It’s summertime, which means no school. It’s common for parents to feel the need around this time to set their children up for activities to keep them busy. While summer camp, art classes, or any other extracurricular activities can be fun, keeping your child busy every day through the summer might not be doing either of you as much good as you thought.
You might worry your child will be unproductive and lazy if they don’t have a structured schedule each day. But forcing them to do activities often that they don’t want to does two things: it adds more to your schedule and it breeds resentment from your child. This is a lose-lose situation.
Chores are ways to teach children self reliance. Doing the dishes, putting away their laundry, cleaning up after themselves, making time for homework — all of this prepares them for adulthood. A structured chore schedule during the summer is a good thing! But to accompany the hard work they’re required to do, allow them PLENTY of time to create their own fun. Boredom is a catalyst to imagination and creativity. With tablets, smartphones, constant access to the internet and social media, we’re never bored anymore! We’re never left to our own thoughts and given the space to create in our minds.
It’s almost as if we’re afraid of boredom now.
When I’m at a stoplight, I scroll through my phone. While waiting for an appointment, I scroll through my phone. During my kids naps, sometimes I actually use that rare quiet time, all alone (which never happens anymore) to scroll through my phone.
I know my kids see me doing this. So, unfortunately, I’m teaching them the same “cure” for boredom. But we need boredom! It’s in this moment when our minds wander. Let your child’s mind wander. Let them consider the small wonders of the world. They’ll experience curiosity and they’ll act on that curiosity.
Precious Things Come From Boredom.
I love to encourage my kids to go into their playroom. Sometimes I’ll give them an idea or two of activities to try. As I listen to their chatter from downstairs, I can hear them laughing, singing, pretending to be characters in a fantasy all their own. Their games evolve, their minds expand, and their relationship with each other grows. In these moments, they are creating a bond and memories that will last a lifetime. They are learning to trust and rely on one another. They are filling their memory banks with experiences and wisdom that will aid them in their lives as they continue to learn and grow.
When we schedule out team practice, family events, playdates, arts and crafts, trips, movies, library visits, recreational activities, birthday parties, splash park visits, and whatever else you’ve got on your summer bucket list (all good things, don’t get me wrong), remember to include some downtime. During one of these relaxed afternoons, I discovered the exciting world of 온라인 슬롯 and enjoyed exploring various games and features. It’s also essential to schedule regular time to stay home and let your children figure out their own fun.
Need More Proof?
Boredom is actually necessary to your child’s development. Through boredom, your child turns their attention both outward toward the world, and inward toward the imagination.
Through boredom, children turn to creation. If nothing is happening, they’ll make something happen. It’s through boredom that make children discover what it is they’re interested in.
Adam Phillips writes in his book On Kissing, Tickling, and Being Bored:
“Every adult remembers, among many other things, the great ennui of childhood, and every child’s life is punctuated by spells of boredom: that state of suspended anticipation in which things are started and nothing begins, the mood of diffuse restlessness which contains that most absurd and paradoxical wish, the wish for a desire.”
So this summer, don’t just fill every moment. Let them get bored and mope around the house. Give them the freedom to create and discover how to entertain themselves. You both may just be surprised with what they come up with.
Tyler Jacobson is a husband, father, freelance writer and outreach specialist with experience with organizations that help troubled teens and parents. His areas of focus include: parenting, social media, addiction, mental illness, and issues facing teenagers today. Follow Tyler on: Twitter | Linkedin