I don’t know what to do today.
Perhaps I’ll go outside and play,
or stay indoors and watch TV,
or take a bath, or climb a tree.
Or maybe I’ll go ride my bike,
or pick my nose, or take a hike,
or jump a rope, or scratch my head,
or play a game, or stay in bed,
or dance a jig, or pet the cat,
or drink some milk, or buy a hat,
or sing a song, or read a book,
or change my socks, or learn to cook,
or dig a hole, or eat a pear,
or call my friends, or brush my hair,
or hold my breath, or have a race,
or stand around and slap my face.
I’m so confused, and bored, and blue,
to not know what I ought to do.
I guess that I should just ask you.
So, what do you think I should do?
I came across this children’s humorous poem about not knowing what to do, and it immediately transported me back to the days when my kids were little.
Back then, outside of TV, the only technology we had was the Atari. We played games like Pong and Asteroids, does anyone remember those? But honestly, some of my favorite entertainment had nothing to do with any of that. It was watching my kids make up their own fun, especially when they were doing aerobics in the living room and calling out:
“Watch me, Mommy.”
“Mommy, look at this.”
“See what I can do, Mommy?”
Those little moments were priceless.
Today, my grown children each have their own unique gifts, talents, and personalities. I still love hearing from them, whether it’s through a phone call, text, or email. My heart still skips a beat whenever they achieve something wonderful. They continue to make me smile, and we still laugh together.
Children grow up so quickly. Blink, and suddenly you’re wondering where all the years went. Cherish those moments while you can.
(I originally shared this post back in 2013, but the memories are still just as special. Some things are worth revisiting.)
By the way, here’s a sketch I drew of my kids some 40 years ago.
Wasn’t it just yesterday…?
From Heart to Heritage
Reflections From the Heart 
Sadly, because of the prevalence of technology (and perhaps the inattention of some parents), many children today are missing out on the most precious aspects of childhood.
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Thanks, Anna! I couldn’t agree more. Technology certainly has its place, but there was something so special about watching children use their imaginations, get a little messy, and simply enjoy being together. Those ordinary moments often become the memories we treasure most. ❤️ Childhood goes by far too quickly, and I’m grateful I took the time to enjoy those little “Watch me, Mommy!” moments while I could. 🙂
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I remember that
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🙂
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This brought back some lovely memories, Mary. That poem is hilarious, especially the sheer number of things the child considers doing when they don’t know what to do! It also made me smile thinking about how different childhood was before technology became such a huge part of everyday life.
I remember Atari too! Pong and Asteroids were definitely part of a very different era of entertainment. But I think you have hit on something important here: children didn’t need much to create their own fun. A living room could become a gym, a garden could become an adventure, and a simple “Watch me, Mommy!” could be enough to make a child’s whole world feel exciting.
And you’re absolutely right about how quickly the years disappear. Those little moments that seem ordinary at the time can become some of our most precious memories years later. I love that you still have the sketch you drew of your children 40 years ago. What a wonderful little piece of family history to have kept.
It really is worth stopping occasionally and remembering just how quickly the years have passed. The children grow up, but thankfully the memories don’t have to. Thank you for sharing this lovely trip down memory lane, Mary. Blessings to you and your family. 😀
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Steve, your comment was heartfelt; truly brought tears to my eyes. Childhood was such a different time, and you’re right, we often don’t realize we’re making memories until years later. Yes, some memories are simply worth holding on to, and that little sketch from 40 years ago is one of those treasures for me. Thank you for sharing your own memories and taking this little trip down memory lane with me. Blessings!
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Mary, thank you so much for your beautiful words. It means a great deal to know that my comment touched your heart, because your post certainly touched mine.
There is something very special about the memories we carry from childhood and family life. As you said, we rarely realise we are creating memories while we are actually living them. At the time, they just seem like ordinary moments, but years later we discover they were anything but ordinary.
And that little sketch you kept for 40 years really is a treasure. It is amazing how something so simple can become a doorway back into another time, bringing people, voices and feelings to life again.
I think that is one of the wonderful things about blogging too. We get to share those memories, and in doing so, perhaps help someone else remember their own. Thank you for sharing yours with us, Mary. It was a lovely trip down memory lane.
Blessings to you and your family, my friend. ❤️
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