Psychology Today | 20.05.2026 23:41
For many children, summer opens the door to more relaxed schedules, travel to different locations, visiting relatives, and expanded time to choose their activities. Initially, this freedom is a welcome relief from the constricted settings of the school year. But after a brief honeymoon period, many parents start to hear the dreaded words, “I’m bored.” The first response may offer possible solutions, activities the kids enjoy or have been talking about, options to visit friends, things that need to be done for chores, or self-care. Kids might reply with silence or say that the suggestion doesn’t sound good or fun. Children can stay in this state of tension for hours, torn between wanting something to do and not finding anything satisfying enough to actually pursue. It’s painful for everyone.
