school break with them.
Christmas.
President's Day.
Spring Break.
But for many families it only takes a day or two of freedom before parents start hearing that common complaint: I'm bored.
Parents are put to the test looking for things to do.
In the meantime, children revert to playing video games, watching TV, or even just sitting around.
Here are some great ideas for keeping your children busy and helping them build character while on their school breaks: Find a place for your kids to volunteer.
Granted, your child may not want to participate.
They may kick and they may scream, but at the end of the day, you might be surprised how willing they are to do it again.
Even young children can help out and learn some great lessons by volunteering at a soup kitchen or collecting trash at a state park.
Explain to your children who is being helped and why your service is so needed.
Volunteer work gives children a chance to see how lucky they are and it teaches them compassion.
Even as adults, we don't often choice to volunteer.
But don't you always feel rewarded after doing something good for those in need? Give them a project to complete.
As adults, we have lists a mile long that never get done.
Why not pass one of your own to-do's on to your children? For example, if your son has been begging you to build a skate ramp, help him find some resources online, take him to the hardware store, and give him the chance to tackle this project.
If you've been thinking about a garden, invite your children to take a crack at it first.
No, your rows may not be straight, and the seeds might not be deep enough.
But your child will feel a sense of accomplishment, and you can cross the garden off your list...
finally.
For children who need a little extra persuading, you could add these projects as bonus items on their chore charts and reward them the same way you would their regular jobs.
Help them plan a fun activity.
Who does most the work when you have a party or plan a trip? The parents, right? But during a school break, there's no reason your children can't plan and execute an activity they would enjoy.
Let them pick something: a picnic, a fishing trip, a pool party, or a sleep over.
Give them the responsibility of planning, preparing, executing, and cleaning up after their activity.
If the activity requires a lot of work, you can help your children divide up the tasks and use their chore chart to make sure everything gets done and everyone does their fair share.
Letting your children take charge of their own amusement will give them something to do, and perhaps they'll learn that even fun events take time and effort.
If you find yourself dreading the next school break, it might be because you are trying to do too much for your children.
Let them take matters into their own hands.
There is always plenty to do and you can find ways of helping your children build character while enjoying their school break with them.