For summer break, let children be bored

We’re a week into summer break at our house, and despite everyone in our social life, from church to school to the local gym, asking, “What are you doing this summer?” we’re doing “nothing.” Our nothings consist of pool time, movie marathons, cooking shows and cooking together, beach days, play dates at the park, hikes, BBQs, and sleeping in (if the toddler lets us).

I did not experience the social pressure of lavish European vacations or signing your children up for $1,000 a week (yes, a week) sports and science camps months in advance until I moved to Los Angeles 12.5 years ago.