"Whatever Happened to Summer Luvin'?

Views: 1,613
Added: Thu. Jun 18, 2009 1:56pm
Posted in: Family

• » print
• » report
• » email

          Have you ever had one of those moments where somebody said something to you and it just didn’t process?  I mean, you understood the sentence; it was correct in grammar and style…it made sense and, yet, it didn’t make sense either.  You know, one of those comments where your initial reaction is to tilt your head to one side, scrunch up your forehead in a symbolic gesture that means, “What?” “Are you kidding?” “Did you really just say that?”  and “Are you a total freak?” all rolled up into one.

          That happened to me several times at the end of this school year.

          Along with being a mental health counselor and writer, I have the privilege of teaching 8^th grade history.  Yes…I’m one of THOOOOOSE.  You know, I’m guardian of my own universe (called a classroom), master of my domain (until the kids arrive), a potter attempting to shape the clay that enters my classroom (although I never knew “clay” could be so consistently tardy).  Most school years end with basically the same things happening:  the students that you thought hated you want you to sign their yearbook, kids regress into an even more primitive level of anarchy, the girls weep, the boys scramble to hug all the girls who are weeping…and the beat goes on.

          Yet, this year an alarming phenomenon occurred.  I had several students comment on how they wish school was not ending and how they hated summers because summer was so boring.

 

(Take a short moment here to remember the “look” described in the beginning of this article)

 

          Truly, I was dumbfounded by the statements.  In fact, “tongue-hitting-the-floor” type dumbfounded.  Take away the fact that the last day of the school year is, for most teachers I know, a day that is just below the second-coming of Christ in terms of significance.  Let’s forget that most teachers see the heavens open and hear the “Hallelujah Chorus” triumphantly playing in their heads as the students depart for the final time (even though we love them dearly).  Let’s just take all that away from this……and I’m still surprised. 

          As I stretch my memory back (wayyyyy back) to my school years, none of this computes for me.  I remember counting the days until school was out and summer had arrived.  It was wonderful.  Exhilarating.  What we had all been waiting for.  For my little group of hellions summer was a time of endless play and limitless fun.  I would often leave home and not come back until the streetlights hummed and the crickets were chirping.  Summer was about family vacations, church camp, swimming at the public pool, and riding your bike on countless adventures.  There was no pressure inflicted by schoolwork, no deadlines, and far less social pressure.  It was about playing baseball and grilling out.  It was….fun.

          What happened?  Why are kids entering summer break begrudgingly?

Some humble opinions:

1.     Limited Freedom:  In this day and age parents are, unfortunately, wary of allowing their kids to run around outside like my generation did.  In many ways, it’s understandable.  The media is filled with stories of the horrible things that some people do with children.  Yet, these limits certainly contributed to pent-up energy and boredom.  After all, you can only beat “Call of Duty” so many times before it gets old.

2.    Pseudo-relationships online:  Many kids have less real-life relationships nowadays and more that are online (i.e. Xbox Live).  This is great, within limits, but nothing can replace the physical interaction of really being with your friends—seeing their facial expressions, body language and sharing real-life adventures together.  Whether you play sports, go camping, ride bikes, or whatever.  Online gaming is great but cannot replace the real thing.

3.    Economy pressures:  Many families have fewer funds to put towards activities and vacations.  Combine this dynamic with that fact that both parents are often working more than ever and there is a real disconnect in family relationships.  Many families are so distant that there is little fun in the household which is truly tragic.  Friends are wonderful but kids still need a strong bond with their families, even if they won’t admit it.

There are many other variables that contribute to this “boredom” issue.  We just don’t have space to cover them at this time.  However, here are some ideas for curing summer boredom:

 

1.     Get out!  Make friends in your neighborhood.  They are out there, lurking in their own air-conditioned houses, just as many of you.  J  Get out there and meet them.  You might find that there are lots of cool new friends that can help your summer become exciting, rather than mundane.

2.    Be active:  Staying in the house, incessantly playing video games or watching TV, all day long, every day, ad nauseum…….well, all it does is cause a build-up of stored energy that must be released.  Don’t settle for this.  Get up and be active.  Exercise makes you feel better all over and helps you to rest better, look better, get stronger, and allows you to build confidence.

3.    Pour yourself into a hobby:  Whether it is music, sports, working out, reading, writing, etc….find something you like and invest in it.  Get better at it.  Collect more of it.  Expand your knowledge of it.  Use the summer to move forward and upward in whatever it is that you like.

4.    Join something you can look forward to:  Martial Arts, sports teams, dance studios, YMCA, summer camps and the list goes on.  It really helps to combat boredom when you have activities to look forward to.

5.    Schedule family time:  Even if you don’t ever leave town, make quality family time a priority.  ALL of you need this.

6.    Organize several game nights:  It could be a video game tournament at your house or a night of playing cards, laughing and acting crazy.  Take the lead and get your friends together often. 

The key is to NOT get caught up in moping around the house, munching on junk food and spending 8 hours on Xbox…at least, not every day.  Take the initiative to add lots of activities and relationships.  Then, maybe next May you’ll be counting down the days until school is over. 

Bring back the Summer Luvin’!!!

 

 

Aaron Welch is a licensed mental health counselor and found of Legacy Counseling Services in Central Florida.  He strives to fight for the hearts of his clients and empowers them to build their own legacy.  For more information on Aaron or Legacy, check out www.legacycounselingservices.org