Bored Teenagers and Too Much Entertainment: Finding Balance as a Family
Decades ago, no one would have ever guessed that we would end up with too much entertainment. From the countless programs on Netflix and cable television to the endless free entertainment on Youtube, there is no shortage of digital media. Yet, it seems that teen issues with boredom are worse than ever. If you have bored teenagers hanging around the house wasting time, you’re not alone.
Too Much of a Good Thing: An Abundance of Entertainment
It isn’t just teens who are bored and wasting precious time. How often have you relaxed on the couch and started browsing Netflix only to realize you’re still trying to pick a movie 15 minutes later? Having too much to choose from forces us to spend time making a decision, and most of these decisions have no effect on our lives overall.
I love this say: Only Boring People Get Bored!
The Beauty of Boredom: Encouraging Productivity and Reflection
1. Give Them Some Chores
Those of us who are older still remember the days before the internet, when bored teenagers were given extra chores if they complained about having nothing to do. Assigning a reasonable portion of the household responsibilities to your kids will help them find and maintain balance.
2. Making Books a Part of the Conversation
Despite the overstimulating nature of the online world, plenty of teenagers are still reading books. This is a wonderful thing, but too many kids are still lacking the joy of reading in their lives. If your teen isn’t a reader, you can start a reward program to get them into it, such as offering a special treat every time a book is finished. Being well read will help with developing teen esteem.
3. Get Outside as a Family
There is nothing healthier for teen esteem than spending time outdoors. This is one reason that sending kids to camp for the summer can be so beneficial. However, you can maintain balance by getting outside as a family all year round, whether you’re playing in the snow, swimming at the lake or simply walking the dogs around the neighborhood.
