Summertime guilt...?

Question

I am a stay at home mom and have 2 little boys. 1 is almost 5 and the other is 11 weeks. We live in a rural area and there are no other kids in the neighborhood. Unless we make a playdate, my almost 5 year old doesn't get to play with anyone but me and my husband. We do have playdates, at least 3 per week, not to mention I try to get us all out of the house at least once a day. I feel so guilty. I grew up in a neighborhood full of kids. I feel like he's so bored. Any suggestions? (besides moving) This really won't be an issue when school starts, but the idea of having a looonggg, guilty summer just kills me...

Answer 1

I live in a rural area as well...our local library has a lot of programs, you could send him to camp for a week, join a pool, get him involved in something outside that doesn't require other kids.  You feel guilty for not giving him the same childhood you knew, he doesn't know any different though.  Find something for him to do and you will both be fine!

Answer 2

Unless you act like it is wrong to not be around people he may not notice or be bored. I think playing with other kids once a week (as in scheduled) is more than enough and if you are getting out and about the rest of the time he's fine. He is 5 abd really shouldn't need you to entertain him 24/7. Let him go out and mess around in the yard by himself. Don't feel like you are the entertainment committee, out of 3 kids only one of mine absolutely CANNOT entertain himself. The other 2 can play for hours by themselves.

Answer 3

Get a pool pass and hang out at the local pool so he's surrounded by people.

Answer 4

go to the park and pool!