When your child says, “I’m bored,” what do you usually do?

“Amma, I’m bored.” “Appa, I’m bored.” How often do you hear this from your child? And what do we usually do? We look for something to give them — a phone, YouTube, a game, an activity or something else to keep them occupied. But what if boredom isn't always a problem we need to solve? In this episode of Growing Minds, Staney looks at what may be happening psychologically when children constantly seek stimulation, and why unstructured time, play, imagination and self-directed activity can be important for a developing child. Drawing on Donald Winnicott's ideas about the capacity to be alone and the importance of play, we explore a simple question: Are we sometimes becoming our children's entertainment managers? One Insight Boredom is not always a problem to solve. Sometimes it can create space for imagination, exploration and self-directed activity. One Takeaway Don't rush to fill every empty moment in your child's day. One Good Conversation The next time your child says, “I'm bored,” instead of immediately asking, “What do you want to watch?”, try asking: “I know you're bored. What can you think of doing?” And give them some time. This is Growing Minds — for parents, teachers and anyone who wants to understand not just what children are doing, but how their minds are growing. ATMANAM – Inside the Therapy Room Pinned Comment When your child says, “I’m bored,” what do you usually do? Do you give them a screen, suggest an activity, or leave them to figure something out? I'd love to hear what happens in your home. And here's the question I want you to think about: Are we giving children enough opportunities to discover what they can do on their own? Share your experience in the comments. Hashtags #GrowingMinds #ChildPsychology #Parenting #ParentingTips #ChildDevelopment #Boredom #ScreenTime #ConsciousParenting #Play #ChildBehaviour #Psychology #ATMANAM YouTube Tags child psychology, parenting, child development, bored child, I'm bored child, why is my child always bored, child needs entertainment, screen time children, children and boredom, boredom in children, unstructured play, child behaviour, parenting tips, conscious parenting, Donald Winnicott, Winnicott play, capacity to be alone, psychology for parents, parenting psychology, child psychology India, Growing Minds, ATMANAM