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JSchaaf
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| Posted: Oct 14 2009 at 11:26am | IP Logged
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We are in a cycle of WAY too much TV and computer time. So we've quit cold turkey and now my girls (10, 9 and 7) can't find anything to do! All our toys are "too babyish" now. Anyone have a list of suggestions for what these girls can occupy themselves with?
Feeling quite crazed,
Jennifer
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folklaur
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| Posted: Oct 14 2009 at 11:30am | IP Logged
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no ideas, but watching this thread....
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 14 2009 at 11:42am | IP Logged
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My mom always offered us chores to do if we claimed to be bored.. we always managed to find other things to do 
From what I understand, when you take away tv or various other screen time that keeps kids entertained, you will go through a period of being "bored" until they refind the way of entertaining themselves. That being bored is the process by which they will refind that and you shouldn't jump in to replace the tv by entertaining them yourself.
BUT you might want to stat introducing some hand craft types of things. They're a good age to learn crochet or knitting or embroidery or general sewing or cooking or anything like that.
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KackyK
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| Posted: Oct 14 2009 at 11:46am | IP Logged
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We did the "you want to watch a story?" well then "make a story". Those ages are great ones for doing an impromptu skit. Even have them act out the shows they are missing...make up their own stories with their favorite characters. Presumably, if they like this, they don't always use those tv characters
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allegiance_mom
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| Posted: Oct 14 2009 at 11:49am | IP Logged
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Reading books for pleasure
Crocheting or knitting or sewing
Card-making for upcoming birthdays etc.
Scrapbooking
Photography
Journaling
Playing in the yard
Getting gardens ready for winter
Cooking or baking
Nature walks, or just walking for fun or errands (safely)
Trips to adoration, library, park
Put on a play
Start a collection (stamps and rocks are favorites here)
Learn to draw or do calligraphy
Play or learn a musical instrument
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allegiance_mom
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| Posted: Oct 14 2009 at 11:50am | IP Logged
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Oh, forgot the best one:
Since their toys are too babyish by their own admission, have them clean out their toy area and get the toys cleaned and sorted to donate.
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Allegiance Mom in NY
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Oct 14 2009 at 11:56am | IP Logged
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A few years ago the kids and I all got together and brainstormed a huge list of things to do, inside or outside. We actually walked through the entire house, to make sure we didn't forget anything. Everything from "sock slide" on the kitchen floor, to read a story to the toddler, to build with Legos, to make a necklace with beads, to practice the piano, to make up a song, etc. was included.) Then we divided them into categories. I think we had about 6 categories (with a various number of activities in each, usually 8-10!). Then I told the kids that they had to choose something to do from each category, every day, before they were aloud to tell me they were bored. They LOVED it and so did I! As a matter of fact my dd (now 10) was just talking about that and thinks we should do it again. The initial investment of sitting down with the kids and brainstorming (when everyone is in a good mood!) and making up the chart was well worth it. No more whiney kids saying they were bored. And the best part - they often worked together and it stopped (some of) the bickering!
I think I'll go get them together and we'll do this all over again!
Thanks for bringing this up Jennifer!!
Editing to add, I'm adding the above ideas to our list! Wonderful!
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Oct 14 2009 at 11:59am | IP Logged
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My girls play dress-up, they love silks. They like to knit and weave. They still play barbies, my little pony and doll house.
Other ideas:
playdough (even I get into this sometimes)
baking
tea parties
origami
reading
letter writing
legos/kapla
When they play on the computer, it is really a group activity. They like typing, jumpstart, age of mythology, little bear. They all pile on the chair together and play the game. I like it because they are still interacting and working together.
The girls are 9,7,6, and 3.
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Bridget
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| Posted: Oct 14 2009 at 12:28pm | IP Logged
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Lots of good ideas here! I promise you will be amazed at the difference in only a couple of days!
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Maddie
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It's fall! Can they rake your leaves? I never expected my leaves to actually get rakes as the children always wound up making piles to play in rather then burn.
Maybe buy something new for the backyard to get them out there,
this is one of our favorites
Maybe start your Christmas crafts early? Halloween? Thanksgiving crafts?
Ruth had that wonderful pumpkin pie play dough last year, I'm planning on making some today for my little guys, as soon as Veggie Tales is over... 
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JSchaaf
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| Posted: Oct 14 2009 at 10:23pm | IP Logged
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allegiance_mom wrote:
Oh, forgot the best one:
Since their toys are too babyish by their own admission, have them clean out their toy area and get the toys cleaned and sorted to donate. |
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Oh, this is GOOD! First time I hear "I'm bored" tomorrow this will be my suggestion!
Jennifer
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JSchaaf
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| Posted: Oct 14 2009 at 10:27pm | IP Logged
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Thanks so much! I was just SO frazzled today. I've written down all your ideas and will take them to "committee" tomorrow. Today we ended up driving to a old town neighborhood with great decorations and lots of trees with falling leaves and took a long walk. When we got home we decided to publish a family newsletter so that kept everyone busy until suppertime. Thanks for being here for me!
Jennifer
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SharonO
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| Posted: Oct 15 2009 at 6:54am | IP Logged
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Do you have a video camera they can use? They can make up their own videos and record themselves. Let them pretend they are Rachel Ray and put on a cooking show. If I had 3 girls those ages, they also would be playing Little House on the Prairie all day long. That is what my 10 year old and her best friend do when they get together. In fact, I am instructed to get "play prairie food" for her birthday next month.
I love the family newsletter idea.
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: What can these kids do?
