“I’m Bored!”—Why That’s a Good Thing (And What to Do)

Your child has a room full of toys, a backyard, and siblings. Yet, they stand in front of you, dramatically sighing: "I’m bored."

Do we fix it? Ignore it? Or use it as an opportunity?

• Immediate Solutions – "Go play outside." Works temporarily.

• Structured Play – Setting up activities keeps them engaged but can create dependency.

• Letting Them Be Bored – Uncomfortable, but boredom breeds creativity.

• Intuitive Parenting Take – What are they actually asking for?

Have a go-to boredom strategy? I’d love to hear it. Reply and tell me!

Boredom isn’t a problem; it’s a moment of stillness before creativity kicks in.

Instead of jumping in with solutions, try this:

• Acknowledge: “Oh, boredom is interesting. What does it feel like?”

• Be curious: “What’s something small you could do right now?”

• Trust them: Let them sit with it. See what happens.

They’ll learn to fill the space on their own. That’s where magic happens.

Next time they complain, resist the urge to entertain. Give them the gift of discomfort—it leads to discovery.

How does boredom show up in your home? What’s your go-to response? Reply and share!