Inside: This magical invention will transform your bored kid into a happy kid. And the best part? After the first time, it requires zero effort on your part.
We’ve hit a new phase in the last few weeks: “Mom, I’m bored.”
Previous phases included “I know that” and “I don’t care,” which we dealt with by redirecting our 5-year-old to say “I know” (in a non-know-it-all tone) and “That’s okay,” respectively.
At first, I thought we could handle the “bored kid” phenomenon the same way. I asked her to try this instead: “Mom, can you help me find something to do?”
But it turns out when you’re in the middle of loading the dishwasher or paying bills or binge-watching New Girl, it’s hard to switch gears and come up with something fun for your kid to do.
Bored Kid? Meet the Bored Jar
I came across this magical invention and knew I had to make one.
Here’s the basic idea:
- Get a jar and some jumbo popsicle sticks.
- (Optional) Decorate one side of the popsicle sticks with washi tape.*
- Write ideas for fun stuff to do on the popsicle sticks, and put them in the jar (hereafter referred to as the Bored Jar).
- When your kid says she’s bored, point to the Bored Jar.
- Your kid picks a stick and does what it says. PROBLEM SOLVED.
* I am not a crafty person, but I figured even I could handle sticking washi tape on popsicle sticks. It’s not necessary for your Bored Jar – some people even use slips of paper instead of popsicle sticks. So I’m pretty much an overachiever.
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I’m a mom of four, a recovering perfectionist, and the author of Happy You, Happy Family. Parenting is hard enough without all the guilt we heap on top of ourselves. So let’s stop trying to be perfect parents and just be real ones. Sound good? Join my mailing list and as a bonus, you’ll get 25+ incredibly helpful cheat sheets that will ease your parenting struggles.