The phrase “Mom, I’m bored” has become a familiar refrain in many households today. As a parent, I sometimes find it perplexing that my children view their boredom as my responsibility to solve. Perhaps it stems from my early parenting style, which focused heavily on constant engagement. Alternatively, the busy schedules filled with homework, sports, and various extracurricular activities may leave them feeling overwhelmed when it comes to entertaining themselves.
When my children approach me with their boredom complaints, they often expect a plethora of exciting suggestions. I attempt to guide them: “Have you walked the dog?” (Yes) “Practiced your piano?” (Yes) “How about diving into a good book?” (Groan). My ideas are met with reluctance—art projects, cooking, or even calling a friend are dismissed as tedious. The result? I find myself at a loss.
Reflecting back on my own childhood, I can’t recall ever saying “I’m bored” to my parents. If I did, their response was likely something akin to “Find something to do.” In the 1980s, it was understood that children were expected to entertain themselves. Our parents, busy with their routines—whether it was working out, reading the newspaper, or mowing the lawn—trusted us to find our own fun.
During my tween years, the hours after school were filled with a delightful mix of activities. I would sneak a few cookies while catching reruns of Gilligan’s Island, quickly finish my homework, and then indulge in the latest music on MTV. The thrill of writing fan letters to pop stars, arranging sticker collections, and planning meet-ups with friends filled my afternoons. I would hop on my bicycle and head to my friends’ houses, often chatting and listening to music, all without the constant presence of parental supervision.
The essence of my childhood was independence—finding joy in simple pastimes without expecting parents to provide entertainment. As I reflect on these memories, I realize that the best way to address my children’s boredom is not to swoop in with solutions. Instead, I could simply smile and suggest, “I’m sure you can find something to do.” Perhaps I will leave out my vintage Rubik’s Cube to inspire their creativity.
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In summary, children in the 1980s learned to navigate their free time with resourcefulness and creativity, skills that today’s youth can benefit from rediscovering. The next time my kids express boredom, I’ll encourage them to tap into their own creativity, just as my generation did.