How many of you and your kids have cabin fever?
My kids are not in full time school yet, since they are in kindergarten and preschool. They are driving me nuts!

My ds will entertain himself for the most part. But my dd just wanders around and whines that she does't know what to do. It is NOT that she is lacking in toys, books, puzzles, etc. She has plenty TO DO, she just chooses not to do that. I am tired of listing everything that she can do. Now i just don't know what to do with her.

SHe also asks me to play with her. I tell her that I will play with her but she has to figure out what we are going to play. She never thinks of anything for us to do together. It's just makeing me crazy today, can you tell? LOL

Anybody have any cabin fever cures? Any way to get her to stop wanting to watch tv and to use her pretty little head and that brain inside it! Thank you!

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 03:07 pm:

Cabin fever? I'm not in my house enough to get cabin fever.

Ready for spring and warmer weather? You betcha. I don't really have any ideas. What about a trip to the library to get some books to read? It would be different scenery and maybe new books would inspire her for something to do.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 03:53 pm:

oh Dawn, we go to the library once a week and have TONS of books to read. I just bought 5 new books yesterday for her from her school book fair. She's just bored and unmotivated.

The ugly gray weather probably affects her like it affects me. It's just gloomy. We need some sunshine and warm weather.

By Fraggle on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 04:33 pm:

My youngest DD is the same way. We have a very bad case of cabin fever, too. Today even though it was cold we took a walk on the beach. I needed to do something to get rid of her energy. I have even been letting her ride her tricycle in our driveway (with mittens and a hat on ) We can't really go out of the driveway because the snowbanks are still too high. Lately I've been putting on some music CD's that she hasn't heard in a while and she has been dancing to them.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 05:18 pm:

Oh shoot, there goes the library idea. I suppose she really needs a trip to the park or something! I know around here, it's probably too muddy at the parks right now, since everything is melting!

It's cold out now, but felt better around lunchtime, when the sun was high. Now it's setting and getting colder out. I don't know if I would want to go to the park, either.

By Tink on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 08:21 pm:

How about a baking project? Swimsuits and sunglasses pulled out of storage and a swim party in the tub? A fort under the kitchen table with flashlights and microwave smores? When my kids get too whiney they know I'll find not-so-fun chores for them to do and sometimes like them like washing the sliding glass doors or mopping with plain water. My kids are taking their spring break and they'll be off for almost six weeks. Luckily, the weather is starting to warm up around here.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 10:26 pm:

We moved here, when kids were 3 and 1. The gymnastics center at the YMCA had open workouts around lunchtime, for an hour. The kids could play on the gymnastics equipment and run around for an hour. My friend and I used to go twice a week. It was great for winter months, since there wasn't really anywhere else they go burn off steam.

Even when kids were little, there was always something they could do! They loved it! I don't know if you have anything like that near you?

By Eve on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 09:15 am:

Yesterday was bright and sunny and we were stuck inside. DD is sick and is attached like velcro to me. I only made it to the mail box! I was feeling a little cabin fever then!! LOL!

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 10:09 am:

BTDT These are things we've done.

- Build forts with couch cushions, pillows and blankets, etc.. My kids like to use kitchen chairs or the table and throw a big blanket over the top. They crawl in and have a ball. Mom has to crawl in, too! Sometimes we grab some books and a flashlight and sometimes we make popcorn and eat it in the fort.

- Do something crafty. Painting, tracing, cutting, coloring, etc. Playdoh is always fun. Do a festive project. Make eggs with construction paper and decorate them.

- Put in a favorite movie, cuddle on the couch and watch it together.

- Do you have any rice? Put it in a large bin or bowl and add measuring cups and spoons, small dolls, toy cars, etc.. They'll make a mess but will have fun. Easy to vacuum up later. You can do the same thing with water but that makes bigger messes that aren't as easy to clean up. LOL!

- Play Hide and Seek.

By Missmudd on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 10:35 am:

Spring break here, a 16,11,8 and 4 yo. They are BORED and it is pouring. So they are spending their time picking fights w/ one another. Is it monday yet? Sigh