If you had been within earshot of my home last night, you would have heard my child proclaiming me “the meanest mom ever!” as frustrated shouts echoed through the house while he stomped off to his room, clearly upset. I wouldn’t allow him to go swimming at the neighbor’s house. Again.
With school now in session, my son’s days are filled with activities from dawn until dusk. He catches the bus, attends classes, completes homework, and even goes to kung fu lessons twice a week. That’s a hefty schedule for a little one. To combat the chaos of these packed days, I insist on several days of “boredom time” each week.
The intention behind this is to ensure that my son still experiences the joy of being a kid, using his imagination and exploring his surroundings. When I was young, we simply referred to it as free time or quiet time. In our household, it’s called boredom time, and it encourages us to engage our creativity and think of fun ways to spend the day.
During boredom time, screens are off-limits. No devices, no calling friends, and no visiting others. Instead, we have a cozy collection of books and a craft table stocked with supplies for all sorts of imaginative projects. Outside play is encouraged. There are stories to invent, songs to create, and even silly dance-offs. Once, we had a staring contest that left my eyes twitching for the rest of the night!
Childhood is fleeting, so why rush through it with endless activities? When we take a moment to slow down, I discover what truly matters to my son, like his fascination with a specific ash tree in our backyard where he once spotted a butterfly cocoon.
I hear him share elaborate tales filled with quirky characters like farting pirates and kung fu monkeys. He opens up about his hopes and fears, trusting that talking to Mom and Dad is safe. This boredom time—those moments dedicated to family bonding or allowing my son to explore and create independently—fuels meaningful conversations and strengthens our connection. It’s something I deeply value and want to protect.
As he grows older and extracurricular activities become more enticing, maintaining this boredom time ritual may become challenging. My goal is to limit him to just one extracurricular activity per school year and to always prioritize family dinners and home time on weekends. We will stick to our rule of unplugging screens during these boredom sessions to foster creativity and enjoyment.
After my son finished sulking, we had a chat about how he feels about boredom time. While he expressed his displeasure with my “silly rules,” he excitedly showed me a drawing of a rocket ship he wants to build out of cardboard. He even pondered how much duct tape we’d need to create an escape hatch from alien invaders!
Though he might shake his fist in frustration during boredom time, I believe he will eventually recognize its value. These moments without distractions from screens, schedules, or social pressures will help him grow into someone who appreciates the simple wonders of life, like a butterfly cocoon.
For more insights on parenting and self-insemination, check out this article from our other blog, and visit Make a Mom for expert advice. Don’t forget to explore IVF Babble for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Enforcing boredom time in my household has become essential for nurturing my child’s creativity and strengthening our bond. By creating space for imagination without distractions, I believe my son will grow to appreciate the simple joys of life.