I’m bored!
Two words to drive you crazy!
“I’m bored”. These two little words drive parents crazy. “How could
I don’t exercise my imagination enough.
you be bored – look at all the stuff you’ve got! You can’t move for toys!
I have limited opportunities to be resourceful and creative.
When I was your age, I didn’t have half the amount of stuff you’ve got.”
For some children, it can also mean that they have not developed enough
Parents often despair that their children could possibly admit to being
of the ability to look around and initiate something themselves. Perhaps a
bored when they have an abundance of toys and gadgets which they
‘hovering’ parent has been too quick to rescue their child from boredom
never had as a child. Those two words get a big reaction from parents
and has always been on hand to suggest what to do, or play with,
and yet they can be said for a number of reasons.
and has done some of the thinking that is important for children to do
I’m bored often means;
themselves.
I have loved the company and attention of my friends or parents and I am
What to do to help children out of boredom
struggling to
1. Have a ‘Fridge List’
initiate some play on my own. I just need some help starting something
up and then I will be on my way.
This is a list posted on the fridge that has at least 10 good ideas for your
children to do when they don’t know what to do. Things like; Lego,
I have so much stuff to choose from that I don’t know where to begin.
modelling clay, chalk murals, card games, trampoline, construction work,
There are too many choices, too much to rummage through and I am
puzzles, drawing, craft or baking.
stuck.
2. BORED
I have been watching a screen for too long and it has totally entertained
When children use this word – use this acronym and ask them to do each
and absorbed me. I’m ‘wired’ and I can no longer think what to do
letter of their’ BORED’ list and then report back to you.
instead of using technology.
Been creative?
I really mean I am lonely, needing company and nurture and I can’t meet
Outside play?
that need all by myself.
Read a book?
I have heard this word used by others and it seems to get a parent’s
attention. It might be worth trying these two words out!
Exercised for 10 minutes?
Done something helpful?
3. Listen before you solve.
Instead of interpreting “I’m bored” literally, parents can just agree with
children and listen patiently to their feelings. Being bored is okay, it won’t
damage children and a cuddle and a listening ear is often all that is
needed. Parents need to resist the temptation to growl, advise, remind or
lecture. Just listen and nod.
4. The boredom jar
When your children aren’t feeling tired, or grumpy or bored, get them
to write on a piece of paper the kinds of things they like to do – have a
treasure hunt outside, make cupcakes, script and film a short movie – all
the ideas go in a jar, then when the dreaded ‘I’m bored’ words come up,
they pick something out of the jar. They can’t say the ideas are boring,
because they came up with them.
5. Develop children’s
imagination and resourcefulness
Fewer and less sophisticated toys develop greater creativity in children. For
instance, when a child doesn’t have a shop bought item like a pretend
oven, use a cardboard box, some milk bottle tops and make your own.
The valuable lesson you impart to a child is that you can create your own
fun and you don’t always need to buy the ‘right’ equipment. Limit how
many toys are out at once as children play better with less clutter. Invent
stories as well as reading books. Children develop a great imagination
when they are required to create their own pictures in their mind. It all
helps towards solving the boredom issue.
Try this
1.
Use the simple things.
2.
Some children need help starting an activity. Pull out gently
once they are engaged.
3.
Some children need prompts and questions to get them
engaged. “So you need something to do? What do you
have available?”
4.
Allow some mess and interruptions – it will pay dividends in
having more engaged learners and some space for yourself.
5.
Try not to let TV or the computer be the default
‘cybersitter’. It can shut out the enthusiasm for creative
learning moments.
At The Parenting Place we believe ‘family is everything’ so
we’ve created a series of 45 Hot Tips brochures to help you
make the most of your parenting journey. They’re grouped into
four categories: Early Years, Middle Years, Tweens and Teens, and
General Parenting.
Middle Years topics include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
12 ways to teach values
Bullying
Helping a worrier
Ideas for family fun
I’m bored
Making friends
Manners do matter
• Sibling rivalry
• Teaching self control
• The strong-willed child
Brochures are available from theparentingplace.com or The Parenting Place, 300 Great South Road, Greenlane in Auckland, 0800 53 56 59.
71
The Parenting Place is a not-for-profit organisation working to enhance the lives of families and young people in communities and
schools
New Zealand. To help us create more resources, Vodafone customers text FAMILY to 7005 to give $5
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