I've Been Doing This For How Many Years?

Yesterday went well in the living-intentionally category. I took my vitamins and straightened the house etc. I played Tangrams with Haley and Emily. We went for a walk, and I tried to get a picture of an elusive animal that lives in my neighborhood. I'll definitely post a pic, if I get one. Here is Will's hand holding a leaf, which he held out at arm's length on the trip home, so that no harm would come to it.

Then today I came to the startling realization that I am bored silly. Okay, maybe it wasn't a startling realization. A realization which I have secured to a cement block with cat gut, and thrown into the East river. But every so often, when the cat gut disentigrates, it bobs to the surface. Holy Cow, I am bored. I am so bored I could cry. In fact, excuse me for a moment...what? No, I'm fine thanks, just allergies. I know mothers who would chastise me for being bored, after all isn't it enough just to build Lego towers, and refill juice cups, and read Pat The Bunny 87, 542 times? Um, apparently not. I know I need to get out of the house more, but it is difficult since I spend a lot of time at any particular locale chasing my two year old around. Also I could take up a hobby, but other than my computer, who I would secretly like to make out with, thus, the mysterious tongue prints on the screen, I can't really think of something I can do while being interrupted 700 times an hour. So while I hate to foist my elementary problem on the internet, if you can share the thrilling and captivating activities you do with your children, or how you otherwise avoid boredom, I would be grateful.

Comments

[Amanda]

Sometimes I feel the same way - even though I work four days a week. It's this burning, insatiable desire to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. I'm pretty sure the kid feels it too.

This is how Target stays in business, I tell you.

[Kira]

I think it just IS, at times. I don't know any sure escape...but I sure as hell don't look down on you for being bored. It's hard.
Blogs are a good diversion, until you find yourself referencing the blogs you read 5.7 times in every conversation and developing a callous on the wrist of your mouse hand. Talk radio is fine, until you start screaming at the MORONS who call in, or even worse, calling in yourself. Books are nice but to be properly enjoyed they require you to neglect your children. TV is...no, TV never helps. Food is always there, but that's just a sure route to self-loathing, which doesn't dispel the boredom nearly long enough.
I don't know the answer, but I sympathize. I do.

[Elle]

I was half a day today with my 4 year old son and was about to seriously go mental from boredom. I feel your pain. There is no way I could be a stay at home Mama.

[Marianne]

Book stores like Barnes and Noble often do story times, libraries do too, I do that a lot with my kids. Also, join your local MOMS Club chapter, they do tons of activities and you can meet some other moms. Call all the expensive "Gymboree" type places and say you are interested and need a sample class. Find out which park the moms hang out at and go there. I've made finding good McDonald's playlands an art form. The salads there really are not bad. Home Depot and Michaels often have crafts for kids that are free or nearly free. Buy some clear liquid soap, add some food coloring and paint brushes and you have a great bathtime activity. I used to do that in a wading pool during the summer. Fill buckets with water and give the kids paintbrushes to "paint" the house.

Of course, after four years I have now decided to go back to work.....so take whatever I say with the proper grain of salt. Motherhood is hard, and often repetitious and boring. The best thing I know is to go and meet some other moms. They are in the same boat you are, trust me. They would be glad to chat.

[lizardek]

My method involved going back to work when my daughter was 7 months old, being the part-time editor and board member of a big club, running 3 other websites, joining a choir, joining the staff of an online magazine, and building a house. I would LOVE to be bored. :P

[Lisa]

Uh, hello? Are you in my house? Watching me?

I just have one toddler and already I am bored. I had a week full of pity-partying this week because I was so bored. That's really fun, I'll tell ya. I can only watch Elmo so many times before I go mad, running out of my house with tears streaming, screaming "Isn't there more to life than MUPPETS?" The neighbors are used to it.

I do take Coley to The Little Gym once a week. But then I get home and I have LOTS more hours to fill until class the next week. So I am not sure what the answer is.

If you find out, PLEASE let me know. Or Elmo's going DOWN.

[Kath]

I got involved starting a Mother's Club in our town. If your town doesn't have one, start one! There were so many mothers of young kids who were feeling the same thing. Organizing the club kept ME busy and the club itself offered outings, playgroups, activities, topic-centered monthly meetings, and all sorts of things good for mothers and kids. Kept MY sanity, anyway - and made me some wonderful friends. :)

[Beckie]

Hi, Sheryl. Don't know if I've left you a comment before, but I've been reading for a while. I'm comment-Shy. Anyway, I was looking for an Email link (because as I just said, I'm Comment-Shy) Did I read in the past that you're in Dayton? -- Unfortunately, I don't have the answers either. I feel the exact same way most of the time, but I think people hit it when they said meeting other moms, or heck, any adult you can get along with.

[Kris]

I get bored too, Sheryl. I empathize. I just wrote this long comment then accidentally deleted it, so I'll try to be more succint this time...

In January, I'm planning on joining MOPS. They meet twice a month, for a few hours. I sit with other moms and listen to speakers and do other stuff while John goes to the provided babysitter. I'm hoping to at least meet some people, expand my M-F world a bit (that's monday to friday, not necessarily mother fucking, but both apply I guess).

When I was pregnant with John, I was doing the Artist Way by Julia Cameron, and I took an "artist date" once a week. I took off on Brian for a few hours on Thursday or Friday night, or on the weekend, just to do something fun for me. For example, go to an event at the bookstore, go to one of those folksy Friday night concerts at a local church, feed the birds, browse a thrift shop or museum, go to the library, see a movie. Something, for you, to recharge. It helped me then. I need to do it again.

Also, you're a talented writer (doncha know). Maybe a special writing project to spark your interest? A babysitter and a part time job? These are things I've tried. Sometimes the stress outweighs the excitement so it's not worth it. It seems to be a delicate balance with me.

Also, I have a bunch of "what to do with your kids" books that I never look at (hangs head in shame). Maybe you'd have better luck with these books, get some ideas. There's a gazillion out there, I like the Addison-Wesley Active Learning Series (Active Learning for Twos, Threes, etc.)

Good luck Sheryl! Seek and you will find.

[Lisa]

I love my children dearly, but frankly how many times do I have to play the silly games and hear the stupid jokes before I get a brain bleed? Firstborns have it best, its all fresh then. My fourth kid- doesn't even get to tell me the punchline of the knock knock joke.