Summer is Here! Stop the Whining!

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Dear pampered suburban kids of America,

I’ve got a straightforward request for you: cut the whining.

Sure, it might not sound nice to tell a child to stop whining. Maybe you’d rather say it in a gentle, soothing voice.

“Dear little Ethan, could you please stop your grumbling?”
“Sweet little Willow, could you contain your displeasure?”
“Precious little Madison-Sophia-Grace, would you mind holding back your unhappiness?”

But let’s just call it what it is: whining. And you know it.

Summer has arrived, kiddos, and it ought to be a joyous time for everyone involved.

There’s no early morning rush to heat up a frozen breakfast. No need to bundle up in layers of clothing or stuff tissues in your pockets for that pesky nose drip. No homework, no tests, and definitely no cafeteria mystery meat with a side of chocolate milk because Mom forgot your lunch.

So why the whining?

Bored, you say? Oh, I see.

You’ve been spoiled with ice cream treats, cheap toys, and endless rounds of pool games. Isn’t that enough to keep you entertained for at least a few minutes? Why does today’s youth need constant stimulation?

Let me share a little secret about my summer vacations. I spent one week in Florida, and the other six? Nothing.

That’s right. Absolutely nothing. No camps, no crafts, no activities. Just plain old nothing.

I might not have engaged in organized activities, but I was never bored. I swam, rode my bike, caught bugs to feed to my unsuspecting cousins, crafted with sticks and grass, hosted slumber parties, watched TV until I dozed off, and savored Slush Puppies like they were going out of style. I munched on squeeze cheese straight from the can while playing video games and chatting about the latest films.

That was living, not boredom.

Summertime means easy living. Yep, easy. The opposite of hard. But today’s kids can’t simply enjoy a swim or practice their backflips. Nope. They need to invite a dozen friends over and spend a fortune on pool toys.

They can’t play baseball in the yard without needing to fork over big bucks for a fancy camp just to learn how to throw a curveball that might shatter Mr. Thompson’s window.

One slumber party isn’t enough; they think they need to host five different groups of friends every week, or else the world might end.

Crafting? Forget about making stuff with sticks and flowers. They need a $25 craft kit and endless supplies just to string macaroni together.

And relaxing? Ha! They can’t just chill and soak up the summer sun. They require constant engagement.

Let’s take a family trip to the beach. That will keep the complaints at bay, right?

Fast forward a few days… now they’re complaining because you won’t buy that pricey dolphin snow globe. They want a corn dog, but all you can find are shrimp poppers. It’s too hot. The sand is too gritty. The car ride is too long.

They’re standing on a balcony overlooking the ocean with souvenirs in hand, and yet… they’re still whining.

Listen up, kids of America! You’ve never had it this good, with your gadgets and gizmos that you can hardly understand. So please, I implore you, stop the whining! At least until August rolls around.

This article was originally published on June 23, 2016.

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In summary, summer is meant for enjoyment, not endless complaints. Children should embrace the opportunity to explore, create, and simply have fun without needing constant entertainment.