Real-Life Parenting Wins and Fails: Beating Summer Boredom
Summer break. It’s the time of year every kid looks forward to—and every parent has to figure out. In our house, summer is extra special because my husband is a teacher, which means we all have the summer off together. That’s a blessing and a challenge all wrapped in one.
We’ve had some unforgettable wins... and some epic fails.
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Too Hot to Function Some days, the heat is so intense that all our plans go out the window. That outdoor picnic? Canceled. Trip to the park? Nope. Everyone is cranky, sweaty, and bored—and honestly, so am I. On those days, it feels like the AC and frozen fruit pops are the only things keeping us together.
Sunburn Woes Even when I think I’ve been diligent with the sunscreen, someone ends up with a weird burn. There was the time my daughter had bright red knees, and my son had one sunburned ear. One. Ear. We’ve learned (the hard way) to reapply like it’s a full-time job.
The "I’m Bored" Blues Despite a backyard, a garden, craft supplies, and board games galore, I still hear it: "I’m bored." Sometimes the whole family hits a wall. We’ve learned that even with the freedom of summer, structure is still our friend.
Unplugged Garden Time One of the best parts of summer is spending time together in our garden. The kids get their hands dirty, we talk about bugs and bees, and they actually eat more vegetables because they grew them. It’s simple, grounding, and free.
Nature Adventures We love packing up water bottles and snacks and heading out to explore nearby trails or parks. It doesn’t cost anything, and it usually leads to laughter, discoveries, and a good night’s sleep.
Working as a Team We’ve made a little tradition out of weekly family cleaning days (cue the groans). But we blast music, assign zones, and celebrate when it’s done. It teaches responsibility and makes the house feel just a little less chaotic.
Summer Projects Giving the kids ownership of a summer-long project—like building a fairy garden, starting a lemonade stand, or learning to cook a few meals—helps beat boredom and builds confidence.
Intentional Boredom Sometimes, boredom leads to brilliance. When I resist the urge to entertain every second, I’m amazed by what the kids come up with. Forts. Shows. Homemade games. Boredom isn’t always the enemy—it’s a spark.
Summer as a family is messy, magical, sweaty, silly, and full of lessons. It’s a time to slow down, reconnect, and remember that not every moment has to be picture-perfect to be special.
And when all else fails? There’s always popsicles and a sprinkler.
What’s your go-to summer survival strategy? Let’s trade tips and stories
Hey you! Yes, you— You need to check out my YouTube channel “Life is Messy But I’m Learning as I Grow” where perfection is overrated and messes are just part of the fun. Whether I’m hot gluing my fingers together (again), cooking something easy & deliciously, or chasing my cats off the craft table—you’ll always find real-life creativity, laughs, and learning in progress.
You can Expect:
Budget-friendly DIYs with a side of glitter chaos
Plant-based cooking that won’t scare your kids (probably)
Gardening tips from someone who talks to her plants
Family travel where at least one thing goes hilariously wrong
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Hi, I’m Mary Ellen, the creator of the YouTube channel "Life is Messy but I'm Learning as I Grow." I’m thrilled you’re here, joining me on this journey of discovery and creativity! As a mother of two, married to my high school sweetheart, and with a career background in childcare, my life is wonderfully busy and, yes, a little messy—but that's part of the fun.
On this site, I share my favorite things: plant-based cooking, crafting and DIY projects, family-friendly travel tips, gardening advice, and the occasional antics of my two adorable cats. I'm always eager to learn something new and love sharing my discoveries with anyone who will listen—so I’m glad you’re here to listen!
Whether you're looking for inspiration, practical tips, or just a place to connect, I hope you'll find something here that sparks joy and encourages you to learn and grow along with me.