Question:

My child complains about being bored and expects me to drop everything to entertain him. What do you suggest?

Answer:

From the Book Positive Discipline A-Z

Understanding Your Child, Yourself, and the Situation

We live in a society where children are used to being entertained. Television and electronic games are major contributors to this dilemma. Children can passively sit and watch “Sesame Street” or play with a video game and be highly entertained. (It is true that “Sesame Street” is educational and that electronic games teach eye-hand coordination; however, they limit creativity, resourcefulness, and proper brain development.) Another contributor is the belief of many parents that they must fix every problem their children have. Children do need our help to become involved in sports, outside interests, hobbies, and other activities (in moderation), but they do not need to be entertained or have their time controlled by parents every minute of the day.