In Search of Boredom

Some of my favorite memories of my childhood were the long, endless days of summer.
I didn't go to camp, day or overnight. In fact, no one in my neighborhood did. Instead, my brother and I would wake up, build with Legos, play with our dog while absently picking at mosquito bites. Then debate whether we'd walk to the neighborhood pool or ride our bikes to a friends pool.

Once we'd made the BIG decision for the day, it was all about gearing up. We grabbed our bathing suits, lunches, and a few quarters in hopes that we'd run into the Ice Cream man (a highlight for sure!).

Days were lazy and slow. And if we said we were bored, my dad would quickly remind us that boredom is good for us because it made us more creative. And it was true!

I look at my kids with their jammed packed schedules from day camps to water parks? On one hand, I can rationalize they are doing things that I never was able to do as a kid.

* Sailing on the Hudson River (around the Statue of Liberty no less!)
* Rock Climbing in the wilds of Central Park
* Fly Fishing in the Catskills

And yet, where's the boredom?. And more importantly, where's the creativity that follows boredom? The inventing of odd ball games, playing a spontaneous game of neighborhood kick ball, catching fireflies to see if you could find enough to light a room.

Hmm, maybe I'll just lock them in there rooms for a week and see what transpires!