Mental Health

The most dangerous phrase in the modern parent’s vocabulary might be: “I’m bored.” When a child utters these words, parents often feel an immediate urge to fill the void—schedule an activity, turn on a screen, or organize a playdate. But what if that feeling of boredom is not an enemy to be vanquished, but a crucial ingredient for your child’s cognitive and creative development? Enter the Boredom Metric—a framework for understanding that boredom isn’t just an uncomfortable feeling to be eliminated, but a psychological state that serves as the starting point for some of the most valuable mental processes in a child’s development. Far from being a waste of time, boredom is the mind’s way of resetting and preparing for creative breakthroughs. It’s the pause between movements in a symphony, the silence before inspiration strikes. ...

The term “Tiger Mom” roared into our vocabulary in 2011 with Amy Chua’s memoir, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. It describes a strict, demanding parenting style focused on achieving high levels of academic and extracurricular excellence. This approach is often associated with, but not limited to, parents of East Asian heritage, and it has sparked a global debate about the best way to raise successful children. But after more than a decade of discussion and research, what have we learned? Is the Tiger Mom approach the key to raising high-achieving children, or does it do more harm than good? ...

We’ve all seen it: the eerie, blue-lit glow on a child’s face, their world shrunk to the size of a screen. For modern parents, this image is often accompanied by a wave of guilt and a nagging question: “Is this okay?” The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no. Screen time is a double-edged sword. Wielded without thought, it can be a source of significant harm. But with mindful guidance, it can be a powerful tool for learning, creativity, and connection. ...