Let your children's imaginations run loose

Summer is upon us! The kids are wrapping up school and within a couple of hours they will be complaining that they are bored. 
I am all for summer camps; music camp, basketball camp, football camp, soccer camp and the list could fill this page. I am all for camps. My children have done their fair share of camps, but I do want to encourage us parents not to sign our children up for camps because we don’t know what else to do with them. I do realize that many families really struggle with caring for their children during the summer since all of the adults in the home are working. The following advice does not necessarily apply to you.
In my opinion, it is OK for children to be bored. I can’t count how often something like the following occurred in my home. Child, “Dad I’m bored.” Dad, “Read a book.” Two minutes later child says, “Dad I’m bored.” Dad, “I am not your PlayStation.” Two minutes later that child has made up a game and is playing.
Our children have so much of their lives structured. Again, in my opinion, too much is structured. It is in the “nothingness” that children can let their imaginations loose. Children can make up a game and solve the disputes that will invariably arise once they start playing. This is an important skill for them to hone. 
My two children who are still at home are signed up for some summer activities or camps. Our choice to sign them up was predicated on us wanting a particular skill (guitar, driving, basketball to be specific). Parents, sign your kids up for camps, but do it for the specific purpose of gaining a skill or enjoying particular activities.
— Pat Arensberg is the Director of the Office for Evangelization and Family Life. Email him at [email protected] 
For more information concerning the events of this office, visit us at mobilefaithformation.org.