The Joy of a Week Spent in Family Togetherness

During the recent mid-winter break, my family and I found ourselves together at home for an extended period. The weather was less than inviting, featuring a few snowy days and frigid temperatures, and for two days, our car was being repaired. While we managed to venture out to a movie and an indoor play gym, much of the week was spent at home. Admittedly, we probably indulged in more screen time than we usually would.

We did engage in a few science experiments, all centered around cornstarch and dish soap, and even whipped up a batch of brownies, which included some brownie batter tasting. But if someone were to ask me about our activities, I would have shrugged and replied, “Um, nothing.”

And yet, I can’t express enough how much I cherished that week of doing “nothing.” It stood out as one of my favorite family vacations. While scrolling through social media, I saw countless images of families basking in the sun on tropical beaches, and I felt a twinge of envy. However, I truly savored the time spent at home with my loved ones.

At times, I found myself grappling with self-doubt. I questioned whether we should have maximized this rare opportunity for family bonding by visiting a museum, attending a Broadway show, or engaging in more creative projects. Should I have encouraged more exercise or dedicated time to writing? I wondered how we could infuse this precious time with greater significance.

Ultimately, I released those thoughts and immersed myself in the moments. Watching my toddler play with cars on the floor (he’s currently quite taken with them) and my older son rereading books from our collection (he’s an avid reader) brought me immense joy. We shared laughter and tickles on the bed, while my partner and I enjoyed “late-night” episodes of our favorite shows.

What more could I ask for? Being together with the people who mean the world to me is truly what life is all about.

However, there is an undeniable societal pressure to constantly “do” with our children, to have tangible proof of our time spent together. Is this pressure a result of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram? Or is it fueled by the ongoing “Mommy Wars”? I’m not sure, but it exists.

I feel this pressure, especially when my son expresses a desire to forgo extracurricular activities like Little League or piano lessons. When he says he would prefer to come home after school and relax, I find myself questioning whether I should encourage him to pursue additional interests. I feel compelled to suggest that having a hobby or passion outside of academics could be beneficial.

But does he really need to add more to his already busy schedule? This eight-year-old, whose interests range from reading to writing stories and creating video games, may simply need the space to be himself.

Embracing the Idea of “Doing Nothing”

Let’s embrace the idea of “doing nothing.” Let us be who we are, allowing ourselves to explore other activities when we’re ready. I believe we could all benefit from less doing and more being. We need to trust that life is fulfilling enough in its own right, and that we don’t need to impress anyone. Contrary to how it often feels, no one is scrutinizing us as closely as we scrutinize ourselves. Only we can determine how to fill our days, and we hold the power to choose joy and to relish in the simplicity of family time. Life is fleeting, and it makes no sense to live it any way but authentically, surrounded by those we love.

So, I grant you permission to embrace “nothingness” as a family or as an individual. Just be present—with yourself, with each other—and everything else will fall into place.

The Joy of a Week Spent in Family Togetherness

Embracing the Idea of “Doing Nothing”

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