"I'm SOOO Bored!"

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
"I'm SOOO Bored!"
2
Wed, 06-28-2006 - 11:45am

Okay my daughter has been out of school for one week, finally finished exams and it has already started... "Mom, I'm SOOO bored!".

Yup, I'm at work and I get regular communications from her either by phone or instant message on her constant state of boredom. Shes 14 going on 15 so she hasn't got a summer job or anything this year. I've gotten her a seasons pass to a nearby amusement park but during the work week her and her friends have no one to get them there (public transportation is terrible in this area). So she's always bored, bored, bored.

I've suggested:

- house cleaning: "Yeah, right mom, I don't think so...." ;
- going to a movie with her friends: "Nothing good at the theatres..." ;
- getting together at a friends house to watch DVD's or something: "Too lazy and can't come";
- going to the park: "Too hot";
- playing with her younger brother: "All he wants to do is play video games"
- going to a fitness class: "No one will come with me..."

Got to the point today where I told her I GIVE UP! She has a computer, a huge collection of books and music, her friends are all within a five minute stroll down the block, park nearby, mall with movie theaters within 15 minute walk, and yet she cannot conceive of any way to keep busy and entertain herself.

Next summer she's getting a job FOR SURE....

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Wed, 06-28-2006 - 12:08pm

Ohhhh, I'm right there with ya. Same situation going on here with my DD, also 14 -- but no friends anywhere around here. Two weekends in a row I drove her one-hour+ to friends' houses for sleepovers. Yesterday the boredom really set in. I tried all the things you did, even suggested she call someone to come over -- we have a pool, spa, etc. and I'd go get them. NOPE! Didn't want to be bothered. Okay then, I guess she can just be bored!

Thankfully, we are in pack-up and get ready for vacation mode today. Hopefully, the trip will be good fun. And she has ALL sorts of summer homework to get done ...

I don't remember my mother ever trying to keep me entertained during the summer. If I didn't take the initiative or find something to do, well then, I didn't do anything. I'm kinda getting into that mode here myself now.

 

 

 

Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 06-28-2006 - 1:43pm

I know what you mean....dd16 CAN get a job! She HAD a job at dunkin donuts but they don't have many hours, if any, for her. She was offered a job at a local pharmacy but not till August!! She sleeps till noon and then slugs around all afternoon. I leave her lists of chores each day and for each day she doesn't complete, she loses an evening out. Which, in the grand scheme of things only makes US more miserable because she is ALWAYS around. lol

Seriously, it's been raining non-stop here for weeks and so the pool is basically out, it's just not sunny or hot enough to justify swimming. We live far far away from all her friends except one, but she works all day. She does some of the chores I leave her, but I really hate for her summer memories to be of her doing chores all the time! On the other hand, since she's home and I work full time, she could be doing them...H is a firm believer in enslaving our kids when they are home. DD18 has a full time job this summer, so she isn't around to give dd16 rides anywhere. I agree, it stinks and I hate hearing "I'm so bored. My life is so boring".

Well, dd16 basically solved the problem for July anyway = she is going to summer school. When she is released from that on July 26th, she can go to work at the pharmacy! Hahah.

In the meantime, I screen all my calls at work and hide myself on line...just kidding. I actually sometimes go home at lunch and bring her back to my office to do filing. Boring too, but at least she's keeping busy.