Because trouble comes in all sizes.
The start of Autumn does not mean the end of play outside. Children of all ages charge the air with palpable excitement. In many respects, Fall represents the best season of the year in the Northeastern part of the United States.
Overheard conversation during breakfast:
8yo: Yeah, it’s fun!
6yo: I do too but I don’t like getting cold.
8yo: Me neither.
6yo: I wish snow was warm.
8yo: Yeah, that’d be cool.
Little known fact: Time moves at the pace it wants to move whether one is having fun or not. Consider Winter break for example. Here in the United States, we are collectively in the midst of a long school mandated kids centric “vacation”. Days and night have become a blur. Ask any parent of young elementary school aged children what day it is I suspect you’ll receive a long blank stare followed by a pained groan with muttered expletives. Don’t get me wrong. I love my children and countless millions of parents love theirs as well. But our collective cup hath runneth over. The kids need to go back to school now.
Overheard conversation on the way to the store:
8yo: Yeah. What kind of animal would you be?
6yo: Um…a monkey because they’re fun.
8yo: I’d be a giraffe so I could hula hoop with my neck.
Overheard on a recent vacation road trip:
5yo: Um…Kung Fu Panda.
7yo: Why?!!
5yo: ‘Cause he’s so cute.
7yo: That makes no sense.
In the past decade, Summer G-rated movies geared towards kids ages 10 and under have become alarmingly scarce. Consider this year’s offerings, namely, “Maleficent” and “How to Train Your Dragon 2”, both highly entertaining stories, yet each movie has a PG rating based on assorted criteria such as use of language, violence, and sexual content. In other words, parents should expect to be fielding a boatload of questions from their children while viewing each film. An unfortunate situation since these movies have been marketed to young kids yet are not necessarily appropriate for them.
Conversation at the park at sunset:
Dad: Yes. Lots of animals.
5yo: Like what?
Dad: Like raccoons.
5yo: Oh…how about coyotes?
Dad: Yup, those too.
5yo: If we saw one here in the park would you protect me?
Dad: Definitely.
5yo: Oh good. If it tries to eat you I can run to the car.
In general, being an adult means taking on responsibility. It also includes adhering to a certain level of appropriate behavior at home and in public. Kids, on the other hand, are blank slates. Decorum? Nope. Rules? No thanks. Fun? Yes please and keep it coming. They thrive on new experiences and revel in the joy of it all. Freedom baby. Pure unADULTerated freedom. That’s their credo. Little kids are like natural born hippies. Don’t believe me? Check out my list of 5 ways that prove it.
Here’s the scenario. The kids are off from school for Winter Break. All the “must have” Christmas presents have been opened, played with and inexplicably no longer of interest to your children. The weather outside is just too cold for hours of active play. The precocious little buggers direct their attention towards you. With wide-eyed intensity they exclaim “WE”RE BORED!” Sensing all is lost, you unleash a primal scream in your mind. But not to worry friends. We’ve got some Crafting ideas to save the day.