I would love it if one of them would just sit down and write in their journal off their own bat, or just because they enjoy it.
I also need to play more. I find it hard to play with them. There is always something that needs to be done or I just need a break from them, to escape into my own head.....
Another brainwave I had to see us through the summer holidays is Boredom draws. I put together som travel bags with age appropriate activities, some were puzzles, some coloring, some work - Maths and literature. I visited the Lakeshore learning store and got a couple of books that they either use in school or that seemed fun. I broke up the pages and scanned them so i can print out a bunch of pages a d then use them again when the next of my children is at that level. I am trying to wean them off tv, or at least dramatically cut back. I figure if they are ever going to make something of themselves it would be good for them not to be too dependent on tv. I think I was too dependent on tv, even though I didn't have tv on demand. It shaped my life so much and it sucked up so much time. I think it has it's place and the youngest boy has learned a lot from watching shows like the Kratt brothers or Diego. I want to encourage them to learn how to deal with their own boredom, to find something to do and not just switch on the tv. There is nothing wrong with TV, its great when they are getting too wound up and are fighting, or if they are tired, just winding down in front of tv is a good thing to be able to do, but I do think it stunts their imagination - I have seen this first hand, when I find the inner strength to be able to switch TV off and deal with the consequences. There is whining and begging, but once I have stopped all that (brum, chish - that was a drum roll and a cymbal FYI), they settle down to imaginative play. And then I know it is worth it.
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