When I was growing up I remember often complaining to my parents that I was bored. They would always say, “Go outside, ride your bike, put your roller skates on.” And I did just that; I would ride around my street or lace up my skates. It passed the time and helped ease my boredom. Those memories of my teen nostalgia got me thinking. The world seemed simpler then, less chaotic. What I wouldn’t do to transport my teenagers back to the ‘80s so they could get a glimpse of life less complicated. So they could truly understand what my teen years looked like.
Imagine putting your modern teen back 30 years ago. There was only cable TV; no streaming, you actually had to watch commercials. There was no cell phone, no texting, no Snapchat. The internet was a void, non-existent. So, with all the technology that weaves its way into our daily lives, how can our teens today even dare to complain of boredom? They don’t live in a world where boredom is even relevant. There is something to watch or play, 24 hours a day.
Maybe it’s just because it’s mid-summer that the “I’m bored” phrase is milling around my house. Lots of laziness, video gaming, TV show binging and complaining of nothing to do. When I look at my teenagers sometimes, enthralled with their tech gadgets, I often want to scream, “go outside, go play basketball, get some vitamin D.” But I have reluctantly admitted to myself that going outside isn’t a natural instinct of theirs. Sometimes I think they are vampires, happy to sit in their dark bedrooms, no desire to see the sun. Going for a hike or taking the dogs out for a walk isn’t their idea of fun. So, I have also had to admit that I don’t have all the answers when it comes to their boredom issues. When I suggest activities, I get the “Mom, that is so lame. Why would we want to do that?” So instead of letting their boredom be my problem, I have adopted a new mantra. What I say to them now is “You guys figure it out.”
Maybe you adults and parents out there can relate with this idea. I would love to be bored. What I wouldn’t do for a day of nothing to do. In our adult, responsibility-laden lives, we always have something to do. I personally haven’t been bored in years. I’m always busy, always thinking, always moving and always looking ahead. But maybe that’s just me. Maybe I should switch it up a little. Maybe I should act like a lazy teenager. What a fun experiment that would be. Why don’t all of us parents give it a try? We should just allow ourselves a day on the couch or a day by the pool. Maybe that lazy afternoon could even include a Mojito. I can just smell the fresh lime juice now. What a tempting thought…
As July continues and rolls into August, I know there is no magic answer for the bored- teenager syndrome. It’s just life. Their age is tricky. They have mature ideas but they are still kids and kids get bored. So next time I hear a complaint I’m going to nicely remind them that in a few short weeks, an alarm clock will be waking them up. A schedule will be back in force, and homework will rear its ugly head. So, let’s all just enjoy the rest of summer. I know I’m going to try to, and I’m even going to let myself relax, Mojito in hand. Cheers…
Elizabeth Knobel lives in Windsor and is the mother of two teens who give her inspiration everyday. She can reached at el*********@ms*.com.
