June 8, 2019 I’M BUMMED ABOUT SUMMER! Hey Brandon, I’m totally bummed because school is almost out!!! I know what you’re thinking – most kids are super excited to be free for the summer! And yeah, I’m looking forward to a break from teachers, homework, and getting up early every morning. But honestly, those things are worth dealing with when it means I get to hang out with my friends every day! I don’t live close enough to walk or bike to any of my friends’ houses! I’m going to be sooo bored and I’m going to miss everyone sooo much! What am I going to do?!?! Super Sad Summer What’s Up Super Sad Summer, I definitely know lots of people who are really excited about summer and some people reading your letter might think that’s crazy. But hey, I totally get it. I like seeing friends every day. I also like the structure of a regular school day. You just…know what to expect from each day when you get up in the morning, right? That appeals to my personality. And honestly? I don’t hate ALL of my homework. Some of it is interesting. So yeah, I get it. A long summer stretched out ahead of you can seem like it’s going to last forever. And missing your friends is the worst! Here are some things I’m doing to make the most of my summer. Maybe some of them will work for you, too: Stay busy. Some families are super busy with camps, activities, and travel. But even if you’re not doing any of that, you can find ways to stay busy. See if there’s anywhere you can volunteer, like an animal shelter or a library, or even going on walks to pick up litter in parks or on beaches. Maybe you can make some money babysitting, mowing lawns, or walking dogs. You could also sign up for activities that interest you, like music lessons, drawing classes, or martial arts. They’re also a great way to make new friends to hang with over the summer. Set goals. It could be as small as finishing a jigsaw puzzle, mastering a video game, or reading a book (I personally recommend my good friend Max Crumbly’s newest one, The Misadventures Of Max Crumbly 3: Masters of Mischief). Or it could be as big as training for a 5K or learning to play an instrument. You could try knitting a scarf or planting a garden. If your goal is too easy, try setting one you can’t complete in a day or a week. Something that will take some time, practice and studying YouTube tutorials to really master. It’ll keep you busy AND you’ll have accomplished something at the end of the summer. Spend time with family. If you have siblings, they might be bored too. I know it’s not the same as hanging with friends, but maybe there are some fun things you can do with your siblings to pass the time – or even have fun! 🙂 You guys could have movie marathons, board games, or campouts in the backyard, to name a few. Or if you don’t have any siblings, hang with other family members instead. Catch up on all of your fav shows, movies, and videos. Parents tend to limit how much screen time we get while we’re in school and have homework to do. So, now is your chance to go crazy with TV, Netflix, or YouTube! Spend time with your friends. Okay, I know you said you don’t live close enough, but if you make an effort to coordinate with parents, I’m sure you can arrange some sleepovers or other ways to hang with them. And if not, there’s always video chatting or other kinds of digital communication. I know it’s not the same, but still—it’s not like you say goodbye on the last day of school and then never hear from your friends again until fall. I hope these ideas help. I know it seems like summer is going to last forever, but it really won’t. You’ll be back to school and hanging with friends before you know it. And maybe you’ll get some more ideas in the comments of how to spend your summer! Hey guys, how do YOU pass the time during summer? How do you stay connected with friends if you don’t live close by? Tell us about it in the comments.