There’s Plenty to Do

With seven children under twelve years of age, my sister-in-law, Karma Lewis, is very busy. After several occasions when her children wailed “There’s nothing to do” and then rejected her suggestions, Karma posted a list of about thirty activities on the refrigerator. The older children read it themselves, and Karma reads it to the younger ones.

The items are listed simply, in one or two words, so the child is not limited and must use his imagination in deciding what to do. For instance, “puppets” may send one child in the direction of the box of hand puppets, while another may go to the craft supplies and make finger puppets from paper.

Other items included are bikes, skates, puzzles, paste, playhouse, color books, tent, play dough, ball, and gym equipment. The only rule is that the child must think of something to do. If he makes it clear down the list and still has nothing to do, he must accept the last item on the list: take a nap. It seems no child ever gets that far down the list. Paula J. Lewis, San Bernardino, California