I’m a fun-loving parent. My kids know they can count on me for Play-Doh sessions, Lego constructions, painting, coloring, jigsaw puzzles, and storytime. Together, we’ve crafted countless snowmen and built an array of sandcastles. I often welcome their help in baking, tidying up, raking leaves, and shoveling snow. If the mood strikes, I’ll join in for a game of hopscotch or hide-and-seek. We regularly meet friends at the park and visit the library. I can even spend hours blowing bubbles on the back porch (well, until someone tips over the bottle, which is usually around 20 minutes).
Yet amid this whirlwind of fun and laughter, there are moments of stillness. I work from home, and since my brain tends to power down around 10 p.m., I must steal some of their daylight hours to focus on my tasks. Sometimes, we’re stuck indoors for days because of the cold. Other times, Netflix just doesn’t cooperate—a true tragedy!
On these rare occasions, my kids experience boredom—the kind that manifests in dramatic flails and exaggerated sighs, culminating in a whiny “plaaay with me” that raises my stress levels. I know I’m not alone in this parenting struggle, but it feels like I might be the only one who thinks this boredom is actually a good thing.
Scrolling through Pinterest, it seems the expectation is to drop everything and create elaborate DIY projects like a dollhouse from a shoebox or a massive race car track made of masking tape. Do all the other parents really do this? Back when I was a new mom, I thought so. Eager to follow the unwritten rules of parenting, I jumped in. I “helped” my toddler create bizarre owls and rabbits from paper bags and cut tissue paper for stained glass that, disappointingly, never cast colorful shadows on the floor. One Christmas, we attempted a gingerbread house made from graham crackers, which we quickly devoured before the frosting had a chance to set. Delicious, but not quite the masterpiece I envisioned.
The irony of these so-called boredom busters is that they’re often tedious for the adult involved. And when you’re a parent of young kids, tedium is already in abundant supply. There are diapers to change, socks to match, and meals to prepare. Not to mention the joys of potty training and scrubbing various messes. Do I need to elaborate?
Now, as a more experienced mom of two, I’ve decided not to bore myself just to keep them entertained. When my daughters declare they’re bored after our fun activities, I respond with equally annoying replies like, “I’m sure you’ll come up with something entertaining soon!” or “You have each other and a house full of toys! I know you can figure it out!” Then, I sneak off to my computer, or sometimes retreat to the bathroom with a book. Occasionally, I head downstairs to fold laundry, which usually leads to me resting my forehead on the cold dryer, questioning whether I’m a lazy or selfish mom for allowing my kids to experience boredom and find their own solutions.
Although it can be challenging for everyone, the upside of this hands-off approach is that it’s quick and effective. Typically, within 10 minutes, the whining turns into joyful chatter. Of course, the downside is that their creative solutions can sometimes be messier than their initial complaining. For instance, I once returned from the bathroom to find my toddler experimenting with stickers on every surface (yes, they stick to everything!) while my older daughter was emptying her closet in search of the perfect outfit for a “royal vampire wedding,” for which I was graciously invited.
Despite the occasional chaos, I’m sticking with my strategy. So what if I’m the only parent without a “Boredom Busters” board filled with ideas?
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Summary:
In a light-hearted reflection on parenting, I discuss my adventures as a “fun mom” and the importance of letting kids experience boredom. Instead of constantly providing entertainment, I encourage independence and creativity. Embracing these moments of stillness has proven effective, leading to imaginative solutions from my children.