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PAGE 6A PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS THURSDAY. JULY 20. 2023
by, Many,
Mlybianjo
Panmt Mwt&i
I’m bored! Curing the summer doldrums
Summer is not even half
over and many parents are al
ready beginning to hear their
children saying, “I’m bored!”
Summers are always difficult
for working parents, of
course, but even the stay-at-
home parent struggles to
keep kids occupied during
the summer months.
Summer camp is always a
good option provided one is
available and affordable.
When looking for one in your
community, seek out the
nearest YMCA. Often, they
run special summer camps
and frequently offer a sliding
scale for fees or even schol
arships. With the YMCA,
you need not worry about
your children’s safety. Staff
are highly trained and have
undergone background
checks and drug screens to
ensure your children are
cared for in a safe and fun en
vironment.
If you are fortunate
enough to have the children’s
grandparents living nearby,
ask for their help on a limited
basis. Most would be happy
to take the children several
days a week or month to add
variety to the children’s
schedules. It is a good idea to
provide the grandparents
with some activities and out
ings they might want to con
sider so the children aren’t
just sitting around all day.
The stay-at-home parent
can provide lots of activities
for their children. If the chil
dren are a bit older, they may
be able to help entertain the
younger siblings. This allows
them to bond but also pre
pares them to be a parent
themselves one day. If this
option is selected, it is impor
tant to discuss with your
older children some of the
activities they might use with
their siblings.
Activities for kids at home
need not be just playing
video games, although that
would certainly be allowed
for a small part of the day as
well as outdoor play. Some of
the activities can also be
“learning games” that keep
the children’s skills learned
in school from fading away
over the summer. The more
tools you have in your sum
mer activity tool kit, the bet
ter off you will be to keep
boredom at bay.
Make sure you have a
Boredom Box to reach for
that contains art supplies,
cards with activities on them,
etc. Create a “Boredom
Buster” resource using a jar
with small cards inside. The
cards contain activities the
child can engage in when
they pick the card out of the
jar. Activities might include:
reading about insects and
making a book about them;
writing a book about the
events in your summer vaca
tion; making a solar oven and
cooking something on it;
learning to identify all the 50
states on a map and the state
capitols; etc. There are hun
dreds of excellent activities
available on the Internet and
they can be found with a
quick search.
All summer activities
need not be “educational”
and too many of them will
make your children begin to
feel like they are still in
school. Leave plenty of room
for just plain fun like running
through the sprinkler on a hot
day; reading a book on the
porch; going fishing; taking
an excursion to the local li
brary (remember that they
often have events every week
to join in on); etc.
There are some great
movies out now for kids.
Check the listings for your
local theater to see what is
available. Streaming movies
on TV is fun too but there is
nothing like watching one on
the really big screen with a
little popcorn too. Take ad
vantage of reduced-price
tickets if available.
Tapping some of these
ideas will help keep your
children active during the
long summer months and
help them to avoid saying,
“I’m bored!”
Mary Migliaro, M.Ed. is a
regular contributor to the
Progress. She is both an
educator and parent mentor.
She may be reached at
marymigliaro@aol.com to
take questions.
Counseling
Individual, Couples and Family Therapy
with Adults, Teens and Children
Robin W. Dunn M.S.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Over 30 years experience helping people live better
770-548-1966 • 505 Cove Rd. • Suite 3 • Jasper
www.robinwdunnlpc.com
Faimers Market Report
‘Tis com season and Vonnie Eby had her vehicle loaded
with sweet yellow corn Saturday.
Another bright and beau
tiful day for the Jasper Farm
ers Market. Early birds rush
in then things settle into a
rhythm with customers, ven
dors, pups, and pocket
change changing hands.
There are some good
deals to be had at the market.
Com brought by the Jones
Family was the first item to
be seen for sale among all
their veggies. (Wednesday’s
Summer Market had Peaches
n Cream corn available. By
all accounts, it’s the best.)
Tasting all the fresh grown
corn is the best way to be
sure of which is best.
Poppy and Pansy are ‘cot
tage core’ focused on their
homemade items. Michelle
of Little Miss Piggys is well
stocked with pork skins in
many flavors. Do you think
the carb craze is over? Think
again, when you taste Miss
Piggy’s selections.
And if you're looking for
something different it can be
found at the Jasper Farmers
Market. Check out Long
Swamp Trading Post’s bed-
springs and insulator candle
holders. Or maybe they are
for flower posies? Or a walk-
by candy bowl to grab a
sweet treat? Take a look and
you decide what’s the best
use.
Come take a walk at the
Jasper Farmers Market and
see all the wonderful crafts
and creations. The JFM is
sponsored by the Pickens
County Master Gardeners. It
is located at Lee Newton
Park in the Park N Ride park
ing lot across from the Vet
eran’s Memorial from 7:30 -
12. Wednesday’s summer
market is from 11 to 1. (Go
get that com.)
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BIG CANOE ANIMAL RESCUE
Mack
Breed:
Hound Mix
White w/ brown patches
Age:
13 Months
Weight
(current) 69 lbs
(when grown) Large 75-100 lbs
My Info:
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Shots
current, Healthy, Neutered, Chipped, NO cats
Mack is a happy, playful pup who has a wonderful
disposition despite his previous home life. He is a
big kid at heart who needs a second chance at
happiness. He will make a fun family pet and
companion come meet him!!
All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No
electric fences, please.
Colt
Breed:
German & Australian Shepherd Mix, Male
Black w/White
Age:
4-month old puppy
Weight/Size:
(Current) 20 lbs, (When Grown) Large 75 lbs.
My Info:
Good with dogs & children, Currently finishing
puppy shots, Healthy, Not neutered, Will Need
potty training but very smart!
Meet Our Boy Colt!
Are you ready to play and cuddle with me?
Being a puppy is fun and exciting, but I need
someone to teach me tricks, go for adventure
walks and help me grow up. Colt will add joy to
your household and make a great family
companion.
Accepting applications now!
Visit BCAR shelter pets every Saturday from 11:00 am
to 2:00 pm. Call (706)268-1346 or visit our website at
www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org to adopt.