Let Them Be Bored

I grew up as an only child, and although I always had a ton of friends, and I had cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents I saw frequently, I do recall the gaping face of boredom I spent many a long day staring into. Metaphorically...there was really no face...anyway...Sometimes I was stuck home and none of my friends were home. Or my mom couldn't drive me anywhere. Or there was nothing on t.v. (is it any wonder with only 5 or 6 channels???). Or I had no new books, or no one was around to play a game with me, or whatever. I spent quite a bit of time being b-o-r-e-d. On the plus side, I had to amuse myself. Learning to amuse oneself is a pretty important life skill to have.

The boring hours of my childhood are not the ones that stand out all these years later, of course. The birthday parties and sleepovers and family outings and vacations and other fun times are what remain as more vibrant memories. But still, being bored has its place. I think parents need to allow their kids to be bored once in awhile because is it reasonable to lead them to believe that someone will always be there making sure they have something to do? If there is one thing that drives me nuts it's a kid who needs someone to constantly entertain him. 


Of course these days kids have much less opportunity for boredom. They are scheduled day in and day out with play dates and sports and other activities. (Although none of my kids are currently participating in any organized activities). Plus there's a zillion t.v. channels, and if there's nothing showing right now that you like, just try OnDemand or NetFlix. Or put in a BluRay. And then the video games and the internet and the constant ability to get a hold of friends thanks to cell phones. And the toys...well I do have 4 kids but geez Louise! I had an eensy weensy little bitty fraction of the toys my kids have. Despite all this, and the fact that they have each other to play with (although, sadly, no neighborhood kids), sometimes one of my kids will complain of boredom. Which is generally the time to assign more chores. One of the reasons I banned them from television this month is because I want them to experience a little more boredom. I think boredom fosters creativity. I think it's good for 'em.


All that being said, now that I'm a grown up, I don't think I can remember the last time I was bored. Who has time for bored? Sure there are times I'm a little restless, or I'm caught at a standstill because there are just so many things to do around the house I don't know what I should do first. If I'm doing something I want to be doing, there are a million things I should be doing. If I'm doing something I should be doing, there are a million things I want to be doing instead. There are not enough hours in the day to do everything I need and want to do. There is always always always a meal that needs to be prepared, dishes and laundry to do, phone calls to make, a diaper to change, floors to sweep, lists to make, organizing and planning to do. And if I'm taking a break from all that then there are books to read, the internet to peruse, writing to do, channels to surf, walks to take, etc. etc. etc. If I'm away from home and there's nothing to do, I don't call that boredom, I call that bliss.  


So I'm wondering, is boredom important for adults too? Or is it just a matter of perception? Quiet, thoughtful times are now enjoyable to me. Maybe I learned that because I had ample opportunity to be bored as a kid.

Upcoming Reviews and Giveaways! Coupons to Use Now - EvoraPlus/EvoraPet

I'm really excited that I've been given the opportunity to review several new products - and host giveaways too! - in the coming weeks. I love trying new things and sharing my opinion for the benefit of other prospective buyers (and my friends and family, of course!), and I am thrilled that some of my readers will get to try these products too.

I recently received two items made by Oragenics, EvoraPlus and EvoraPet. They are both probiotic oral care products - one for humans and one for dogs and cats. I got a 30-day supply of each, and just started using them. I will be reviewing them all in good time, and giving my readers a chance to win them as well. But in the meantime, if you're curious and interested in trying either or both of these 100% natural products, I have coupon codes to share with you that can be used at www.oragenics.com now through August 31, 2011 (US only).

•  EvoraPlus is a mild tasting probiotic mint, to dissolve in your mouth once a day after brushing. According to the bottle, it "Naturally whitens teeth, naturally freshens breath, and supports gum and tooth health." The coupon code, for $5 off, is EPLUS811.
• EvoraPet is a powder probiotic to sprinkle on your dog or cat's food once a day. It has no taste or smell, and according the container, use of this product will freshen your pet's breath while cleaning and whitening his teeth. The coupon code, for $5 off, is EPET811.

I will provide a lot more information about these products when I post the actual reviews, but just wanted to give everyone extra time to take advantage of the coupon codes. Don't forget - they expire August 31, 2011.

