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It seems that July has been designated as Anti-Boredom Month, and I can’t help but wonder what this notion of ‘boredom’ is all about. Honestly, I’ve just discovered that it’s July—just kidding! Kind of. I usually keep track of the months, but the specific dates often catch me off guard, leaving me surprised when the calendar changes. I find it easier to organize my life around the days of the week rather than the dates. Some days are packed with soccer, baseball, hockey, summer camp field trips, or playdates. Balancing these commitments with my ex and our social, work, and travel plans means life is anything but boring. I’m not complaining; I cherish my hectic life with three energetic kids and co-parents who have diverse interests. However, the concept of an Anti-Boredom Month is amusing—I wish I had the luxury of needing a whole month to keep busy!
National Anti-Boredom Month was established by Alan Caruba in the 1980s to counter the summertime lethargy that often sets in after the 4th of July festivities and before back-to-school planning. While Alan may label this period as boring, I prefer to see it as a much-needed breather. We’re currently in a sports hiatus, our evenings are mostly free, and we’re preparing for a vacation week. I’m not concerned about the downsides of boredom that you mention, Alan; I would gladly trade my chaotic schedule for a bit of predictability and mental ease. My exhaustion isn’t from a lack of stimulation, but from the whirlwind that comes with family life. Just like some people don’t comprehend my fear of squirrels (they can be quite aggressive, you know!), I’ll never get the fear of boredom.
Creative Ways to Combat Boredom
For those feeling the pangs of boredom, the National Today website offers a variety of fun suggestions. But here are some alternative ideas to help you transition from relief to nostalgia for those boring days of the past.
Gather Kids
They don’t have to be your own! Many parents would be thrilled to let you borrow their children for a day (or more!). It’s possible to feel utterly alone even when surrounded by kids, but boredom is never an issue when you have little ones around. My kids, though demanding, are loud, chatty, and full of sass. They’re also perpetually hungry, so feel free to test your culinary skills on their discerning palates—just be ready for some criticism. Kids may grumble about being bored, but this actually fosters their independence and creativity. The antics they come up with can be utterly entertaining. If you hear them complain, just sit back and wait; you’ll see their creativity bloom. If that doesn’t work, try giving one child a treat while withholding it from the others and watch the chaos unfold. My days of successfully managing boredom often begin by accidentally giving one child more cereal or offering the last pancake to the one who finished first, leaving the others with plenty still on their plates.
Attempt Any Task
Once you have kids in the house, pick any task to tackle. In my home, cooking means dodging children who are riding hoverboards or playing hockey, while folding laundry turns into a game where kids become pirates, pets, or imaginative characters needing laundry baskets. Leave the laundry on the table and see what happens to it by dinner. Whether it’s mowing the lawn or making a phone call, I promise someone will interrupt with a request to give their stuffed animals a spa day or will scream for you while crying because you didn’t come to their rescue sooner.
Engage in Basic “Fun” Activities
Anything perceived as fun with my kids feels like an expensive upgrade you never wanted. We can’t just enjoy the 4th of July fireworks and reminisce about cotton candy; we return home to a dog that finds a nest of voles in the yard, leading to a chaotic rescue mission while the kids scream and cheer. Buying an above-ground pool to stay cool during the pandemic summers ends up costing three times as much in repairs and supplies.
If you’re determined to combat boredom, treat yourselves to ice cream for dinner at your favorite outdoor pizza stand. The kids will still be hungry after their cones, leading you to get pizza for dessert, which might result in a lost tooth. The chaos continues as one child’s tooth flies out of their hand just as another needs to use the bathroom. You’ll eventually decide enough is enough and tell the kids to carry their pizza to the car, only to forget to remind them to hold it properly, leading to a pizza mishap.
A juggler is scheduled to perform at the park this Friday, but I’m not sure I can handle it. What I could really use is an Anti-Fuckery Month. Can we look into that, Alan? Thanks!
Further Reading
For more engaging insights, check out this other post on our blog. If you want to dive deeper into home insemination, this authority on the subject offers excellent resources. Additionally, Facts About Fertility is a fantastic resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
This article humorously explores the concept of Anti-Boredom Month in July, reflecting on the hectic nature of family life and the chaos that comes from managing children’s activities. It suggests creative ways to engage with kids and turn mundane tasks into entertaining experiences, all while questioning the very notion of boredom.