When I was young, I learned never to say “I’m bored” to my mom. If I did, she’d remind me that she had plenty of ideas to help cure my boredom—and they all involved chores. I quickly learned to say, “Never mind, I have an idea!” and ran off to entertain myself. Looking back, those were the moments when creativity and independence were born.

Boredom is actually a valuable emotional experience for kids. Nowadays, when people (myself included) feel bored, we often just pick up our phones—whether we’re waiting at the doctor’s office, in line at the store, or even at a long red light. But when we constantly distract ourselves, we miss out on opportunities for self-reflection, creativity, and imagination. According to the London Children’s Museum, boredom challenges children to think in new ways and invent their own activities. It becomes a space for creativity and curiosity to flourish. Similarly, the Parenting Research Centre explains that boredom can build resilience and help children become more self-sufficient problem solvers.

Boredom also plays a critical role in emotional development. When kids are given time to just “be,” they begin to notice their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas without outside noise. This strengthens their ability to self-regulate, build independence, and develop patience—all important skills for navigating school, relationships, and eventually adulthood. Boredom encourages decision-making, initiative, and even confidence. When a child figures out how to fill her time in meaningful or imaginative ways, she builds a quiet sense of capability.

So, the next time your child says, “I’m bored,” take a breath and embrace it. Let them feel it, move through it, and discover what lies on the other side. Or go ahead and assign them that chore—and you can bet next time they’ll figure out, on their own, what to do with their time. You might be surprised by what they come up with.