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Do Not Express Discontent About Boredom (Or Face the Consequences)
Menu: Lifestyle
By Clara Jennings
Updated: July 8, 2021
Originally Published: July 11, 2017
Summer is a season often characterized by leisure, poolside fun, and a lax schedule. In the midst of the demanding school year, the thought of summer can feel like a dream come true. Yet, just a week into summer, parents everywhere quickly realize that wishing the school year away was perhaps a miscalculation.
By the third week, I find myself scouring the internet for summer camps that might still have availability for my three children. The summer months can become a chaotic whirlwind of complaints, disputes over imaginary games, and excessive screen time. And then, there are those three dreaded words: “Mom, I’m bored!” (which we hear approximately 85 times daily).
Excuse me while I stifle a laugh. Last I checked, my dear children, you have an entire room filled with toys, a plethora of books to dive into, a trampoline, a beautifully enclosed backyard, and an array of bikes, scooters, and fidget spinners at your disposal. If you’re feeling bored, it’s time for a reality check.
Please refrain from presenting your boredom complaints to me, or else I will certainly find tasks for you to do that you will regret ever voicing those three little words. And let’s talk about complaining about being bored during a brief car ride. Allow me to recount my own experience from 1985, when my family took a road trip without a single screen to occupy us during the drive across the country.
Sweet children of mine, you wouldn’t know true boredom if it hit you in the face. This mother is not a perpetual source of entertainment. My responsibilities extend beyond catering to your amusement while attempting to prepare dinner and manage household bills. My role is already laden with unrecognized tasks, and I shouldn’t have to be accountable for your entertainment every moment of the day.
I do everything for you—from washing your dirty laundry and taking you to the library to driving you to your friends’ houses. Yet, sometimes this mom needs to get things accomplished. While I genuinely enjoy spending time with you at the park, zoo, or other venues, there are moments when I must prioritize responsibilities such as grocery shopping and cleaning the house—tasks that also directly benefit you.
So, if you utter “I’m bored,” here’s how the situation will unfold. You may very well find yourself engaging in an activity to occupy yourself, like cleaning baseboards or scrubbing toilets if you’re not careful. At the very least, your boredom will lead to some form of productive task because this household is not a child spa retreat where you lounge around doing nothing only to tell me you’re bored when the tablet loses battery.
If you’re genuinely bored, why not start by picking up the shoes and towels scattered throughout the house, or perhaps grab the vacuum and tackle the snack remnants you’ve left in your wake? If boredom persists, you could write a letter to your grandparents who spoil you endlessly or sort through your numerous toys to donate them to children who wouldn’t dare utter “I’m bored” to their exhausted mothers.
If you are still feeling bored, I will ensure you learn how to remove your underwear from the floor instead of carelessly tossing it next to the hamper, and I’ll demonstrate how to effectively clean the sticky shelves of the refrigerator.
If that doesn’t satisfy your boredom, I can assign you tasks that often go overlooked, such as dusting, organizing the spice cabinet, or disposing of expired food hidden in the back of the fridge. I’m often too busy taking you to the library, the pool, or children’s museums to tackle these chores myself.
The truth is, I am more than happy to provide enjoyable experiences, and we will have plenty of fun during summer break. However, this arrangement requires reciprocity. You must understand, dear children, that sometimes you will need to spend the day at home while I catch up on chores, engage in yard work, or simply relish the air conditioning—and you’ll benefit from this.
On other days, this mom will assist you in setting up a lemonade stand or constructing an epic fort. You may not see it this way in the moment, but believe me when I say that boredom is a gift I am giving you. While you may perceive it as a burden, I can readily find plenty for you to do. It’s an opportunity for you to develop your imagination, enjoy reading, and appreciate the privileged life you lead if you have the luxury of feeling bored.
So, I kindly request that you remove “I’m bored” from your vocabulary. Remember that being bored is one of the best gifts I can provide. It signifies that you are avoiding all the chores I could (and should) assign to you for your contributions to the household.
For this, my dear children, you should express gratitude. And if that doesn’t resonate, here’s a mop. Let’s learn how to use it together.
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In summary, embracing boredom can lead to creativity and independence in children. As parents, we should encourage them to explore their own interests and engage with their surroundings rather than relying solely on external entertainment.