Miss Hannigan's solution to "I'm boredddd!"

A few summers ago, my kids walked around complaining, “משעמם ליייייי" (I'm bored) on repeat to the point that they made up a song using just those words. 

(Relate much?) 

We had a trip planned to stay with my in-laws for a few days, and we knew that they would be showered with attention and spoiled. So we made one rule during our stay there: No one was allowed to say: “משעמם לי"! 

And that was the summer they learnt how to say "I'm bored" in English!🤦

After half laughing, half being annoyed, I did learn that sometimes it’s alright for kids to be bored. 

Boredom is what gives kids the opportunity to be creative and entertain themselves. It creates the space for imagination. (Admittedly, there will be some whining and tantrums before they go into that space.)

Giving kids the space to be present is a reminder that we as mothers also need space for ourselves. We have a voice in our heads that tells us to push through exhaustion, meet everyone else's needs, and tell ourselves we'll rest after things calm down. 

Be real, things will never ‘calm down’ because there will always be something or someone that needs our attention.  Even as I am literally writing this email, my kids are all around me with their ‘imma imma imma’ every few minutes.

 

Even Miss Hannigan knew things would never ‘calm down’! 

Space is something that you need to take for yourself, not wait and hope that it will magically appear. Your mental and emotional battery doesn’t have to reach 0% before you recharge it.  You don't need to wait until you are completely burnt out before taking space for yourself. Think of it as an energy buffer zone that’ll help keep you sane this summer.

As the expression goes, ‘Take a chill pill’. Literally. Chillllll and breatheee. 

Expect there will be fun days, slow days, overwhelming days, lazy days, laughter-filled days, and days where everyone gets on each other's nerves….

…and you’ll be sitting outside with your face in the sun, taking space for yourself and just breathing.