GREAT READS Issue 996 · January 24, 2024

Man Overbored

It was vacation time, and (say it with me) the kids were bored

Man Overbored

was vacation time, and (say it with me) the kids were bored.

We’d done jumping jacks, we’d painted, we’d played every outdoor game that we could, we’d baked and crafted and read stories and had baths. I had run out of ideas.

“I’m also bored,” I said.

That stumped them. They suggested I do jumping jacks, and I managed 30, to rousing cheers. They suggested I do a handstand. I found, to my amazement, that I could still cartwheel across the room. My little audience went wild. They suggested that I paint the walls. I demurred; I know my children’s helpful inclinations, and preferred to tackle that particular task in the dead of night, undisturbed. They suggested I bake them treats, but didn’t have the patience to wait for me to actually bake anything. I suggested that I have a nice quiet bath. They said worriedly that that sounded far too boring.

We sat opposite each other on the floor.

Continue reading with Mishpacha.

Create a free account to keep reading.

Everything you need to stay close to Mishpacha.
← Previous installment Perfectly Okay Next installment → Give and Gain