The big "F" word.


For the past 2 1/2 years, this is what at least half- if not more- of our weekend looks like {aka- homework}...


On weekends when I, also have a lot to do, it gets a bit challenging to incorporate "fun" into the mix.  The kids get up each morning and ask, "What are we going to DO today???"  In my mind, I reply- "NOTHING!!!" ... or "Where are we going to GO today???"  ..."NOWHERE!!!"  My intention is not literally to do nothing or go nowhere...  But to them- returning a shirt, painting my {very scary looking} nails, getting the car washed, organizing the garage, ...... is essentially Nothing and Nowhere.

But no matter how busy I am- or he is... I refuse to let the television, or the Wii serve as the entertainment director/babysitter.  Believe me- I don't see it as my sole responsibility to "entertain" them.  I'm all about letting them create their own fun.  There's plenty of Christmas/birthday gifts that have been merely touched and would surely keep them busy {& happy} for hours.  There's bikes & skateboards & scooters... & gorgeous "summer" weather to boot.  Not to mention, a very playful dog who is always up for company- & an intense game of fetch.

Of course their questions (or interrogations, rather) are partially in the hopes of squeezing an answer outta me- such as, "We're going to DISNEYLAND!!" or "I'm going to let you play ALL of the video games you want... and eat ALL of the candy you want!!"  But I also recognize that sometimes "fun" is not FUN if not shared with others...

And I am incredibly honored to be included in their weekend dreams.  Plus, I need a little fun in my life too, right?

So... I replied, WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A FORT!!!


And we did.

  
And it was sure FUN =).
...

*a must read article (via Mary), if you, too, are {or once were} into fort-makin'.
                                      
Posted 4/23/2012
Labels: , ,

10 comments:

  1. MaryApril 23, 2012 at 10:49 AM

    Ahhhh....I love it! I know what you mean. We shouldn't have to be social directors all the time. Kids can make their own fun, but then we remember that they want to spend time and play with us too. It's hard to balance it all. Forts are good memory-makers for sure.

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  2. Kitchen BelleiciousApril 23, 2012 at 11:42 AM

    love the fort idea! I did the same for Grant one rainy day- although it didn't keep his attention quite long enough! I know what you mean though about doing and going. Grant is only 3 but he wants to go and do and sometimes I just can't and i feel guilty but at the same time there are things a mom has to get done- but there is always a time and a place for fort making:)

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  3. katie//salt+pineApril 23, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    I loved this post! My kids do exactly the same thing; you really made me laugh with the responses the kids are hoping for. So true. :)

    Did they let you read for a bit once you guys were in the fort? *That*, my friend, is the total bonus to fort making!

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  4. LonestarcasieApril 23, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    I am all about putting a sheet over the dinner table to make a fort. Hours of fun and little kid privacy. It does sometimes makes eating interesting when the kids refuse to come out. :)

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  5. About Last WeekendApril 24, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    You're so right - you've got to let them make their own fun! Sometimes my kids just have to break through the boredom barrier and then they get really inventive!

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  6. Danielle (elleinadspir)April 24, 2012 at 10:22 AM

    I have to do this with B. I used to LOVE making sheet forts. Thanks for the reminder.

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  7. domestic dishApril 24, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    This is so true. I feel like kids (mine too at age 5/2) have such hight expectations! I guess it may be my fault? Fort making is the answer 9 out of 10 times. And I love all of the books being used :)

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  8. stephanie.April 25, 2012 at 8:04 AM

    some of my favorite memories from childhood include building a fort with my older brother. =) xoxo

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  9. KarenApril 27, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    So funny to read this... I was also building a fort for my two last Saturday morning! It stopped the "What are we going to do/ Where are we going to go" questions for a couple of hours. :)

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  10. claire @ a peachtree city lifeMay 1, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    forts were the best growing up! i don't have kids yet but i can sympathize at least with the feeling of - i just want to do nothing!! it seems like you all always have fun things going on :)

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