Saturday June 9, 2007 

The sun is shining diamonds on the calm blue waters.  You glance out at the lake, while hurrying to clear the small cups, bowls and other breakfast dregs. You can’t wait to claim your place in the worn wooden deck chair nestled on the dock.  Quickly, slathering on 15 SPF sun-block, careful to avoid your eyes, you grab your book, hat and a glass of ice water.  You’re out the screen door and practically run toward the chair.  Once settled, a feeling of calm envelopes you.  ‘Ahhh, this is the moment I’ve been waiting for,’ you think to yourself.  It took all your energy to move your family out of the stifling hot city with its sweltering heat, noise and endless demands on your time, to this beautiful, tranquil, pristine heaven.

You savour this moment as your body sinks into the wooden slats.  Adjusting your hat, you open your book eager to start holidaying.  The sound of the water lapping against the dock is suddenly interrupted by a thin high-pitched yell, quiet at first- it quickly becomes louder and more insistent.  You strain to hear what is being said, and as you do, your stomach contracts and your shoulders become instantly tense.   You watch, as a sticky little jam-smeared mouth approaches, uttering these dreaded words: “Mooaaammmm, I’m bored.”  Glancing around, you realize there is no nanny, no play date to bail you out.  Sighing, you resign yourself to the horrible truth:  just because you’re at the cottage, doesn’t mean you’re on vacation, at least, not the one you were expecting.

I have learned this lesson the hard way.  Mostly it had to do with managing my expectations.  For me, going to the cottage is like going to Disney World, not so for my five and seven year–old children.  I enjoy my cottaged experience more, when I have planned some activities for my children to enjoy with me and with out me.  

That’s why Saturday’s columns are devoted to kids’ activities and ideas.  Over the summer I will provide a variety of unique vacation activities you can do with your children: from building bat houses to playing kick the can, and independent art activities that will give you a break too.

Here are some of my children’s favourite books suitable for ages 4-8:

• The Three Questions by Jon Muth
• The Raft by Jim La Marche
• Julius The Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes
• Franny K. Stein Mad Scientist by Jim Benton (recommend buying the box set)
• Princesses Are Not Quitters by Kate Lum and Sue Helland