{"id":3729,"date":"2023-05-28T11:18:39","date_gmt":"2023-05-28T11:18:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dadstuffsite.com\/?p=3729"},"modified":"2023-06-01T15:06:13","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T15:06:13","slug":"6-tips-for-getting-kids-past-im-bored","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dadstuffsite.com\/6-tips-for-getting-kids-past-im-bored\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Tips for Getting Kids Past \u201cI\u2019m bored!\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Girl<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We’ve all been there. The kids are home from school and complain they’re bored. While I’m all for coming up with ways to keep your kids busy (I made a whole website on the subject), this is also a teachable moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For starters, as tempting as it is, don’t instantly turn to screen time. We as parents need to teach our kids to cope with boredom. Instead of giving in to the smartphone, let’s teach our kids how to confront their own boredom and teach them to find their own solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many studies out there regarding the mental and physical health risks regarding too much screen time. Check out this article from New York-Presbyterian for more: What Does Too Much Screen Time Do to Children\u2019s Brains?<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Child<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Boredom is not a disease. Sometimes we all get a little stuck in a rut though. We need to teach our kids some strategies for coping with boredom. Once you get your kids started on an activity they’ll usually run with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Help your kids find the things they’re interested in. Some kids are more interested in reading and learning while others like playing games and doing things with their hands. Once you help your kids discover their interests, figure out some short and long-term activities they can turn to when they’re bored. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s my personal mantra I tell my kids when they complain about being bored: Read Something, Do Something, Learn Something, Make Something, or Rest. If they’re still stuck, then they need to pick (and must participate in) an activity from the Boredom Jar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Read Something<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately for many kids, reading is associated with school and homework. But reading (especially when coping with boredom), doesn’t have to mean reading and writing a book report on War and Peace. A comic book is always an acceptable reading option (some of my kids’ favorites are Garfield and Calvin and Hobbes).<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Child<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Help your kids discover the kinds of books they like. Kids are people too (so easy to forget sometimes) and like adults, have preferences. Some kids like fiction, others non-fiction. Work with your kids to help them discover the genres they enjoy reading and then find the authors and subjects they interested in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a trip to the local library and bring home a good assortment of books. If you’re unfamiliar with the library, talk to the librarian of the children’s section. They know many trends and can help you pick out age-appropriate books on subjects your child might find interesting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get a book or two from a series, some comics, graphic novels, and how-to books. It’s okay to turn to a chapter book at certain times of the day and a comic at other times. Once you get a kid interested in a good story (and get over the homework-like stigma), they’ll devour the rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is by no means an extensive list, but here are some chapter books series and graphic novels to get started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter Book Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n