Comments on: To Do List For the Bored and Sullen

By: Sarah Gervais

Sarah Gervais — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 03:14:38 +0000

These are great ideas for anyone suffering from the winter-too cold outside to feel your toes-blues. Thanks for sharing!

By: benny

benny — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:22:48 +0000

Really funny! Not to metion the kitty picture at the begining is SUPER cute!

By: Dr. Ruth

Dr. Ruth — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:43:25 +0000

I have them run laps outside in the cul-de-sac. We also did Wii Family Olympics – so, while still on the video game, it had to be active, and we kept score and gave medals – sad to say that hula hooping is the only event where Mommy medalled

By: jennifer

jennifer — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:34:42 +0000

Getting the boys OUTSIDE always worked wonders. When they were little, we would go to playgrounds. When they were older, we’d go to the nearest creek, where rock-throwing provided hours of entertainment. Now, having everyone go on a hike tends to defuse boredom and squabbling. Malcolm is currently angry about the snow, not because of shoveling, but because it prevents him from longboarding.

By: Steftac

Steftac — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:22:32 +0000

Girls suffer much more infrequently from VGO, however they may contract an equally devastating and more difficult condition called TTF ( trigger texting finger). TTF is highly contagious and more difficult to treat as the girls will stash the cell phone in their “cami- bra”( which she doesn’t need , much like the cell phone in question here) while a detox baking session is in session , causing an un-nerving buzzing followed by a reactionary ” No you didn’t bring that cell in here after I told you to leave it upstairs!” and the diva-esque response ” YOU HATE ME !” (with the hair tossed to the side , getting some stuck on the lip-gloss). TTF is even further exacerbated by the addition of the slim Ipod touch “text fo’ free” app. Due to the contamination of peers, TTF, while seemingly controllable, will be brought on at all hours of the night and usually contains an unattractive human in a digital dance loop or a piece of fruit cartooned with a caption like “orange you glad I like you?”. Giggling and rapid fire finger action will soon follow, usually at 11 pm. This can be confirmed by peeking into the room of the female, who has seemingly mastered the art of fake sleeping,only to find the tell tale glow from beneath the covers. This is a sure sign that the virus has reached peak. The only known remedy is to confiscate all textable devices, however the result of this action will be incessant whining, crying , tantrums, begging , bargaining, and ultimately..the parental break down and shameful surrender.
And to think .. she is only five. ( just kiddin!)

By: Patti

Patti — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:17:47 +0000

It only works once, but I have the brothers scour the house for old video games, old devices and then have them trade them in at a resale site (we use bestbuy.com) The hunt, cataloging of items, and ensuing debate over whether or not something should be included can take several hours! The only downside is the wait for the gift cards in the mail. . . .

By: Celina

Celina — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:01:02 +0000

Great activities. We suffer from the same syndrome here and I have a girl who is 6. Though instead of Xbox shooter games it is currently online computer games.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:16:00 +0000

Great ideas! But SO discouraging to know that Abra will never be able to entertain herself without my help ( at four months this process has already begun). I was delighted to know that you rearranged your furniture as a childhood past time: me too! My mom even let me paint junky pieces of old furniture. If I ever told her i was bored she would promptly suggest I clean out the car or give the dogs a bath. I usually ran for a book fairly quickly, fearing the alternative.