Hey Parents, Is Tech Stealing the Joy of Boredom From Our Kids
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- Child looking at a clock, appearing happy
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Hey Parents, Is Tech Stealing the Joy of Boredom From Our Kids?
Discover a Simple Way to Spark Your Child’s Creativity Away from Screens
Did You Know? Tech Overload Is Impacting Our Creativity
Life isn’t boring. At least, it shouldn’t be. It’s an adventure! But how often do you hear your kids complaining about being bored? In today’s world, kids often jump from one quick entertainment fix to the next, courtesy of instant digital gratification.
When I hear the words, “I’m bored,” I instantly think about the world our kids are growing up in today. They have flashy, instant, 10 second bursts of entertainment at their fingertips all. the. time. And then it’s on to the next, on to the next, on to the next.
Gone are the simpler times of letting imagination run wild in a waiting room at the doctor’s office or getting creative when there’s “nothing good on TV.” Instead, streaming and instant access to digital content have become the norm wherever you go.
It’s pretty rare to find kids that aren’t in touch with technology these days and the instantaneous effects it has on us.
According to the director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Boston’s Children’s Hospital,
*“Children need a diverse menu of online and offline experiences, including the chance to let their minds wander. Boredom is the space in which creativity and imagination happen.” *
Even if you follow the best parenting advice,you can’t simply escape technology—it’s part of our lives. And it can be used in a lot of positive parenting techniques. But, it’s also stifling our kids’ creativity and drive. The fast pace of digital content means less time dreaming up their own worlds or finding joy in what’s around them.
The best parenting advice often includes understanding the importance of creativity and time away from screens. Life is about experiences and how we see each moment—bored or inspired, motivated or not. When we’re swamped with digital stimuli, we’re shrinking the opportunities our kids have to just live in the moment and create.
Looking for an easy way to motivate your kids beyond the screen? I’ve got a positive parenting technique for you to try.
Happy Life System Parenting Technique: The Fresh Start Clock
When kids are feeling bored or unmotivated, it’s usually because:
- They’re overwhelmed — there’s too much noise or stimulus going on in their life, and they need a reset.
- They’re in “do mode” instead of “be mode.” They need connection with themselves.
So, what do you do as a parent to help your child become motivated or feel inspired away from technology?
A simple, effective way to do this is something I call the Fresh Clock Start.__* *__This is a fun way to add moments of gratitude throughout your day.
Ready to take a pause from technology with your kids and focus on gratitude? Here’s what to do:
- Use a special clock or set alarms on your phone at meaningful times (if using a phone, leave it in another room or set it aside once it goes off).
- For each alarm, label it with a simple, gratitude-focused action like:
- 11 am: Share one thing about your life you are grateful for.
- 2 pm: Reflect on one positive part of your day.
- 5 pm: Celebrate one positive thing that you accomplished today.
- 8 pm: Say one thing you love about yourself.
These statements spark a “fresh start” mentality that gets your kids feeling present and grateful. Research shows they even release dopamine, the “feel-good chemical,” that makes us feel happier and signals that something good is happening. It’s like setting up a positivity loop—motivation and appreciation keep feeding into each other, which is so important for encouraging a happy, creative life away from screens.
Give it a try, and please share with me what you find! The best parenting advice shows that happy parenting and happy kids start with us. You’ve got this.