Killing the Whole Damn Aviary With One Stone

by Marinka on August 6, 2008

My daughter is so bored that the she is about to win the Nobel Prize for Boredom. She is checking her pulse periodically to make sure that she is still alive, because she cannot believe that any life can be maintained while being so devoid of anything of interest.

She tells me this often, and although it doesn’t bore me, it annoys me quite a bit. Because she has a room filled with books, arts and crafts and an ipod. Seriously, what else is there? I don’t want to launch into the whole “when I was your age, I had an orange, and it was my only friend and it entertained me for weeks,” but I am only human and at some point I am going to snap.

Apparently, that point came after the third time she told me that she was bored, while were riding in the elevator to go to the store to get some orange juice. Probably made from a descendant of my best childhood friend, Orangy. She actually said, “there is nothing to do in the elevator.” That’s what I get for traveling without a Mariachi band.

So, in a moment of parental genius I told her that when we came home, she’d have to sit down and write a list of things that she could do when she is bored. This way, she’d have something to do–and when she was finished, she would have a list that she could refer to in times of boredom. And then I could take a picture of it and post in on my blog–an instant blog post! Instant boredom buster, all around. Although not necessarily for the people reading this post. Sorry.

One year ago ...

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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

wfbdoglover August 6, 2008 at 4:52 am

Very Nice.

You forgot going to the grocery store for an elderly neighbor.

Pretend to walk to the dog, so if I had one it would be on this list

and most importatly…. elevator races. When I was under, that is how we entertained ourselves, while the parents were finishing up breakfast……. http://www.thepfisterhotel.com

Genius I know. Did you know it was haunted? Ad a ghost hunt to you list.

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wfbdoglover August 6, 2008 at 6:45 am

OMG – the sleep wasnt’ even out of my eyes… look at all those typos.. YIPES

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Kate August 6, 2008 at 6:54 am

I like “help an adult with something if they need it.” She would have to be REALLY bored for that one.

I lived in an apartment building for 8 years growing up and we found ALL kinds of things to do in the elevator. But none of it was all that popular with the neighbors….maybe I won’t make any suggestions…

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CraftyMomOfFour August 6, 2008 at 7:22 am

You should also make a list of things she can do when she is bored….fold towels, vacuum, dust, match up socks, put dishes in the dishwasher, etc.

My kids never tell me they are bored. LOL

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anymommy August 6, 2008 at 10:03 am

Does it work? And if it does, can she write a list for my kids, because they can’t write yet and they are ALL climbing on me right now which makes it incredibly hard to type anything.

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WA August 6, 2008 at 2:18 pm

I just read in the news today that 20+ teenage cheerleaders tried to see how many of them would fit into an elevator, thereby breaking the elevator and becoming trapped in it for 30 minutes.
So I guess what I’m saying is, Dumb Cheerleaders + Elevator = Good Times

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Tracey August 6, 2008 at 4:14 pm

Yeah, we have a list. It helped for the first few weeks but I hear “I’m Bored.” at least 3 times a day. It is now FORBIDDEN in the house. I don’t care. I don’t wanna hear it, because I? I am NOT bored. I have 8 jillion things to do that you are WELCOME to help with, kiddo…

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Mama Ginger Tree August 6, 2008 at 7:35 pm

Do you think she can make me a friendship bracelet?

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Insta-mom August 6, 2008 at 10:01 pm

I am totally stealing this idea. I may modify it, though, to be “Things to do when you’re bored instead of talking to your stepmother about Harry Potter.”

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Quart August 7, 2008 at 7:28 am

I like “Play Wii if I didn’t have my turn yet.” Very disciplined.

Do you want me to send you my mariachi band?

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Kristine August 7, 2008 at 8:44 am

I think craftymomoffour migght be my mom….cause if I dared to mention bordom to her, I was immediately put to work.

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Kath August 7, 2008 at 9:16 am

I’m also stealing this idea. Then I’ll promise my daughter that you’ll publish a photo of her ” If you’re bored” list on your blog 🙂

I can’t believe she has “work on Adobe illustrations”. I don’t even know what that means!!

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180/360 August 8, 2008 at 3:41 pm

This is totally something my mom would’ve had us do. I remember complaining all the time of being bored. And now, what I would give to be bored… 🙂

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