People I meet tell me that their children are bored. Our society has produced a generation filled with young and old individuals who don’t enjoy the things they do. They are discontented with life, its activities, and learning.
Why are we like this? How did we get here? What can we do about it?
Our society as a whole is addicted to the media. We watch too much television and we have overdosed with entertainment. People do not know how to relax and have fun without pushing an entertainment button to watch a program. One program leads us to remote clicking and channel changes taking us captive for hours.
Computers, which were supposed to make our lives easier, consume our thoughts, and win our hearts, as we stare at the screen playing games, and hitting the social media sites. They now are a part of our required daily school curriculum and are the focus of our free time as well. We are comfortably addicted to electronics.
Cell phones no longer are just for calling parents when late at an activity but are mini-computers for Internet access, texting, playing games, and connecting with the world. Students can multi-task by texting while walking to school, doing homework, or sitting in class. Do I approve of these things? No! However, it is a fact that electronic usage is out of control.
I grew up in an environment where I was never bored. I believe that one source of our children’s boredom is their constant need to have the entertainment to occupy their time.
When we can’t live without something, that something drives us to lust. Our lust for the media and electronics controls us. “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart “ (2 Timothy 2:22).
What can we do to get a hold on this problem?
- Make reasonable family rules for the television, computer, and cell phones
- Talk about the guidelines and reasons for making them
- Plan down time activities such as active outside playing or board games inside
- Involve the children in projects such as baking, painting a room or planting a garden
- Schedule time to do things together
- Read books
- Sing, play acting games, plan field trips, and go for long walks together
- Teach them not to use the word ‘bored’
- Make family time fun
- Set a positive example for your child or children
Boredom is a hard problem to conquer. Set reachable goals for changing your use of time first, then set small goals to help your child change. Be consistent. Take time to pray about the problem and ask God to help you make your goals and reach them.
Promises: But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1Timothy 6:6) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Partnering with God: Dear Lord Jesus, My child complains of boredom. I see where I have allowed this problem to exist in my family. Instead of spending quality time, having fun, and participating in family activities, I allowed electronics to consume our time. Forgive me, Lord. You can change me and make all things new. Show me where to start and the steps to take towards change. Help us to put You in control of all our activities. Protect my family from the evils of addiction and from society’s grasp on our lives with electronics. Change us and help us to be content in all the blessings you give us.