IMBAS - How do you combat it?

Elias has been getting bored with being home so much the last two weeks and has been getting a bit grumpy.  I have been letting him watch more television because he has been complaining about being bored.  I realized a few days ago that he was turning on the television at every opportunity and it was only making him more grumpy.  He has just not been wanting to do anything.

Yesterday, he bulked at the thought of reading books and even at getting in the sprinkler with his sister!  I had to threaten him to get in the sprinkler.  I told him that if he didn't go out and get in the sprinkler, he had to go clean his room.  He grudgingly got his swimsuit on and went out and stood under the spray like a person who was subjecting himself to torture.  But soon, he started letting himself enjoy it just a little and soon he was having fun, running and laughing like the boy I know and love.  And he was pleasant the rest of the day.

This morning, I was feeling guilty over not planning more outings or activities for the kids. Until last week, our summer has been a whirl of activity.  But the last two have been fairly slow in comparison to not only our summer days, but our life in general.  Though Josh and I have had a lot going on with house repairs and such, the kids have not had a lot on their social calendars.

I have made them turn off the television the last two days, but didn't have other specific activities planned - or I was told the activities I suggested were "lame".  While I took a shower this morning, I determined that I would take them out somewhere, even if it was just to get ice cream at McDonald's and play at the play place (since it is WAY TOO HOT to play at the park).  But when I got out of the shower, the kids were in their own little world of play.  They had the Legos out (which they hardly ever get out) and they were playing some type of make believe game.

They have been enjoying themselves all day and I haven't given them any activities to do. I think maybe they just need time to get creative.  When the television is one click away or the next activity is on the horizon all the time, they aren't as forced to "think outside the box".

I feel frustrated that Elias is already getting into the "I'm bored" angst syndrome (IMBAS for short - I just coined that.  It is awesome, I know. Don't be envious) and that he rubs off on Isabella who doesn't really feel the same but becomes a sympathizer pretty easily. (Not to be confused with the other Imbas that I just googled, just to be sure I wouldn't be sued for stealing someone else's acronym).

But I know I need to just take each day at a time and realize that my kids have to figure out things on their own sometimes, and they'll have to do so more and more the older they get.

It is hard being a parent!