As a mom, I pride myself on being the fun parent. My kids know they can count on me for Play-Doh sessions, Lego builds, and painting projects. We’ve crafted numerous snowmen and built countless sandcastles. I gladly welcome their assistance in baking cookies, tidying up, or raking leaves. If the moment is right, I might even join them for hopscotch or hide-and-seek. We frequently meet friends at the park and regularly visit the library. We can spend hours blowing bubbles on the back porch—until someone accidentally spills the bottle, which usually happens within 20 minutes.
However, amidst the joyful chaos of our daily lives, there are moments of stillness. As a working mother, I often find myself glued to my computer during daylight hours, and sometimes we’re cooped up indoors due to inclement weather. On rare occasions, our Netflix subscription even decides to take a break.
During these infrequent lulls, my kids often express their boredom in dramatic fashion—full-body flails and exaggerated sighs leading to a persistent “play with me” whine that sends my stress levels soaring. I can’t be the only mom who experiences this. Yet, paradoxically, I believe that this boredom can be beneficial.
Scrolling through Pinterest, it seems that the expectation is for me to drop everything and craft a dollhouse out of a shoebox or create an elaborate race car track with masking tape. In my early parenting days, I felt compelled to meet these expectations. I attempted to help my toddler create whimsical creatures from paper bags and cut tissue paper into shapes for stained glass art, which never quite worked out. One Christmas, we even attempted to build a gingerbread house, but we ended up devouring the ingredients before the frosting could dry.
The irony in all this is that these so-called “boredom busters” can be incredibly tedious for the adult involved. Parents are already juggling countless tasks—diapers to change, socks to match, and meals to prepare. The list goes on, including potty training and cleaning up messes.
Now, as a more experienced mom of two, I’ve decided to allow my children to navigate their boredom without my intervention. When they complain of being bored after our fun activities, I respond with something like, “I’m sure you’ll come up with something to do soon—you always do!” or “You have a house full of toys and each other. I know you can figure it out!” Then, I retreat to my computer to work or sneak away to read a book in the bathroom. Occasionally, I tackle laundry, which often leads to me questioning if I’m a lazy or selfish mom for letting them experience boredom.
Yet, I’ve found that this approach is effective. The whining usually subsides within 10 minutes, replaced by the sounds of imaginative play. Of course, their solutions can sometimes lead to unexpected messes. One time, I returned from the bathroom to discover my younger child experimenting with stickers on every surface imaginable, while my older one was busy rummaging through her closet to find the “perfect outfit” for an imaginary “royal vampire wedding” that required my attendance.
Despite the occasional chaos, I believe that fostering self-entertainment in my children is crucial. As long as their creativity doesn’t result in a disaster like dyeing rice or creating a massive mess, I’m sticking with this strategy—even if it means I don’t have a Pinterest board titled “Boredom Busters.”
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In summary, while I enjoy being an engaging parent, I also see the value in allowing my children to experience boredom and develop their creativity. It’s a delicate balance, but one that ultimately promotes their independence and imagination.