What Do I Do When the Kids Get Bored?
Boredom isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Kids need to learn independent play and boredom may be the first step to creativity. That said, there’s not much worse than kids who claim they are bored ESPECIALLY when it’s March Break and you didn’t get a chance to plan anything. Also, kids seem to get bored so easily these days. Here are some tips to teach kids how to manage boredom and how to stop yourself from whining back at them.
What to Do When Kids Get Bored
Give a head’s up
Before things go sideways, explain that you’ll do some things as a family and that they will have to entertain themselves at other times in the day.
Make a Schedule
Making a daily schedule can be helpful for everyone. With a shared schedule, kids don’t have to keep asking you to decide what is happening next.
Create a List of Ideas
Before they’ve even had the chance to get bored, create a What Can I Do list. Make a list of books to read, games to play, craft projects to create, stories to write, pictures to be drawn, puzzles or word problems to solve, and friends with whom to play (including their phone numbers). These activities can take place in a tent in the backyard or in a fort in the family room.
Teach Independence
Take the time to teach independent play. Start small (just a few minutes) each day and build it up as they become more capable.
Be Prepared
Plan a respectful response to the dreaded exclamation, “I’m bored!” Replying with, “If you’re bored with all of these toys around, I’m going to start throwing them away!” isn’t helpful.
Try one of these suggestions:
- You may continue to be bored or you can find something to do from your list. I know you’ll make the right decision for you.
- Perhaps your body and mind need some quiet time. Why don’t you check your list?
Often “I’m bored,” really means, “I need to be with you.” Acknowledge these feelings and teach them to ask for some time with you instead of whining about being bored.
Lastly, when our children are home all day, we cannot totally disengage. If we tell our kids, “You’ve got me for an hour before I have to make lunch,” then we need to provide undivided attention. Phones, screens, and other devices need to wait. We would expect the same of them. Multi-tasking our attention creates misbehaviour that demands our full attention. Set your family up for success and enjoy your time home with the kids. And when all else fails, here’s what’s streaming for kids this month.
