What the Heck Happened to Boredom?

I want to talk about something that might feel... old-fashioned. But in today’s world, it’s one of the most radical things we can do as parents.

We’re talking about boredom.

That old enemy of childhood—the one we’ve been trying so hard to avoid. But what if it’s not the enemy at all? What if it’s the very invitation we’ve been missing?

Let’s talk about it.

What Happened to Boredom?

No, seriously—what the heck happened to it?

As a kid, boredom was just part of life. We didn’t have smartphones or social media. There was no scrolling to numb our brains, no curated playlists to fix the vibe, no texting mom from across the house to say, “I’m bored.”

And even if we could have? Mom wasn’t coming to the rescue.

If you dared to say you were bored, she hit you with the classic:

“I’ve got some chores you can do.”

Savage. But effective.

Because back then, boredom wasn’t a problem—it was a catalyst. It forced us outside. It made us build. It made us imagine. It made us move.

My Story: Swamp Grass & Frog Eggs

I grew up on a fisherman’s island in southeast Florida. Tiny town. One drawbridge. Our house? Sardine-can small. One bathroom. Eight people. Tin roof that turned our bedrooms into sweatboxes by noon.

We didn’t just want to be outside—we had to be. Thank God for that.

Because outside is where we learned how to live.

We had an acre of palmettos out back—and that patch of dirt and swamp? It was our mission field. We packed baloney sandwiches, grabbed rope, and yes—a machete. (Somewhere, a helicopter parent just gasped. Relax. The palm fronds were sharper than the blade.)

Half the year, our yard turned into a swamp. Frogs. Mud. Mosquitoes so loud we had to sleep with a shop fan just to cope.

I still remember the smell of swampy grass… and the squish of frog eggs between my toes. Gross. But also? Sacred.

Because that mess, that boredom, that space—it built something in me.

Boredom Was Shaping Us

We didn’t know it at the time… But boredom was shaping us. It trained our minds to explore. It stirred up passions we didn’t know we had. It taught us to build, try, and fail forward.

That kind of boredom made us:

• Builders
• Storytellers
• Survivors
• Problem-solvers

Today’s Kids Aren’t Building. They’re Scrolling.

Swiping through someone else’s creativity—while their own lies buried beneath dopamine loops.

And we wonder why they’re anxious. Why they’re angry. Why they feel lost.

The Stats Are Screaming at Us

Teen mental health is in crisis. Anxiety, depression, self-harm—skyrocketing since smartphones took over.

Kids are taking longer to mature. Attention spans are shrinking. Empathy is lower. Apathy is higher. They’re overexposed and underdeveloped.

And it’s not because they’re weak—it’s because they’re overstimulated and under-discipled.

We’ve taken away the silence that helps them hear God. We’ve removed the discomfort that teaches them to press in. We’ve replaced it with noise—and now we wonder why they feel lost.

We Didn’t Just Take Boredom Away. We Replaced It.

With:

• Noise
• Distraction
• Digital pacifiers

We handed them screens and said:

“Here, just sit still.” “Here, don’t bother me.” “Here, let me fix your feelings.”

And listen—I’ve done it too.

I’ve handed my toddler a phone at a restaurant. I’ve flipped on a screen in the car. I’ve scrolled while my kids sat beside me, wanting my eyes and getting my silence.

Because it’s easier.

But … What’s the cost of easy?

So What Do We Do? We Bring Boredom Back.

No, we’re not smashing iPads. But we are making space again.

We’re going to:

• Let silence breathe
• Let stillness stretch
• Let discomfort lead to discovery

1. Limit Media

Draw the boundary—and hold it. The moment they say “I’m bored,” you’re one step closer to breakthrough.

2. Require Time Outside

Let them dig. Climb. Sweat. There’s something holy about scraped knees and muddy hands.

3. Be Active With Them

Don’t just send them to live life—go live it with them. Play. Cook. Read. Walk. Be present.

4. No Media at the Table

Replace screens with conversation. If it feels awkward, use the RPS Conversation Starters.

👉 Get the Countercultural Cards for Ages 14+

👉Get the Conversational Cards for all ages

5. Give Them Purpose

Chores. Projects. Creative challenges. Let them feel the beauty of building something real.

Let’s Be Countercultural Parents

Let’s detox the noise. Let’s reclaim the quiet. Let’s raise kids who:

• Can sit in silence
• Can hear the Lord
• Can build with their hands
• Can walk in boldness and fire

Let them be bored.

Because boredom isn’t the enemy— It’s the invitation.

To seek. To wrestle. To wonder. To create. To hear God—not in the chaos, but in the stillness.

Free Resource for You

Grab your free 10-card sampler of Rebel Parents Society’s Faith-Filled Conversation Starters at rebelparentssociety.com and start reclaiming the dinner table tonight.

Let’s raise a generation that knows who they are— Because they’ve had time to listen.

Thanks for following along with the Rebel Parents Society Blogcast. If this stirred something in you, share it with another bold parent who’s ready to raise kids with purpose.

We’re in this together.