What To Do The Next Time Your Kids Say They're Bored

Summer days: Known for beautiful weather, outdoor activities and the infamous phrase, "I'm bored."

Last week, HuffPost Parents blogger Bunmi Laditan expressed the idea that it's okay for kids to be bored. "Being 'bored' means that no one, or more importantly, no devices, are stimulating your mind and you are free to come up with your own entertainment or sit in contemplative silence," Laditan wrote.

However, when explaining that idea to kids doesn't quite work, there are other options. Dr. Laura Markham, a clinical psychologist, joined HuffPost Live to discuss the methods parents can use to curb their child's boredom.

The first line of defense is to engage them. "Send a few minutes connecting with the child," she said. "I don't mean do a project. Sit down on the couch and snuggle up." Dr. Markham says that this method will stimulate the child, and also subtly teach them how to be alone with themselves.

If that doesn't work, she says to help them brainstorm a list of activities, and then add them to a "Boredom Buster Jar."

And if that doesn't work, there's always laundry.

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