Why I Cherished My “Do-Nothing” Week With My Family

home insemination Kit

Last week was our mid-winter break, and the whole crew was at home. We faced a few snowy days, temperatures dipped below freezing, and for two days, our car was stuck in the shop. We made it out to the movies once and ventured to an indoor play gym, but otherwise, we were mostly homebound.

Sure, we watched a bit more TV than I’d like to admit, but we also dabbled in some fun science experiments involving cornstarch and dish soap. Oh, and let’s not forget the brownie-making and, of course, the brownie batter licking—that’s a family tradition, right?

If someone were to ask what we accomplished that week, I might have just shrugged and said, “Umm, nothing.” But can I tell you how much I adored that week of “nothing”? It turned out to be one of my favorite family vacations. As I scrolled through my social media feed, I saw families frolicking in tropical paradises, soaking up the sun, and while I felt a tinge of envy, I couldn’t help but relish the time spent at home with my family.

There were moments when I felt a little guilty. I questioned whether I should have seized this rare opportunity for quality time. Should we have taken the kids to a museum in the city? Caught a Broadway show? Dived into more art projects or board games? Should I have squeezed in more exercise or even written more? What could I do to make this time more meaningful?

Then, I let those thoughts drift away. I immersed myself in the moments—watching my toddler play with cars on the floor (he’s currently obsessed), and my older child buried in books, a true bookworm. We all shared laughter and tickles on the bed, while my partner and I enjoyed “late-night” catch-up sessions with our favorite shows.

Honestly, what could be more fulfilling than this? Just being together with the people I love most is what life is really about. Yet, there’s this societal pressure to be productive with your kids, to have something to show for your time together. Is it social media’s fault? The so-called Mommy Wars? I’m not sure. But the pressure definitely exists.

I feel it when my son says he wants to quit Little League, or basketball, or piano lessons, and when he expresses a desire to just come home after school and unwind. I often wonder if I should encourage him to “do something.” It’s tempting to say, “That’s fine, but you should try to have a passion outside school.” But does he really need to add more to his already packed schedule? This 8-year-old, whose interests span from reading to writing books to creating video games and even hula-hooping—does he need to do anything else but just be himself?

Let’s embrace the beauty of doing absolutely nothing together. Let’s allow space for being ourselves, and seek out other activities only when we feel ready. I believe we could all benefit from less doing and far more being.

And let’s not forget the importance of faith—faith that our lives are rich enough as they are and that there’s no one to impress. Regardless of how it seems, no one is watching us as closely as we scrutinize ourselves. No one can dictate what we need or how to fill our days—we hold that power. Let’s use it to cultivate happiness and cherish the simple, everyday moments we share as a family. Life is shorter than we think, so why not live authentically, in the presence of those we cherish?

So here’s my gift to you: give yourself permission to do nothing, as a parent, as a family member, as a person. Just be present—with yourself and each other—and the rest will fall into place.

For more insights on navigating family life, check out our other posts, like this one on home insemination.

In summary, I truly enjoyed our week of doing “nothing.” It was a time to be together, without the pressures of productivity or the need for grand experiences. Sometimes, the best moments are those spent simply being with our loved ones, relishing the mundane joys of life.