Here we are in the first full week of the summer and already I have heard the phrase “I’m bored” 500 times.  Well – maybe not quite that many times – but it sure seems like it.  You may be tempted to say it is my own fault for having just 1 child – if my son had siblings he wouldn’t be bored.  I don’t think it has anything to do with how many siblings a child does or doesn’t have…”I’m bored” is a 4-letter phrase to all parents.

What is your child trying to tell you?  In this age of computers, iPods, Wii and 800+ channels on the TV, kids can’t really be bored, can they?  A small child might really need help in finding another activity to engage in.  An older child may want your attention. My 5 YO son has hundreds of different activities he can do on his own, but he still came to me (usually when I was working at my computer) “bored”.  We had lunch, played UNO, washed my car, and played a cool space police game on lego.com.  In between activities he would play alone and then come back to me “bored.”  Does he want my attention or is he just so used to being entertained that he doesn’t know what to do when the TV and computer are off?

What do you do about it?

  1. Try planning a really fun activity outside the house once a week.  A mini vacation from home if-you-will…spend the day at the pool, go to a museum, or go to the zoo.
  2. Try planning the day in blocks.  That is, after all, how it is at school.  They know what to expect next and it keeps them engaged.  Younger children may need a pictorial guide to the day – older children will do fine with a list.  Keep an arsenal of activity papers, stickers, books and other activities ready. Put activities in a jar and let them pick when they need a new activity.  Here are some ideas:
  • Make a card for daddy, grandma, grandpa, etc.
  • Make a fort and then have lunch in it.
  • Give them a magnet and tell them to make a list of things that stick.
  • Two words – sidewalk chalk!
  • Get involved in the summer reading program at your local library – many times prizes may motivate an older child.
  • Let them help you cook – it may try your patience (like it sometimes does mine) – but they LOVE it!  You have to do it anyway, they may as well learn while you are at it.
  • Bubbles.
  • Lay in the grass and watch the clouds for fun shapes.

The possibilities are endless.  You don’t have to spend the whole day entertaining them, but children do need some direction. They are kids. : )

For the times when nothing piques their interest, chances are only “you” will do.  Even though your to-do list is probably as long as mine, plan to take long breaks to play every day.  Even kids with siblings want mom and dad’s attention.