Question
Lately my 8yo son has been constantly getting home and saying “so what are we gonna do? I don’t want to be bored?”
After we do an activity, or after eating or just finished a movie: “so what can I do now? I’m bored”.
IT BOILS MY BLOOD!
I’ve been slowly trying to encourage him to do his own thing, because he drains my energy with his energy levels.
What's the best response?
I know that his neurodiverse brain struggles with this so I want to help him now so that when he is older he can realize what is going on.
Answer
What can you say to help him with "I"m bored"?
Define what bored means.
Tell him, "your brain is telling you it's bored because it wants you to look for something to keep it interested. How many ideas can you come up with now to help your brain not be bored?"
Then wait and see what he comes up with. If there is one that can happen in the moment, congratulate him and send him on his way.
If he gets stuck, come up with ideas as well.
The key is to help him find productive and safe ways to manage that boredom feeling.
BUT also to understand that a neurodiverse brain can get stuck and not be able to come up with new ideas when it is bored.
Another thing you can do is come up with lists of things he can do when he’s bored and…
Alone
With Friends
With Parents
With sibling
Inside
Outside
Have it handy and keep adding to these lists...
Hang in there!