Why You Should Do Nothing When Your Child Says, "I Am Bored!"

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If you’re a parent, you have definitely heard your kids scream this out more than once. It is one of the most challenging phrases for parents to deal with because kids these days tend to get bored quickly. Back in the day, we did not have the wonders of the internet to keep us busy. We spent our summers playing outdoor games like lock and key, hide and seek and galli cricket. Our parents would have to instruct us to take some rest because we would never want to stop playing. We would never get tired, and no amount of games would bore us. But things are quite different now.

Technology has taken over, and there are a lot of options to be entertained. Apps are available at the tip of our fingertips to keep us engaged with games, music, quizzes, and whatnot. Yet kids these days get bored quickly. It could be because of the saturation of screen time. With this global pandemic, schools and colleges have opted to have online classes, increasing screen time for kids. It might be a lot for them to handle, and so boredom strikes harder. But studies show that being bored is a great thing. It does not necessarily cause harm but allows your brain to recharge (1).

Effects Of Boredom On Your Brain

Effects Of Boredom On Your Brain
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Because kids these days are easily bored, parents enroll them in classes to keep them occupied. If it’s not music and dance classes, it’s art and craft or cooking. While you might believe that being bored is challenging, studies say the opposite. By robbing your children of being bored, you are essentially taking away their downtime and the opportunity to be creative. Let’s look at the effects of boredom on the human brain:

  • Improves Executive Functioning
Improves Executive Functioning
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Being bored and staring at a wall for a little time during the day might just be what your kids need to recharge and rejuvenate from the constant external stimulation. When the brain wanders, it helps your child recover from cognitive overload and helps recharge executive functioning skills (2).

  • Helps Sets Goals
Helps Sets Goals
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It might seem confusing to understand how the brain functions. While it wanders away in boredom, it thinks about what’s next and becomes future-focused. Studies say that allowing the brain to wander actually sets it in the direction of determining future choices for your kids. It helps them in the choices of what comes next (3).

  • Boosts Imagination And Creativity
Boosts Imagination And Creativity
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Research shows that our brains do not reach a state of inactivity when we do not focus on something. Instead, it wanders and explores creative thoughts and imagination (4). No wonder we come up with some of the best ideas in the shower, right?

With all these benefits, it can safely be said that the occasional boredom is quite useful for your child. When we were growing up, we did not have those extra classes to go to, to keep us occupied, and we turned out alright, isn’t it?

So, the next time you kid says they are bored, do not hesitate to let them be with themselves. Encourage them to explore any interests they have without constraints on their time doing what they like.

Why You Should Do Nothing When Your Child Says, I Am Bored!
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You could take them to a park and let them explore the flowers, plants, and snails. They can also socialize with other kids and make new friends. Instead of getting worried when your child says they are bored, ignore them, and let them find ways to entertain themselves. A lot of painters, writers, and artists are born this way!

It might seem like a difficult task initially to ignore your child and not give them something to do when they say they are bored. But with time, they will understand that you are not going to swoop in and provide them with entertainment to keep them occupied. They will soon start finding ways to keep themselves busy and might even discover a hidden talent they have. Did you find this article helpful? Share it with your friends and family if you did.

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