Experiencing Boredom with No Screens Offered: Building Internal Entertainment Skills

Last Saturday, my 8-year-old sat on the couch staring at nothing, looking utterly bored. It was a rainy afternoon, and she’d already read her book, played with her toys, and completed her chores. She looked at me with that familiar expression and asked, “Mom, can I have screen time?” I’d been practicing the Life-Ready approach, so I said, “I see you’re feeling bored. What could you do to entertain yourself?” The look of confusion and slight panic on her face told me we had a perfect opportunity to practice internal entertainment in a low-stakes environment. ...

January 7, 2026 · 11 min · 2145 words · Ojakee Team