Let There Be Boredom

This post is dedicated to all of the moms out there who have their kids say "I'm bored" at least a thousand times. I am among those moms and I tell you every time I hear those two words it still frustrates me to no end.  I no longer want to be solely responsible for being or finding the entertainment for my precious kiddos. The last time I heard this annoyingly, popular phrase was while we were on vacation in Florida.  Now mind you, we live in the Midwest so it was fairly cold and we were blessed enough to be in sunshine so I thought all would be well.  Well, I thought wrong.My kids were in the pool, the weather was amazing, what more could you ask for? Right? Wrong...my kids were still bored and I thought to myself, "HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?" Unfortunately, we don't have to be on vacation for them to be bored. I hear those words at home too. We have iPads, game systems (a few might I add), bikes, toys, etc. so what could be the problem?Well, I think I have the answer. Our kids are so used to being entertained every minute of the day that they are less and less creative. Technology, video games, and television are among the things that keep them overly occupied.I'm proposing that we encourage them to be bored. So the next time they utter those dreadful, yet common words, we respond by saying "Good, be bored." That response will force them to learn to entertain themselves. Be consistent, be firm, be pleasant, and smile. After going through this routine at least 4 to 5 times the kiddos will learn that boredom isn't so bad after all.Now, once you have told your children it's okay to be bored, you will be tested. Don't be surprised what they come up with and your house may be a mess once they have found their inner creative. But that will be a lesson for you to learn as well and then it's an all around win for everyone.