The Elusive “I’m Bored”

September 7, 2019

Next to the question, “Why?”, “I’m bored” strikes a cord with parents all around the world. Or in at least in my house it does. I embrace the bored but sometimes they don’t go along with it as much as I would like them to.

Eventually, it leads to imaginative play, science projects, arts and crafts, Legos and more. But today I realized there is a way to stop the incessant saying of the phrase “I’m bored.”

I had to get down to there level with the consequence and figure out something that would mean more to them if taken away. They love their electronic time, so I told them each time I hear the words “I’m bored” come out of their mouths BEFORE they can get on their devices then I would deduct 5 minutes from their start time.

Well, that did the trick, I had to figure out a way to let them see what was in it for them and prove to them that this is really happening. It worked. I had to figure out what their currency was today and how I could also not have whining in the house.

I’d say that’s a win-win for everyone.

How do you reach your kids on their level?