I’m an old guy now.
Officially.
Not really — at least I don’t think so — but to some.
My kids are grown. Out of the house.
Recently, we were having a meeting about church activities and a young man said, “We should get some of the older people in the church involved.”
He meant people my age. I guess “older” isn’t old, but it certainly felt that way at the time.
But, us old guys have learned a few things. And, so here is a word from the old guy.
To parents. Parents who are younger. With younger children.
Here goes…
It’s okay for your child to be bored.
There. I said it. See how old I am?
It’s okay for some time to pass where your children has nothing to do. Where they have no toys — or electronics — nothing to entertain them.
It’s okay for your child to be occasionally bored. It won’t hurt them. It might help them.
I’m a people watcher. It doesn’t seem some parents know this. The children are always being entertained. In the restaurant they have your phone — or their own phone. In the car they have a video rolling. In the store they are often being occupied by something electronic.
They never seem to be bored. If they get bored it seems most of you scramble for a way to quickly entertain them.
And what I’m suggesting is that it’s good for your child to be bored.
Really, it is.
There will be days — when they aren’t ‘being entertained all the time — they might play with sticks. Get their hands dirty. Or, they might just create something new. They could invent a new game. Expand their imagination.
And, in high school — college — in their first job — they’ll get bored. It’s okay. They’ll know what to do — and what not to do — when that occurs.
Don’t misunderstand. Exposing your children to exciting things is fun. The Disney experience can be magical. Enjoy it. I encourage you too if you can, but you don’t have to try to maintain that level of excitement when you come home. It makes Disney even less magical. Occasionally let them be bored. That’s all I’m suggesting.
And, the old guy spoke.
I know — none of my business. And, you can dismiss it as quickly as it took you to read.
But, for some of you — maybe just one — trust me in this.
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