If you had been nearby my home last night, you would have heard my child declaring me “the meanest mom ever!” The echoes of his protest bounced through the hallways as he stomped off to his room, clearly upset. I had once again denied him the chance to swim at our neighbor’s house.
With school now in full swing, my son’s days are crammed with activities that kick off at dawn when he boards the bus and don’t wind down until bedtime after homework and, twice a week, kung fu lessons. That’s a lot for a young child to handle.
To counteract the overwhelming schedules that threaten to consume my son’s attention and energy, I’ve instituted “bored time” several days a week. This initiative allows him the freedom to be a child, to explore and engage his curiosity. In my own childhood, we called this free time or quiet time. In our household, we refer to it as bored time, and it’s a period where we harness our imaginations and creativity to craft enjoyable pastimes.
During bored time, screens are off-limits. No phones, tablets, or video games. Instead, my kids can choose from a small library of books, a craft table stocked with supplies for building all sorts of imaginative creations, or even venture outside. They can tell stories, compose songs, or indulge in silly dance-offs. We once even had a staring contest that left my eyes twitching for hours!
Childhood is fleeting, so why rush through it with an endless list of activities? When I slow down, take a breath, and truly engage with my child, I discover what matters most to him—like his fascination with a particular ash tree in our yard where he once spotted a butterfly cocoon.
I listen to my son weave elaborate tales filled with hilarious characters, like farting pirates and kung fu monkeys. He shares his dreams and fears, knowing that conversations with Mom and Dad are a safe haven. Bored time—the moments set aside for family bonding or for him to create and explore independently—fuels these valuable dialogues. It’s a practice I intend to safeguard.
As he grows older and extracurricular activities become more enticing, keeping this tradition alive will be a challenge. I’ve made it a rule that he can only participate in one extracurricular activity per school year. He’s always expected to join us for dinner and spend quality time at home on weekends. Our household rule of unplugging screens during bored time will remain intact as we encourage creativity and fun.
After his initial tantrum, we discussed his views on bored time. As he yawned through his critique of my “silly rules,” he suddenly showed me a drawing of a rocket ship he plans to construct from cardboard after school. He even mused about how much duct tape we’d need to create an escape hatch for alien invasions.
While my child may shake his fist in frustration during bored time, I’m confident that he will eventually recognize its value. These moments without screens, schedules, and social pressures will help him grow into someone who appreciates the simple wonders of life, like a butterfly cocoon. For a deeper dive into parenting strategies, check out this insightful blog post here.
If you’re considering ways to boost your fertility journey, be sure to visit Make a Mom for reputable at-home insemination kits. For more information and resources on intrauterine insemination, check out this excellent guide from Healthline.
In summary, creating designated bored time for my children not only nurtures their creativity but strengthens our bond as a family. In an age of distractions, it’s essential to carve out moments for genuine connection and exploration.
Leave a Reply