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As we struggle through another round of school holidays this mums post is definitely worth a read!

Mum of three, Amy Weatherly, shares exactly why she refuses to co-ordinate her kids activities and she makes some pretty good points!

“I, Amy Weatherly, REFUSE TO BE MY KIDS’ FUN COORDINATOR. THIS IS NOT A CRUISE SHIP AND I AM NOT THE EVENT DIRECTOR. I AM NOT THE FUN CAPTAIN, OR THE QUEEN OF PINTERST PROJECTS OR THE KEEPER OF THE SECRETS OF NEVER BEING BORED. I AM NOT A GUMBALL MACHINE FILLED WITH MAGIC AND GOOD TIMES.

“I played with dirt and the water hose growing up and I collected rollie pollies in old Pringle’s cans and I had a good ole time. I turned out just fine, depending on who you ask. I have no plans to write an unhappy memoir about all the times my horrible parents refused to fill my schedule with things to do, and told me the answer was “no.” In fact, I kinda still like my parents even though they didn’t give me everything I wanted. Still, a little feisty about not getting that My Kid Sister doll, but whatevs. I’ll get over it when I’m 40.

“I love play dates and water parks and craft stuff just as much as the next mum, but when your kids are whining about being bored, and you feel overwhelmed to spin and twirl and sing and pull out your Mary Poppins bag and paint an instant smile on their pouty faces, remember this:

Two things happen when kids are bored.

1. It forces them to get creative and expand their imagination. Awesome. That’s a nice life-skill to have.

2. It reinforces the concept that they are in charge of their own happiness, learning to be content is an inside job, and they don’t need more things to enjoy life. They understand that they are capable of creating their own fun, and start to figure out that it’s not someone else’s job to present them with everything they could ever want on an expensive silver platter and tied up with a giant red bow. Also, things you can teach them now, or things they can learn the hard way.

“And, admit it. Kids are better at having fun than we are. I climb on my bathroom counter and pluck stray hairs when I want to have a good time, or I sit quietly in my car…like, I just sit there and literally do nothing, and they do things like use a laundry basket as a canoe and fish for sharks in the ocean using curly ribbon and shoes.”

Amy adds, “They win at knowing how to play every time, so never let yourself fall into the trap of feeling guilty for letting them do it.”

Her post attracted over 6400 reactions and 4000 shares.

With many parents commenting how much they love her post and totally agree with it.

Follow Amy on Facebook or Instagram below.


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I, Amy Weatherly, REFUSE TO BE MY KIDS’ FUN COORDINATOR. THIS IS NOT A CRUISE SHIP AND I AM NOT THE EVENT DIRECTOR. I AM NOT THE FUN CAPTAIN, OR THE QUEEN OF PINTERST PROJECTS OR THE KEEPER OF THE SECRETS OF NEVER BEING BORED. I AM NOT A GUMBALL MACHINE FILLED WITH MAGIC AND GOOD TIMES. . . I played with dirt and the water hose growing up and I collected rollie pollies in old Pringle’s cans and I had a good ole time, although I’m pretty sure those poor rollie pollies did not. I turned out just fine, depending on who you ask. I have no plans to write an unhappy memoir about all the times my horrible parents refused to fill my schedule with things to do, and told me the answer was “no.” In fact, I kinda still like my parents even though they didn’t give me everything I wanted. Still, a little feisty about not getting that My Kid Sister doll, but whatevs. I’ll get over it when I’m 40. . . I love play dates and water parks and craft stuff just as much as the next mom, but when your kids are whining about being bored, and you feel overwhelmed to spin and twirl and sing and pull out your Mary Poppins bag and paint an instant smile on their pouty faces, remember this: . . Two things happen when kids are bored. . . 1. It forces them to get creative and expand their imagination. Awesome. . . 2. It reinforces the concept that they are in charge of their own happiness, learning to be content is an inside job, and they don’t need more things to enjoy life. They understand that they are capable of creating their own fun, and start to figure out that it’s not someone else’s job to present them with everything they could ever want on an expensive silver platter and tied up with a giant red bow. Also, things you can teach them now, or things they can learn the hard way. . . And, admit it. Kids are better at having fun than we are. I climb on my bathroom counter and pluck stray hairs when I want to have a good time, or I sit quietly in my car…like, I just sit there and literally do nothing, and they do things like use a laundry basket as a canoe and fish for sharks in the ocean using curly ribbon and shoes. . . They win at knowing how to play.

A post shared by Amy Weatherly (@amyweatherly) on

Do you agree with Amy’s point?

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  • Totally agree

    Reply

  • Totally agree kids lives are non stop in some households ,scheduled to within an inch of their lives. They need to learn how to be happy by themselves or with others doing random things like read a book, play with the dog, clean a room, help cook just being outside in the sunshine riding a bike around the yard. There is enough time in their futures to be run to a time table with work etc Let them be bored it might make them more inquisitive about things around them .

    Reply

  • It depends on the age of the child and what resources are available for them to use their imagination with. In many cases there is literally nowhere safe for a child to play outside. A lot of houses have small rooms with very little safe playing or activity space. Initially children need to be given ideas. It is not safe to let them go down the street without supervision as it was many years ago.

    Reply

  • I think it’s good to balance organizing activities and letting them create their own fun.

    Reply

  • Mostly. I do think it depends on the age of the kids – some help is not a bad thing.

    Reply

  • Occupying children can be difficult but as parents we can also use our imaginations too to help them get creative.

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  • Kids can fill in a day with just their imaginations if we leave them to it, but I think there can be a bit of middle ground. If the whinging starts I throw in a little suggestion, like “what if you were penguins, and the couch is an iceberg”… that’s enough to give them a new idea & off they go!

    Reply

  • My lot have set things that need to be done but otherwise they know what they can do if bored. Most times the bored list is never used.

    Reply

  • When my daughter was younger I would book her in to school holiday activities conducted by our local library. The rest of the time it was up to her to find things to do. I think it’s good to have a balance.

    Reply

  • Honestly I love this so much & I just could not agree more! Let kids be kids! Mud kitchens, swing sets, flower crowns & digging for worms. The “I’m bored” “well go outside & find something to do “ days can make some of the best memories

    Reply

  • Yes I agree, although sometimes kids needs a little nudge or inspiration which we can provide.


    • I agree – kids do need some guidance and ideas at times.

    Reply

  • No issues with boredom and plenty of creativity abound!

    Reply

  • with ya sister

    Reply

  • Definitely great for kids to use their imagination and get creative.

    Reply

  • I’ve read this before that boredom is a good thing and that it gives the opportunity to develop creativity. So yes I agree.

    Reply

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