{"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":"
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 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 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 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 Graphic Novels:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While you’re at the library, get a book or two for yourself. Take some time and read yourself. Make sure the kids see it. Read together. Take your new books and go to a coffee shop. Show them that reading is enjoyable for you too (even if you need to remind yourself that you like reading). Before you know it, reading will be a whole family experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n My oldest son is a major introvert and has no problem turning to books when he’s bored (almost to a fault). My youngest son loves to be active and interact with people. When he complains about being bored, I help him to find something to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This really could be almost anything. They can play a game, a sport, build Legos, or whatever they’re interested in. When you talk to your kid, don’t leave it there. You need to do a bit of investigating and understand your child a little more. Do they prefer to be more physical with their activities? Do they just want to interact with other people? Give some suggestions to get them started, but steer them in a direction they’re interested in and fits their personality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For board game ideas, check out\u00a030 Old-School Games Your Kids Will Love (with Commercials!)<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n If you have a child that rejects every idea you offer, it’s usually because they’re seeking your attention. I find it helpful to give two or three ideas they need to choose from. I usually include as one of the offerings to help me with whatever task I’m doing. Don’t undersell it or try to make it sound boring. Genuinely invite them to help you out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of two things usually happens. Either they’re mortified with the idea of working they choose the other activity, or they help. If it’s a bigger job, offer to pay them for their work (it’s not a bad lesson to teach kids that money is associated with hard work). <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a kid that likes to create, this is a great option. They can make anything from writing a story, to creating art, to STEM, to cooking. Once again, we need to do some investigating and get to know our kid’s interests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Does your child enjoy cooking? Encourage them to make some cookies (I find baking is great for starter cooking projects). Are you bored too? Why not work together to make a menu for tonight’s dinner and work together to cook it? You can even watch an episode of a cooking show for inspiration (my kids and I love Alton Brown’s Good Eats). <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re looking for some art activities, you can be as elaborate as making an Iron Man helmet, or keep it simple and sketch in a notebook. Either way, YouTube is a great resource. Art for Kids<\/a> is a great channel with lots of drawing tutorials. If they want to make it more elaborate, cut out their creations and turn them into a stop-motion video. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
1. Read Something<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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2. Do Something<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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3. Make Something<\/h2>\n\n\n\n