Rainy Days and Sick Days: Packing for Boredom Prevention

Even Paradise has some rainy days, and even people on vacation can get sick. Story’s got a slight fever and tummyache today, and Hurricane Erick is on his way to us, which so far just means it’s misty and cool outside. Perfect excuse for a girls’ day in while the boys attempt to find sunnier weather on the beach. I’m not going to pretend I’m not letting Story binge watch Fuller House on Netflix (because i totally am), but we’re also doing some hidden pictures, mazes, UNO, and SkipBo. We’re not anti-screen as a family, but we try to keep it to moderate levels. Our rule is that our kids need to be able to be okay with not having access to screens and internet, and there can be no (or almost no) whining when we say they’ve had enough. If we get too much push-back, we know it’s time for more limits on screen time.

But that also means we need to be willing to practice what we preach. So anytime we head out for a trip, I make sure to include a few non-digital items we all enjoy. Card games, puzzle books, etc. They tend to be small items, and sometimes I bring them knowing they’ll be taking a one-way journey. (Don’t tell Story, but I’m not bringing home all these paper mazes she completed today. They will be visiting the exotic recycling center of Waimea.) That keeps us from over-packing and allows us to leave little gifts for our hosts sometimes, too. For instance, on this trip I brought a puzzle to do and then left it with a friend. Same for a book I finished reading on the plane. UNO and SkipBo, however, will always make the round trip journeys with us. They’re basically members of the family at this point.

Time to end my hypocrisy here and walk away from my own screen. Story is itching to kick my butt at a round of cards. Wish me luck.