Well, while doing all these simple normal things you're not exactly improving family financial situation or even entertaining anyone, including the dog. Maybe their idea of normal is not aligned with yours.
Source: family of five plus cat and dog. After trying in line with the advice above for twenty years the results are... underwhelming, to say the least. I feel if more focus was extended to some parts of life, the outcome could have been at least partially more satisfying. That's why I'm calling for better judgement.
