I consider myself a fun-loving mom. My kids know they can usually count on me for activities like sculpting with Play-Doh, constructing Lego creations, painting, coloring, tackling jigsaw puzzles, or diving into books. I’ve built countless snowmen and crafted myriad sandcastles. I welcome their help in the kitchen, tidying up, raking leaves, and even shoveling snow. If the mood strikes, I might join in for a game of hopscotch or hide-and-seek. We frequently meet friends at the park and visit the library. I can easily spend hours blowing bubbles on the porch—until someone spills the bottle, which usually happens after about 20 minutes.
Still, amidst the whirlwind of our daily adventures, there are moments of stillness. Working from home means I need to dedicate some of my kids’ daylight hours to my computer. Sometimes we’re cooped up indoors due to frigid temperatures, or—heaven forbid!—Netflix decides to misbehave.
On these rare occasions, my kids experience that all-too-familiar boredom—the kind that manifests in dramatic flailing and exaggerated sighs, culminating in a whiny “plaaay with me” that raises my blood pressure and makes me want to hide. It’s a common scenario, but I suspect I’m one of the few moms who believe that boredom can actually be beneficial.
If my Pinterest feed is any indication, I’m supposed to drop everything and craft a dollhouse from a shoebox, transform our living room into an expansive racetrack with masking tape, or dye a 5-pound bag of rice in vibrant colors. Are other moms really doing this? As a first-time mom, I thought so, and I tried to follow the “rules” of parenting.
I attempted to assist my toddler in creating somewhat bizarre owls and rabbits from brown paper bags. I painstakingly cut tissue paper into shapes for stained glass that, despite our efforts, never illuminated our floor with any semblance of color, regardless of the window. One Christmas, we endeavored to make a gingerbread house from graham crackers, but let’s be honest—we devoured the construction before the icing had a chance to set.
The irony of these “boredom busters” is that they are often excruciatingly dull for the adult involved. And when you’re a parent to little kids, tedium can feel inescapable. There are diapers to change, socks to pair, and pots of noodles to stir. Not to mention the joys of potty training, poop jokes, and the never-ending cycle of cleaning. Do I need to elaborate?
As a more seasoned mom of two, I’ve decided to stop the cycle of boredom-busting that only leads to my own tedium. When my daughters declare they’re bored after we’ve finished baking or coloring, I typically respond with equally annoying retorts like, “I’m sure you’ll come up with something to do. You always do!” or “You’re surrounded by toys and each other! Figure it out!”
Then I retreat behind my computer to work or sneak off to the bathroom with a book. Sometimes, I tackle the laundry, which often leads to me resting my forehead against the cool dryer, wondering if I’m a lazy, selfish, or simply odd mom for allowing my children to confront and navigate their own boredom.
While it may be uncomfortable for all parties involved, the advantage of this hands-off approach is that it’s efficient and consistently effective. On average, it takes less than ten minutes for the whines to morph into joyful chatter.
Of course, the flip side is that their creative solutions can sometimes be more chaotic than the initial drama. I once returned from the bathroom to find my 2-year-old experimenting with stickers on every surface (spoiler: they stick to everything!) while my 5-year-old rummaged through her closet to find the “perfect outfit” for a “royal vampire wedding” that required my attendance.
But despite the occasional mess, as long as their newfound creativity doesn’t lead to me vacuuming up a million grains of dyed rice, I’m committed to this strategy—even if it makes me the only mom without a “Boredom Busters” board filled with pins.
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In the realm of self-entertainment, it’s crucial for children to develop their independence, and I’m here for it—even if it means witnessing a bit of chaos along the way. For further insights into dealing with head lice, visit Intracervical Insemination. And for those seeking more information on genetics and IVF, the Genetics and IVF Institute is an excellent resource.
Summary:
This article discusses the author’s approach to parenting, emphasizing the importance of allowing children to experience boredom and develop their own creative solutions rather than constantly entertaining them. Though the children may create messes or chaos in their quest for entertainment, the author believes this hands-off approach fosters independence and self-reliance.