Boredom can be hard. It is equally easy to avoid the benefits of boredom with technological distraction all around. I’ve been working on putting my phone down more, usually at night when I’m tired. I’ve become more aware of my inner life as a result, and it’s lovely to reconnect to this part of myself.
Boredom has crept my kids’ vocabulary. Their favorite go-tos are not as fun for them anymore. Seven was has made attempts to branch out, but he’s quickly been drawn back to what he knows. His brother Five usually follows.
Yesterday Seven wandered in the kitchen and exclaimed: I wanna make something.” What it was he did not yet know. We’ve done some baking in the past; more a set up of the grown-ups involved. Lots of rule following and steps.
So he wandered a bit, then said “I know! Can you get the eggs out?” I took a second to remind myself I need it to let go of the outcome if anything productive for my kids was going to happen. So we brought out the eggs and I let go of an agenda, while the boys went to town.
They experimented with herbs and spices, and different containers to put the eggs in. They figured out how to crack eggs and separate the yolk on their own (which included tons of egg everywhere), I showed seven how to use the microwave when he was getting impatient with me not being able to help him straight away. The result was them being ecstatic about their new egg concoctions. And being the taster, I have to say they found some creative ways to make the egg yolk so it was perfectly soft, but not too runny. My favorite.
When their dad got home they immediately crowded it around him and excitedly told him about their egg adventures. At that moment I really understood how important it is to almost always, if possible, let the children lead the way.
Seven continues to ask to cook, because it “makes the boredom go away.”. I hope to draw back on this experience when my kids are in a funk and I start getting concerned about how to help them out of it or what fun thing could I introduce them to. Instead, it’s okay to take a pause and see what happens.
