5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid to Let Your Kids Be Bored
Ugh! Summer boredom!
School is officially out, so it's time for those great big magical family summer adventures. Every single day - great big family adventures, right?
Not right.
The reality is that yes, we have some great big adventures planned for certain weeks this summer, but many days don't feel so adventurous.
The reality is that most summer days are just normal.
Some are even filled with big projects at work, errands that have to be run, and life that gets in the way.
For instance, this week, my kids have been hanging out reading library books all day, piddling with a few projects, doing their Stay Sharp This Summer for a bit, and playing with their friends for a couple of hours before watching a movie or playing a video game and hopping into bed. And then waking up to do it all over again the next day.
They're pretty chill about it, but I wonder, Is it really good for them to have nothing to do?
Should I be planning something for them every day this summer?
Then the inquiring neighbor asks what they do all day, and the mom next door talks about her kids' summer camp schedule, summer jobs, and general rush here and there, and I feel a whole new pile of mom-guilt coming on. (Good thing I wrote about that nasty mom-guilt thing already - Here's the post for anyone else prone to it.)
And I wonder if I'm doing right by my kids by giving them so much free time to roam around the woods, ride their bikes endlessly, and read without limits.
I wonder if it's okay for them to be bored.
Will it make them more creative or ruin them for life?
By now we all know that a little bit of downtime is essential for proper brain development and learning. We know that breaks are important to recharge and get ready for more learning next year. We know that there's some research out there that talks about boredom being good for kids, but if you're anything like me, you still need a good kick in the pants sometimes.
Despite what I've heard, I want to know that moments of boredom are okay.
So, if you've been wondering the same thing, here are a few facts to get your brain in gear about how good boredom can be for adults and children alike: (click the facts to visit the original articles)
Boredom makes kids more interesting, more motivated, and brings them meaning. -Motherly
Unstructured, unplugged time helps kids become their best selves. -Aha! Parenting (& this one comes with a whole heap of suggestions you can give a bored child for things he/she can do with that unstructured time!)
Boredom teaches kids self-sufficiency. -New York Times
Multiple studies show boosted creativity in people dealing with boredom. - Harvard Business Review
Boredom can help us bring positive change for ourselves. -Psychology Today
This weekend, you better bet I'll be climbing a few mountains and hopping on the water with my husband and kiddos every chance I get. But when we're not doing those things, you better believe I won't be feeling guilty about letting the kids find their own adventures.
And I hope you'll be joining me.
What about you? Do you love it or hate it when your kids get bored?
What are you most afraid of?
Hop into the email group and join the discussion.