“Mom! I am getting bored.” – I really get scared when I listen to these words from my son. For a few minutes, I become clueless on how to respond to it or how to solve this problem. Sometimes I feel so guilty and pressured that I give him permission to indulge in video games or other gadgets. I know that is not a good option to drive away his boredom. But I can’t find any other alternative to keep my little boy busy after he completes his homework. I have a few friends who are in the same dilemma. Recently, while searching for a solution, I have gone through an article by a child development expert who has advised parents not to consider boredom as something negative. It actually helps to develop self-awareness in children. For this technology-obsessed generation, boredom is good to make them happier in their life.
After reading this article, I am now happily convinced that boredom is not so bad for my child, and this unstructured time can benefit him in many ways. With moms like me, I want to share why boredom is not that bad for their kids also. “Children need time to themselves – to switch off from the bombardment of the outside world, to daydream, pursue their own thoughts and occupations, and discover personal interest and gifts.”
BENEFITS OF BOREDOM:
1. IMPROVES SOCIAL SKILLS:
When children get enough distraction-free time, they start to communicate with people around them. They give attention to other family members and try to help them. The relationship among the family members improves as they spend time together. They realize the importance of family time and feel happy and secure. They start playing with other children or engage in some activities together. This improves their communication and negotiation skills. They learn to perform as a team, an essential quality most of the children lack nowadays. At the same time, they become physically active in this way.
2. MAKES CHILDREN INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE:
When children are bored, and electronic gadgets are not available, they take the help of their imagination to entertain themselves. They become creative and try something new on their own. Their curiosity provokes them to discover new things, and they feel happy and confident from within. Working on their boredom improve their critical thinking and flexibility. Drawing, painting, paper crafts, and other hands-on activities help children to grow as imaginative and creative.
3. IMPROVES PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS:
Kids develop a problem-solving attitude if they learn to handle their boredom. Taking an initiative to solve the problem of boredom makes them confident and resilient. After trying different things to amuse themselves, they learn to handle failure also. Consequently, they will come out of their comfort zone by taking risks with something new and acquire survival skills. Most importantly, it boosts their self-confidence as all their talents get the opportunity to be unveiled.
4. IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH:
Boredom contributes to the overall mental health of a child. A child can realize his true potential and inner strength while discovering new ways to spend his time. He becomes happier and confident when he feels a sense of belonging to his surroundings. He feels connected with nature and builds memories to cherish lifelong. Simple and small things, adventure, laughter, sharing, and caring enrich the young mind and teach some essential life lessons.
In this age of technology, excessive use of gadgets is causing short attention span, stress, and depression in young children. Boredom helps to feel less stressed by engaging them in their own thoughts.
Boredom helps children to deal with the present moment. Besides, constant stimulation is not healthy. Boredom gives them the opportunity to connect with real people and real things around us. So, we should allow our children to get bored frequently. To make their childhood happier and memorable, we should not avoid the benefits of boredom for our children.
Audrey
December 12, 2020 at 1:44 amI love your perspective on this!! I think this is a great way to look at boredom.
Amy Thompson
December 18, 2020 at 10:32 amThat’s really interesting. Makes total sense!
Jess
December 18, 2020 at 6:05 pmI love this!! So true.
Nicole
December 18, 2020 at 8:15 pmI feel the same way! Gotta let them be bored sometimes and your reasons why are so beneficial for them.
Joannie Prive
January 27, 2021 at 5:21 pmThank you for this great article! I won’t get anxious anymore to see my kids getting bored.
AShlyn
January 27, 2021 at 7:33 pmThis is why I am pro non-technology hours with kids, and even adults! Watching kids get creative to entertain themselves and not only entertaining for you, but so good for their brain!
Lydia
January 28, 2021 at 1:33 amGreat article! I once read that it takes kids 20 minutes of boredom before they start being creative. Now if I could just get through 20 minutes of “moooom I’m booored” I’d be off to the races!
Josephine
January 28, 2021 at 9:30 amOh, I love this so much!!!! As a mother of two I feel that you have to learn them that it’s ok to be bored. Whit screens that always entertain them they must know that their minds end senses don’t have to be feed non stop.
Digitaldaybook
January 28, 2021 at 12:54 pmWow interesting. I don’t have kids yet but I’ve always heard that some boredom is good for them especially if they are the hyper type.
Courtney
March 1, 2021 at 3:36 pmI had no idea how good boredom is for kids! I find myself trying to always occupy my toddler so these are such great tips.
Kim
March 1, 2021 at 7:28 pmI’d never considered the dreaded ‘I’m bored’ in that way. You raise some really good points which I agree with. I’ll be putting this into practice as my son gets older
Dawn
March 2, 2021 at 1:49 pmYes! I absolutely agree! Boredom is so good for kids!
Sue
March 2, 2021 at 3:14 pmThis is wonderful! It’s easy to get caught up in a parenting culture that encourages us to do all the things and never let our children experience boredom.
Jennifer Passmore
March 2, 2021 at 3:51 pmHuh, interesting how it helps mental health! My little guy can get pretty bored sometimes, lol.