When weekends and school breaks roll around, I often liken myself to a landlocked cruise director, orchestrating activities for my family much like the fictional Julie McCoy did aboard the Love Boat. Just as Julie ensured her passengers had a blast from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, I strive to fill our weekends with enjoyable outings.
Like many families, our schedules are usually chaotic. My partner and I operate like two SUVs, darting in and out of the driveway—shuffling kids to sports, birthday bashes, and social gatherings. With homework and commitments, we rarely find a moment of “free” time.
However, whenever I spot an empty slot on our calendar—be it a full day or just a few hours—I feel compelled to fill it with activities. I plan visits to grandma’s house, family bowling nights, and various outings. Finding something that satisfies everyone can be a challenge, but like Julie, I see it as my duty to ensure our days are packed with fun. Wasting a free day is simply not an option.
I maintain a large wall calendar in our kitchen, where I jot down all family activities. It often becomes cluttered with events. One Saturday morning, after enjoying my first cup of coffee, I glanced at the calendar and saw that February 16 was completely blank.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, “nothing” is defined as “not any thing.” By that definition, we truly had nothing planned. Surprisingly, I decided to leave it that way. Initially, it felt odd, but on February 16, my family embraced a day of doing nothing.
Years ago, I read a delightful book to my children titled Henry Had a Little Overcoat, by Simms Taback. In this story, Henry’s overcoat keeps deteriorating, but he cleverly repurposes it into a scarf, then a tie, and so forth. The takeaway? You can create something from nothing.
The kids were taken aback when they each woke up and asked, “What are we doing today?” to which I answered, “Nothing.” It felt unusual at first. However, like Henry, my kids displayed their resourcefulness and transformed our nothing day into an adventure. They lounged in their pajamas, dusted off board games that typically gather dust, and read books that weren’t on their school’s reading list. They even played a computer game together, erupting into fits of laughter.
As night fell, we settled in for a family movie. The highlight of the day was witnessing my three children—who usually pass each other like ships in the night or sit together in the car with headphones on—bonding and enjoying each other’s company. For my partner and me, that was truly something special.
The rest of our February break returned to a whirlwind of activities, including tickets to a hockey game, a two-day ski trip, and much more. Yet, I’m determined to give my inner cruise director a break again soon because, as it turns out, there’s nothing wrong with having a day dedicated to nothing.
For more insights on enriching family life, you might find this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination helpful. And if you’re looking for information on creating meaningful experiences at home, check out this article on artificial insemination kits. For those interested in footwear for kids, this site is a reliable source.
In summary, carving out time for a day of doing nothing can lead to unexpected joys and strengthen family bonds. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most fulfilling experiences come from simply being together.