I Think I'm In Love

Fish flies...an annual infestation in SE Michigan

I may have mentioned once or twice that summer is my favorite time of year. This past week we have had great weather in southeast Michigan and it is really and truly finally feeling like summer. We had to turn the a/c on. And I'm cheap, so you know we needed  it. The kids have been playing outside, we spent an awesome day at Belle Isle with lots of friends, another afternoon at our local splash pad, an entire day hanging out with friends at our house (and in and out of the pool about 50 times), and today - swimming at Chris's dad's. We sleep in. We eat dinner at 9:00. We walk around barefoot. We grill burgers and hot dogs a million times a week. Our gate is covered with bathing suits and towels. We eat ice cream and popsicles every single day. In short...heaven.

I kind of wonder...would I get sick of summer if there were no winter, spring, and fall as contrast? Is it that those other seasons make me appreciate summer, and without them I'd be bored of warm, sunshiny, beautiful weather? I don't think so. Actually, I think I'd probably be a much happier person if every day was 80 degrees and mostly sunny. Sure, I like a little variety every now and again. A rain storm is divine (especially a summer one) while cuddled up in bed with a book. Snow is beautiful when it is freshly fallen. I enjoy a crisp, cool fall day too. But still...I definitely think I could live with 365 days of summer. It'd be okay with me if it varied from, say 60 degrees, to about 90 degrees.


I'm just so happy to be in the midst of summer right now. What about you? Do you think summer is the utmost in perfection too?

31 Days of No T.V.

Piled in our bed, enjoying their last night of t.v.

Today is the first day of our month without television. I've been thinking about doing something like this ever since Chris's cousin told us her family was going t.v. free for a year...and that was a few years ago. This ban does not apply to grown-ups, and honestly I rarely watch t.v. But two of my favorite shows just came back on for the summer (True Blood and Weeds) and no I am not delaying gratification until August. Hypocrite? Whatever.

I will not be crazy when the kids are at friends' houses...the ban applies to our home only. We will do some family movie nights. We might even do one this evening, as we have a few extra kids for the whole day, and I may need to sedate them by dinner time. But what I'm trying to avoid is the mind numbing, zombie inducing endless channel surfing that tends to happen on long days with no school to break up the time. I want them to spend more time outside, more time reading and playing games...finding stuff to do and working their way through boredom instead of automatically turning to the television when they don't know what else to do. We'll see if they survive...

Belle Isle Is a Beautiful Island

Yesterday we went on our annual trek to Belle Isle. If you're not from around here, you should know that Belle Isle is an island, rather unkempt and sort of gritty - but not without its charms! - near downtown Detroit in the Detroit River. I've been going there since I was a wee little lassie and it's one of my favorite spots in the city.
  
If you've heard unsavory stories about Belle Isle and you're nervous about going, let me take a moment to convince you. It's hopping with families during the day (perhaps more of a teen hang out at night...hence the unsavory stories). Families are biking, having picnics, playing on the various playgrounds, hanging out on the beach, and so on and so forth. I've never ever felt scared or threatened in any way. Almost everyone has kids with them. I will say it can be kind of confusing to find stuff (can we have more signs please?!?), but the main road goes all the way around the island, so just keep driving in a circle and you'll eventually find what you're looking for.

We got kind of a late start. This is pretty much the story of my life. So anyway, I picked up Bethany's friend and headed to Belle Isle with 5 kids. We went straight to the biggest, nicest play ground on the island, where we were meeting several friends. Michigan has finally decided to turn on the summer, so it was a beautiful day. The kids played and played and played. Just a note, there are restrooms near the playground (no soap) and a concession stand, but we couldn't find any working drinking fountains. So bring lots of water. There are tennis courts just across the street, and Bethany brought her tennis stuff, so some of the kids went off to play tennis for awhile (with adult supervision, don't worry!). 

After the kids pretty much wore themselves ragged, we packed it up to head to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. But on the way there we got sidetracked and decided to stop at the Scott Memorial Fountain first. I remember seeing the fountain as a kid, and then it was closed for repairs...for years. Now it's up and running and we wanted to get some pictures. The kids tossed in pennies and made wishes and then the rest of our party realized it was getting to be too late to go to the conservatory. Everyone got in their cars to leave, but Connor and I really wanted to see the conservatory, so even though the girls were all whining that they were tired and hot and blah blah blah,  we drove over there and enjoyed it for about 15 minutes until it closed for the day. That was kind of a bummer, but really the kids were so exhausted by this point that it was just as well.

We're hoping for another trip this summer so we can go to the conservatory (and nature center) first, before the kids are totally worn out and everyone has to leave for Little League games and whatnot. Belle Isle may not be shiny and new like some other parks (and shiny and new is great), but I love old things and I love history and I love that I used to go there with my grandparents. As long as it's open I'll be enjoying Belle Isle. (I also love that I'm ticking things off my summer to-do list! Yes, I'm a dork!)