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Sarah M
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What do you say to your kids (specifically, young ones- say, 4 and 6 years old) when they claim boredom? We have turned off the TV for Lent, and I hope the boredom thing will wane soon (I've noticed that when we watch too much TV, the kids are bored more often at other times during the day). In the meantime, my "Well, I'm sure you'll find some way to solve that problem," answer isn't cutting it. My 6 year old just follows me around and doesn't *do* a whole lot unless I'm engaging her...
Any ideas?
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joann10
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It might be a good idea to keep a list of different things that the kids can do independently, and have them choose something from that list. Or you could put ideas printed on slips of paper in a jar and have them pick one when they are bored.
It always takes by kids a few days of "no tv" to get over the boredom and remember how to entertain themselves for any length of time. Your kids are still so young though- they made need more help from you until they settle into a new routine.
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JodieLyn
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My mom's answer was to give a extra chore to do.. it usually solved the problem rather rapidly 
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SallyT
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I actually forbade my kids to use the "B" word after a while -- too often I think it's just a reflex, to fill in a blank space in their minds.
I wasn't all that serious about it, actually -- just made one of those "The Queen Mother Will Now Pontificate" decrees that the B-word was henceforth banned from all use within my borders. And I never punished anyone for using it, just went "You're using the dreaded B-word." And the children began to enjoy calling each other on it, which in its own way became almost as annoying as the B-word itself . . .
But for something that was a joke, it kind of worked. My kids don't use the B-word often.
My other tactic is just to ignore them when they say it. If I suggest something to do, it will be as if I had suggested that they pull out their toenails, but if I don't say or do anything or respond in any way, they give up and find something to do. As with bickering, I find that the less I get sucked in, the more they are able to find a way out of it themselves. If I don't react to their boredom as if it were a problem to be solved, then somehow it's not a problem.
And I agree that tv feeds the "entertain me" mentality big-time, in ways that even the computer (we don't have a tv, obviously do have a computer!) does not. A few days' weaning ought to make a difference in the "boredom" level.
HTH!
Sally
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folklaur
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SallyT wrote:
"The Queen Mother Will Now Pontificate"
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cvbmom
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JodieLyn wrote:
| My mom's answer was to give a extra chore to do.. it usually solved the problem rather rapidly |
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That's our answer
Funny how they find something VERY quickly when I say that I have a nice chore list of things they could chose from.
God bless,
Christine
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MaryM
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Maybe after reading this book they will build an airplane! Bored - Nothing to Do! - Peter Spier
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lapazfarm
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JodieLyn wrote:
| My mom's answer was to give a extra chore to do.. it usually solved the problem rather rapidly |
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That's what I do, too. But at ages 4 and 6 I'd give them a few choices first. In other words, "you can play with your cars, build a tower with your blocks, or get out the play-doh. Or I know of a floor that needs scrubbing. You choose."
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SeaStar
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Somewhere I read that the perfect response should be: "You're bored? That's great! That means you have lots of time to be creative."
I don't know that younger kids would understand that, though. I like Theresa's idea.
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SimplyMom
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lapazfarm wrote:
JodieLyn wrote:
| My mom's answer was to give a extra chore to do.. it usually solved the problem rather rapidly |
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That's what I do, too. But at ages 4 and 6 I'd give them a few choices first. In other words, "you can play with your cars, build a tower with your blocks, or get out the play-doh. Or I know of a floor that needs scrubbing. You choose." |
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That is almost exactly what we do.
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chicken lady
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I say, "Oh I am so glad, I need clothes folded, toilets wiped down, socks paired etc." Then I have them do the chore. My dc NEVER tell me they are bored Yes, even at 4 and 6! Children learn early.
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Angi
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I take away a toy - assuming if they are bored, the toys are not serving their purpose.
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Servant2theKing
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I've always told our dc, "only unintelligent people with no creativity claim to be bored"...usually that inspires them to go off and utilize their intelligence and creativity, especially since they're wise to the fact that the next stage is extra chores, of the less pleasant sort! :)
I really like the "Queen Mother will now Pontificate"!!! I'm off to work on a scepter and crown!
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VeronicaB
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I read a great line:
There are two sorts of people in the world, those who watch adventures and those who have adventures. Which one do you want to be?
Haven't tried it yet - mine are pretty young and don't watch much tv anyway. Can usually distract with offers of food/outings/play/...
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pixilated_momma
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Depending on my mood, I'll answer:
* It's okay to be bored. Just sit and relax. You'll get an idea of what to do.
Or, if I'm in a sassier mood:
"Bored? With all the toys and books you have? Use them or we'll get rid of them all."  This last one gets them scampering to play. I try not to say "donate" though because that's totally the wrong idea. They get the idea.
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pixilated_momma
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Oh, I forgot to add something! LOL
In our house, I have a little cabinet (an itty bitty one) that I try and keep stocked with stuff that I find that is fun. It has play dough, all sorts of colored paper and pencils, paper dolls, etc. (stuff that I get for $1 at our local discount store). It's child-proof (for the baby), but when he's napping, I let them open it up and choose something. That helps them.
Also, just having crayons, pencils, paper, stencils, etc. strewn on the kitchen counter always seems to invite fun. I try to have some stuff out on the counter sometimes to catch their attention. I won't actually say, "Hey, kiddie, come 'ere and play with this stencil" but I'll just leave it there. Kids always find the stuff.
If that doesn't catch their eye, well ... See my previous post for my comment. Fortunately, I *rarely* hear "I'm bored." 
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Veronica Maria
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: I'm bored!
