Why "I'm Bored" Might Be One of the Best Things Your Child Says This Summer

"I'm bored!" Those two little words can make any parent feel like it's their job to become an entertainer. But what if boredom isn't a problem to solve? What if it's actually one of the greatest gifts we can give our children? In this week's blog, we explore why allowing kids to experience boredom can spark creativity, independence, and resilience and why resisting the urge to "fix it" may be one of the best parenting decisions you make.

"I’m bored."

Every parent has heard those words. Your unhappy, restless, child comes to you wanting your attention and for you to play with them. They want you to fix it.

When our children come to us, saying “I’m bored,” it’s hard not to think about all the boredom busters we see on Tik Tok. Social media is full of creative parents building elaborate obstacle courses, sensory bins, and scavenger hunts. There’s also new and improved toys that promise to keep kids entertained for hours. 

Everywhere we look, we're told that good parenting means keeping our children constantly engaged. But the reality is that most parents don't have endless time, energy, or money to create magical experiences every day. 

So what happens instead?

We hand them a phone. We turn on the TV. We offer a tablet. Within seconds, the complaints stop. 

But...guilt creeps in. We feel guilty that we couldn't create the perfect screen-free afternoon. We feel ashamed that our child is spending another hour in front of a screen. 

Instead of asking, "How do I get rid of my child's boredom?" maybe we should ask, "Is boredom actually a problem?" 

What if...boredom isn't something to eliminate? 

(Parents get ready for a mic drop moment!)

What if…boredom is actually good for kids and something parents need to cultivate and embrace?

It’s often the first feeling a child experiences when not being mentally stimulated or entertained. There are no videos playing, no games running, no one directing their attention. They're simply left alone with their own thoughts. For most kids, this feels uncomfortable, so they naturally seek stimulation.

But, if we allow children to sit with boredom instead of rescuing them from it, something remarkable often happens. They begin to imagine and create. They invent games, build forts, draw pictures, write stories, explore outside, or come up with entirely new ways to play. The boredom doesn't last forever and it opens the door for new discoveries through independent play. 

Learning how to move from "I have nothing to do" to "I can create something to do" is an important life skill. It develops independence, problem-solving, resilience, and imagination.

Children learn that they don't always need someone else or something else to entertain them. They discover that they are capable of creating joy on their own. 

In next week’s blog post, we will continue this conversation and talk about ways to cultivate boredom for our kids. But until then, the next time you hear "I'm bored!", take a deep breath, smile, and remember:

The greatest gift we might give our kids in those moments is the chance to wrestle with boredom until their own imagination takes over. 

Boredom isn't the enemy, it can be a pathway to growth!

 

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