Surviving the first few days of summer break

I should write a survivor’s guide for all the parents out there who are already pulling out their hair now that school has ended.

I have survived many things and have determined that I shall prevail this summer as well.

The last day of school was the calm before the storm. As my teens expressed relief that the school year was over, I prepared for the onslaught of what I call ’I'm bored-itis’.

I didn’t expect it to start just one day after school ended … but I was armed and ready for battle.

As I sat working at my desk, it started with a few phone calls from my daughter.

“I’m bored,” she said on the first call.

“Now, I’m really bored,” she said on the second call, following these words with a huge sigh.

“This is horrible! I’m sooo bored!,” she said on the third call.

Three strikes and you are out.

Never mind that much time and attention has been spent on coordinating a summer full of activities. Never mind that beginning next week she has more than enough commitments  that will last well into August. Never mind that she’ll be begging me for a few hours to simply do nothing come July.

No, ‘I’m bored-itis’ had truly set in.

At the ready, I pulled out my secret weapon. Three words that are guaranteed to get rid of that summer plague everytime:

“Clean your room!,” I told her.

Silence.

More silence.

“Hello?,” I said, wondering if she had dropped the phone.

“Guess I’ll let you go,” she mumbled.

“Sure! … And uh don’t forget to clean your room.”

Works every time.

– Carla

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