Fun- A difference of Opinion

I don't know about you, but my five-year-old and I do not always agree on what is fun, how often it should happen or how long it should last.   I can't help but wonder how many other parents  encounter this difference of opinion with one of their children.   

Not having an overabundance of money or time, I tend to lean toward time together that is short and inexpensive.  Not understanding cost or time she tend to lean toward activities that are longer and involve an entrance fee. Since I work most of the day, and have to come home to clean and cook, I tend to look for things we can do quietly together at home.  She spends most of her time in school so when she comes home she wants to go somewhere or do something that uses up her pent-up energy.  Business hours of the places she wants to go also limit my ability to meet her immediate wishes for having fun.

A few weeks ago I spent some money (OK, more than I should have) on some Christmas craft projects for the kids to do, thinking it would be fun for them.  The four-year-old has enjoyed doing them and thinks we have had fun for the day.  The five-year-old will work on the craft project, laughing, giggling and smiling the whole time,  then come seconds later to ask if we can have some fun.  If I tell her we just had fun, making the ornament was our fun for today, she stomps off screaming "but we didn't go anywhere fun. You don't want me to have fun anymore."  I know part of her reaction is her emotional personality and overreaction, but I also understand much of it is an age thing where fun is defined as what she wants to do.   She wants to go to the park, go swimming, go to a museum, go to a restaurant, go to the beach, go to a movie, go to the zoo or go to the aquarium.

So our difference of opinions on what is fun, has meant we have had many discussions about what fun is.  Last week we drew a picture of two weeks and what we did each night.  She decided grandma was trying to make sure she has fun everyday once she could see that each weekday we did something fun at home. (cookies, ornaments, kindle time together, movie night, walk to the store or play a game) and then on Saturday going somewhere (go to the movies at the mall, ride the UTA Trax to see Christmas lights uptown).

While I understand I have a unique situation with my five-year-old because of her emotional issues, I would be eager to hear if some of  you have a definition of fun conflict and how you deal with ii.  I am as open to suggestions as I am to sharing my own experiences (now and in the past).   I hope to hear from you soon.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       



Location: West Valley City, UT

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