“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”
- Dorothy Parker
![colors 06.25.09 [176]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3661387311_02862a2211.jpg)
Life's adventures, both real and imagined, are well served by a box of crayons.
TGSG Note: Sometimes, we write posts that really stick with us. This in one of those posts. Whenever I speak to parents, boredom is often a topic that comes up, and I am always amazed at the anxiety it produces in people. I wanted to take this opportunity to beat the pro-boredom drum one more time. And, it’s not just me…
“Bored? Don’t blame your job, the traffic or your mindless chores. Battling boredom, researchers say, means finding focus, living in the moment and having something to live for” – Scientific American Mind (2007)
Yep. Sounds about right.
I was recently talking to my friend and fellow-blogger, Michele (@OCPlayparks) about boredom, and what my take on the concept was when it came to kids and childhood. The great quote from Dorothy Parker immediately sprang to mind. You see, I am a BIG fan of boredom. I invite it into my world. Roll around with it and ask it to dance. If I were a politician, I would run on the pro-boredom ticket.
Boredom, it seems, has become a 4-letter word in many households with children. Apparently, boredom in children is a fate that many fear more than a bad FICA score or bathing suit season. To remedy this fact, many kids are plugged-in and given activities to do every second of the day. No stone is left unturned in the quest to keep kids entertained and to stop them from uttering the words that strike fear into the hearts of many: “I’m bored!”
To which I say, um, SERIOUSLY?! Boredom is one of the greatest gifts of childhood — without a doubt. Out of “boredom” springs creativity and great bouts of imagination. Countless adventures of the mind start with a simple spark necessitated by boredom. If we do not allow kids to arrive at this state, how will they ever learn to entertain themselves, stretch their imaginations, and call on their own inner-reserves to create play and self-directed learning.? If we merely fill their reserves with television, videos, or structured activities, how will they ever realize that they have everything they need right at their disposal? No batteries required. No directions needed.
A box of crayons. A garden or backyard. A park or playground. A pile of sofa cushions or a journal and drawing pencils. Books and blocks. Simple tools and nearby places — all of which stir the imagination if given half the chance. Children will blossom if we step back and let them be — give them the time and space they need to rely on themselves and their beautiful, natural-born creativity, ingenuity, and imagination.
Kids will create worlds within worlds, fly rocket ships to the moon, build forts with traps doors and hidden passage ways. They will surprise us and even themselves with the fun they can create when they are bored. If we stop acting like Cruise Directors determined to fill every moment of their schedules, kids will create fun and play and magic with their friends, siblings, and even on their own. Sometimes, they will even invite us into their worlds and games and let us pay witness to the glorious things they cook-up. When this happens, just dive in and enjoy.
Like anything else, it just takes a little practice. If you swoop in with an activity or “solution” to their boredom every time, of course it is going to be difficult for them to work through things on their own. But they will. The whining will stop and the creativity will flow. Just have a little patience…
Creativity, self-reliance, self-direction, problem-solving — all of these skills are the hallmarks of a successful adult. They are also all things that children can learn through play and finding their way out of boredom. Let’s face it — coping with boredom is a life skill that everyone should have, so why not foster it now?
The theater of the mind is a powerful thing — I would hate to see what my life would be like if I wasn’t able to tap into that. How about you? So, next time you are tempted to play Cruise Director, stop yourself. Take a step back, and let boredom blossom into whatever comes next.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have a box of 64 crayons that is just begging to take me on an adventure. It would be rude of me to refuse.
See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru
photo credit: timlewisnm
Excellent! It’s a good reminder.
Also, I’ve caught myself assuming my kids are bored when they’re not. For example my daughter could literally color/draw all day – she never gets sick of it. I caught myself from trying to be Cruise Director when I realized I was being affected by my own assumptions-like she must be bored & can’t think of anything else to do. But then it struck me, she’s loving what she’s doing. It’s her way of relaxing.
Great post.
A sage post that brings back a time that allowed for imagination to stimulate learning. As my mother always said, a creative mind is a busy and productive mind. Creative “play” in and outdoors…the tree “fort” that was built, camping in the back yard, scratching a hopscotch in the dirt, creating hand puppets with newspaper and homemade glue. Building a rudimentary cardboard box stage for “Punch and Judy”, to entertain the neighbor kids out back. Today’s technology (although welcome) have a place, but should not be a substitute for creativity. Boredom needs to be removed from the dictionary!
Excellent post. Always good to have the reminder. I love true timeless boredom times that are long. The boys truly come up with some interesting things to do. But for short times of downtime or when they need redirecting from the same type of play over and over again ( usually the hysterical kind that involves screaming and tearing up and down stairs) a boredom tub really helps mine remember there are so many things to go try. http://play-activities.com/blog/what-would-you-do/
Love it! Best post yet! I love how you look at old topics in new ways. Incredibly inspiring, as always.
I could not agree more. Boredom is actually the space that kids need to become creative. Since paring down the toys and TV time, my kids have become so inventive. They’ll pretend play with a few stuffed animals or cars for hours. They construct the most amazing things – a paper fish tank filled with paper fish! – and turn trash into true treasure. Fantastic post.
Like the Parker quote, as well as your take on this subject, Bethe. My kids are quite “unscheduled,” which seems to be the exception in our neighborhood. There are moments when I feel I’m doing them a disservice, thus … but then when I see them come together to fill their “down time” (with books, play, nature exploration) or tune in to the make-believe worlds they create independently, I’m left smiling. Their self-esteems, their sense of humor: among the things that are richer because of boredom.
