In all the daily workload and commitments, I don't know why many of us have set ourselves a task: not to let our children get bored!
How do we try to solve this?
Very little free time, kindergarten or school, followed by classes, classes, classes... or games, dolls, plasticine, cars, or, even worse, iPads, cell phones, laptops... We fulfill their every wish so they don't get bored.
But they still get upset – and often, we get even more upset.
Why are children upset when we are doing everything to fulfill their wishes?
I have good news:
Children should be bored – it's good for them!
Why should children be left to be bored?
In today's world, where we fill children with nonstop stimuli and activities, moments of boredom are very necessary.
When our child gets upset, it doesn't mean we are failing as parents; on the contrary, we are helping them develop themselves emotionally, creatively, and mentally.
When they don't have ready-made activities, children invent games, stories, or new ways to pass the time, feeding their imagination.
There is nothing more conducive to children's mental development than stimulating their imagination and creativity.
It is very valuable for children to learn to cope with feelings of emptiness and discomfort, without waiting for someone to intervene immediately.
By having free time and the opportunity to choose what to do with it, children better discover what they like and what their passions are.
We know very well that life is not always a bed of roses and that our children will have to deal with different situations and problems. Dealing with boredom makes them emotionally stronger and better prepared for life, where not everything revolves around fun.
Thus, we give them the opportunity to get to know themselves better – and this, in no way, should make us feel guilty.
Therefore, when your child tells you that he is bored, don't rush to immediately resolve his boredom.
Leave a part of the day free of organization, tasks, classes, or screens. This will help them explore spontaneously. If they need help, give them alternatives, not ready-made solutions.
And whatever they choose to do to get through their boredom – creating something new, drawing, doing an experiment, or cooking – support and appreciate their efforts, regardless of the outcome.
They need our confirmation that they are succeeding and that their effort has value.
This is how we help children grow by developing their minds and creativity. A developed mind, one that creates, is a free mind.
And if we raise free children, then we are truly on the right path to good parenting!
