I don’t know about you, but boredom isn’t restricted to summertime in my home. While some days we have homework and dinners out and sports and hang out time with friends, other days my kids come home and immediately have nothing to do. Which leads to bickering. Aaand complaining. And ungratefulness. It’s ugly, ya’ll. When boredom goes unaddressed in my home– the results are ugly.
The Message version of Proverbs 31:27-28 is fuel for me: “She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise.” Cue the choir.
The NIV puts it this way, “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Well, I’m not serving any of that bread, either!
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have any desire for my children to be busy for the sake of being busy. Honestly, family movie nights are almost weekly in our home! And we’re still learning how to “sabbath” well (the struggle is real). But, I want to teach them how to combat boredom and idleness. I also believe this issue is how the enemy often comes in with that stinky root of entitlement.
Only those who want everything done for them are bored.
Billy Graham
Here’s one thing we do in our home that has effectively beat idleness and boredom, and I hope it gives you some ideas for yours!
We use an “I’m Bored Jar.” It’s simple. If ever I hear my kids say they’re bored, which usually sounds more like “Mooo-ooom!! I’m soooooo (insert dramatic sigh) boooored,” they choose a stick from the jar. I have mixed in creative activities with chores, play, service projects, and even time with mom. But the things in our jar they can do predominately by themselves (obviously they’ll vary with age).
For anyone stressing or eye-rolling or having mom-guilt or feeling like a less than stellar parent, my jar is not Pinterest-worthy. It’s an old vase with a water stain in the bottom. My son added “I’m bord” using a marker and ugly tape. He can spell better now (thank you CCA teachers), but why change it at this point? We happened to have colorful popsicle sticks to sharpy on when we made ours. Otherwise, I would have used printer paper.
The next time you hear “I’m bored!” have your kids create their own “I’m bored jar.” Here are some bored jar ideas (currently in our jar).