Bethe, this post is timely. I am on vacation in a cabin in the woods on a lake in Northern Michigan, with some members of my extended family. I have 3 great-nieces and nephews, and today it’s raining. We’ve been creating and playing in a way that would not have happened without the rain. I remember when I was a child – loving the energy and mood of a rainy day without playing outside. I love your take on boredom – it’s where our spirit is invited to create, love, and dance. Thanks for reminding me. Your fabulous writing describes how I feel precisely.
Bethe, another wonderful post, “Children will blossom if we step back and let them be — give them the time and space they need to rely on themselves and their beautiful, natural-born creativity, ingenuity, and imagination” – I couldn’t agree more!
So many children nowadays are entertained from the minute they get up to the time they go to bed, becoming incapable of entertaining themselves.
Can’t wait to read your next post, what a gifted writer you are!
Thanks for all the kind words on the post, y’all! I think it is such an important topic, and I am really glad that so many of you concur with my sentiments. Yay for the pro-boredom movement!
I am amazed that so many children today are bored — that they don’t know how to simply play – to go outside and explore or make up games of their own. Each child has the capacity to do so, we just have to give them a chance to do it, and let it happen. I know parents are being conditioned to structure-structure-structure, but we have to give the knowledge and the tools to NOT do that. Thanks for helping me spread the word!
3 cheers for boredom and my TGSG readers — the best folks around!
Imagine…children, parents and friends spending every weekend camped out somewhere on a river’s edge, just the river, sticks and stones, and the chance to become aquainted with the world in which we live.
RT @gosner: The Grass Stain Guru’s @balmeras thinking about the benefits of boredom: http://bit.ly/18feUe Love Bethe, love this!
Beautifully said!
In our house when someone says “I’m bored” (this includes playmates) I provide a chore to keep them “entertained.” This is what my mother did and I continue the family tradition. Works like a charm!
Thanks for the beautiful blog….so true & a good reminder during these long-late-summer-days.
RT @tweetmeme Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/Dw4Ft So, let your kids get bored this summer!
RT @tweetmeme Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/Dw4Ft So, let your kids get bored this summer!
This post is so refreshing. My child is only 2, but he does not watch ANY television and I swear he finds things to occupy himself with. He builds, he draws, he sings… he may whine when bored, but he finds a way out and it is so lovely to watch!
RT @tweetmeme Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/Dw4Ft
Yep…boredom this summer has led to the building of a ping-pong table and the cleaning of the “museum” (fort converted into a natural history muesum:)
Love this post!
Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! It encourages creativity, self reliance and problem solving skills. – http://tinyurl.com/mkgzfz
RT @tweetmeme Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! | The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/Dw4Ft
a great blog post pointed out to me…the value of boredom as a springboard to creativity in kids http://bit.ly/3PBkQd
RT @toddkashdan a great blog post pointed out to me…the value of boredom as a springboard to creativity in kids http://bit.ly/3PBkQd
RT @toddkashdan: a great blog post pointed out to me…the value of boredom as a springboard to creativity in kids http://bit.ly/3PBkQd
Bethe, I really enjoyed your blog post and you are right, it converges beautifully with my work on curiosity. I wrote my book on curiosity (and boredom) with the intention of explaining how it is relevant for parenting, how it is relevant to developing and sustaining friendships and romances, and how it is relevant to thriving at work.
In a succinct manner, you do a killer job at pointing out that boredom is not something for parents to remove from their children’s lives as if its an obstacle to their cognitive, emotional, and physical development. At times, boredom aids their development.
cheers,
Todd
http://www.toddkashdan.com
RT @toddkashdan a great blog post…the value of boredom as a springboard to creativity in kids http://bit.ly/3PBkQd #parenting #children
Thanks for stopping by, Todd. Very kind of you. I am really looking forward to reading your book and will share it with my readers when I do so. Cheers- Bethe
Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/c8OGG via @AddToAny
Reminder: Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL #parent #playoutdoors #play
RT @balmeras: Reminder: Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL #parent #playoutdoors #play
“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” – Dorothy Parker http://bit.ly/1WbuRL
RT @balmeras: “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” – Dorothy Parker http://bit.ly/1WbuRL
RT @balmeras “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” – Dorothy Parker http://bit.ly/1WbuRL <timely post 4 me!>
RT @balmeras Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL [couldn't agree more!]
RT @balmeras: “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” – Dorothy Parker http://bit.ly/1WbuRL
RT @balmeras Reminder: Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL #parent #playoutdoors #play
RT @balmeras: “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” – Dorothy Parker http://bit.ly/1WbuRL
I love having a little time to be bored. I absolutely agree with your take on this Bethe, thanks for writing it
Alison Kerr´s last blog ..Favorite Backyard Animal Nominations
@GoExploreNature @littlehumbugs @activekidsclub @little_nutmeg <- Three cheers for boredom! Thanks all! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL
“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” Dorothy Parker http://bit.ly/1WbuRL <Oldie but a goodie from @balmeras>
Reminder: Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL #parent #playoutdoors #play
Reminder: Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL #parent #playoutdoors #play
Reminder: Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL #parent #playoutdoors #play
Reminder: Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL #parent #playoutdoors #play
Reminder: Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL #parent #playoutdoors #play
RT @klsnature: “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” Dorothy Parker http://bit.ly/1WbuRL Nice @balmeras post!
RT @klsnature "Cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” Dorothy Parker http://bit.ly/1WbuRL via @balmeras <Great!
RT @balmeras Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL
RT @balmeras Boredom is NOT a 4-Letter Word! http://bit.ly/1WbuRL
Great minds think alike! Do you think that is because we were allowed to experience moments of boredom as kids?
I love this, Bethe:
“Creativity, self-reliance, self-direction, problem-solving — all of these skills are the hallmarks of a successful adult. They are also all things that children can learn through play and finding their way out of boredom.”
Nicely put.
Emily Geizer´s last blog ..Never Play With Your Kids Again