A few absolute “givens” of life as a mom during the Summer: Lots of outdoor fun; a freezer well-stocked with yogurt squeezables, ice cream, and/or popsicles; extra kids running in and out; bottles and bottles of sunscreen; added “beach towel” laundry loads; and the always-dreaded yet completely anticipated “Mom, I’m bored!” exclamations.

The inevitable whine of the “I’m b-o-o-o-r-e-d…” complaint occurred unusually early at our house this summer. It came from my older daughter (of course, under the ever-watchful eye of my younger daughter, taking it all in) before school was even formally over, on a final half-day.

Normally, this behavior would have taken about a millisecond to get under my skin, but not this time.

This summer, I was prepared.

Upon the submission of the first “There’s nothing to do” grievance, I calmly replied that our first “official” rule of summer was that any “I’m boreds” would be my signal that someone needed something to do right away, to end their suffering. () I would have a full list of chores on-hand, and be ready and willing to dole out whatever chore I chose, since an “I’m bored” would immediately eliminate the complainer’s option of choosing, bartering, or otherwise discussing the available chore options. I told my daughter, whose eyebrows were raised as she tried to completely take in my quick yet casual reply, that since this was her first time hearing of the new rule, she could choose to go find something else to do as a one-time freebie, or I’d be happy to let her know her To-Do item.

Needless to say, off she went, with an “I’ll take the freebie” and “My Mom’s a little crazy” half-grin on her face, while her little sis wasn’t far behind (probably thinking that she best avoid any potential residual chore-delegating)! And that was that – not a single “I’m bored” whine has echoed through our halls since.

Did I actually have a pre-made To-Do list especially for “I’m bored” delegation? No. But, I am 1000% confident that I’ll be able to whip something up on the fly should the need arise over the course of the coming summer weeks! I know my kids share that same confidence in my abilities, so I am expecting a pretty “I’m bored”-less summer! Sometimes its extra-fun being Mom!!