topic Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored in Community Chat

Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

Carolina925 — Wed, 26 May 2021 12:51:23 GMT

After reading the post from ProudMa about things your parents gave you, it made me think of two comments it seems parents talk about most that their children, esp teenaged children, seem to say a lot: Life is not fair and I'm bored. I don't think I ever said life wasn't fair when I was a child. We didn't have everything or even near everything but always seemed to be content with what we had. I don't remember saying I was bored but I imagine if I had said that, a broom, vacuum, mop, or dustrag would've been put in my hands Even without all the electronic devices and special toys, we always found something to do. Even rainy days gave me the opportunity to read. We had 3 TV channels, watching either Roy Rogers or Gene Autry in the mornings, then going outside for the rest of the day; at night, we'd watch one of the Andy Williams, Ed Sullivan, etc., shows for the hour, then even the TV would be cut off. Phone calls? Never happened, we'd just go down the road if we needed to talk to someone. Even in my teen years, our phone calls were limited...and never ever could anyone call at our dinner hour, always from 6-7, and never past 9:00. I love the memories from my childhood.

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

on the bay — Wed, 26 May 2021 13:00:33 GMT

I never was bored either and my children never said they were either,

but they also were fortunate in being able to have a place to play outside all the livelong day😊

I will say though there have been one or 2 times this past few months when for the first time in my life for a little while I felt aand thought "I'm bored."

I never thought I would say that or feel it.

Maybe a lot of it has to do with people or children who are supplied some activity, whether a sport,class, or ipad, or "someting to do."

And not all children or people today have a save place to wander and roam.

I feel like I had a wonderful childhood too. Outside all day long but many children today can't do that.

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

Mombo1 — Wed, 26 May 2021 13:10:14 GMT

@Carolina925 wrote:
After reading the post from ProudMa about things your parents gave you, it made me think of two comments it seems parents talk about most that their children, esp teenaged children, seem to say a lot: Life is not fair and I'm bored. I don't think I ever said life wasn't fair when I was a child. We didn't have everything or even near everything but always seemed to be content with what we had. I don't remember saying I was bored but I imagine if I had said that, a broom, vacuum, mop, or dustrag would've been put in my hands Even without all the electronic devices and special toys, we always found something to do. Even rainy days gave me the opportunity to read. We had 3 TV channels, watching either Roy Rogers or Gene Autry in the mornings, then going outside for the rest of the day; at night, we'd watch one of the Andy Williams, Ed Sullivan, etc., shows for the hour, then even the TV would be cut off. Phone calls? Never happened, we'd just go down the road if we needed to talk to someone. Even in my teen years, our phone calls were limited...and never ever could anyone call at our dinner hour, always from 6-7, and never past 9:00. I love the memories from my childhood.

@Carolina925 How true! You must be from my generation. We didn't have a lot as kids...but never really knew it. We were happy to have a bike to ride with friends and a neighborhood that was kid friendly. We watched those same shows you mentioned..and we had a party line phone. Dinner time was a time to share the memories of the day. We all walked to the neighborhood school and parents watched out for everyone's kids. It was a simpler time and I have so many great memories of family and friends. The town I lived in is still there and well preserved. My brother and I go back every few years to walk through the neighborhood and see our childhood home..the town park...and the Mainstreet with many of the original stores and restaurants. We enjoy the "walk back in time".

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

LTT1 — Wed, 26 May 2021 13:21:06 GMT

@Carolina925

I agree with everything you wrote!

My contention is that feeling bored is the best gift that we can give children. During the summer, the joys of having endless days with "nothing to do" stimulates us to be creative/inventive and imaginative! Since when did we begin to think that every minute of our lives needs to be filled with organized activities?

Then, when we truly had exhausted our summer vacation options, such as playing with the neighborhood kids, it was

TIME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL!

To see our friends there and to LEARN!

The fact that kids do not value school now says something.

Perhaps as you mention, we would be much better off without so many distractions. I would vote for that!

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

Spurt — Wed, 26 May 2021 13:50:12 GMT

@on the bay

They sit inside and play on their tablet or phone...easy to get bored. And all this technology has done all the creative thinking for kids now a days, and interaction is very limited, so imagination has suffered....

As you said we found things to do---riding our bikes, coloring, we played board games ---(Monopoly, Clue, Sorry, Parchesi etc etc) card games.... We played hopscotch, jacks, Simon Says, Red Light/Green Light.....We walked everywhere---to the store, to the movies, to the library..... And 3 TV channels were adequate for us...

I feel sorry for the kids growing up today...there's so many restrictions because of the awful things that can happen now-a-days, so many activities away from home are declared unsafe now, they are trapped inside unless they participate in organized sports....BUT there's still things to do if one uses their imagination and creativity......

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

Spurt — Wed, 26 May 2021 13:54:29 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
@Carolina925

I agree with everything you wrote!
My contention is that feeling bored is the best gift that we can give children. During the summer, the joys of having endless days with "nothing to do" stimulates us to be creative/inventive and imaginative! Since when did we begin to think that every minute of our lives needs to be filled with organized activities?

Then, when we truly had exhausted our summer vacation options, such as playing with the neighborhood kids, it was

TIME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL!
To see our friends there and to LEARN!

The fact that kids do not value school now says something.
Perhaps as you mention, we would be much better off without so many distractions. I would vote for that!

@LTT1

I think this pandemic has made SOME appreciate school and see how it enables them to interact in person with their friends....and learn together....I think it was an eye opener to both kids and parents...

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

beckyb1012 — Wed, 26 May 2021 14:04:11 GMT

As long as had my bike with the banana seat and my library book I was never bored. Still bike and still hit the library one or twice weekly. I do not have a banana seat.

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

on the bay — Wed, 26 May 2021 14:46:31 GMT

I didn't mean that all the technology and outside activity schedules prevented kids from being bored.

I so agree that all these things can create boredom when they are not there, when there is not something

planned to do.

Without any of these, we were able to use our imagination. I feel sorry for kids too who don't have the freedom for many reasons to play outside and with their friends and be creative and inventive and discovering all the wonders of their imaginations.

Technology is great too but I wish they all had those wonderful days of playing outside all day long until the sun went down.

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

SloopJohnB — Wed, 26 May 2021 14:31:58 GMT

@beckyb1012 Oh, I loved my banana seat bike. Thought it was so cool at the time, and it was! Thank you for that memory. 🚴🍌💛

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

Nancy Drew — Wed, 26 May 2021 14:49:57 GMT

My DIL who is 39 will not allow her 3 kids to say"I'm bored". They will immediately be handed a job. They are allowed tv, video games, etc. But itis limited and they are lucky to have a neighborhood where the kids are out playing at the park and in their backyard. My DIL also has them doing crafts, cooking, book buying, board games, learning finances, car care, cleaning etc....

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

SeaMaiden — Wed, 26 May 2021 14:53:02 GMT

In the 1950s and 1960s No computer...internet...iPads or fancy cell phones. We still had lots to do!

Three or four TV stations was enough...Barbie dolls...playing outside..riding our bikes..playing tether ball and badminton... of course roller skating with metal skates that fit on to your shoe with a key...

Life was much simpler. It was all we knew. I do not remember ever being afraid of "bad Men"...maybe that was foolish...like not locking house doors... just never crossed our minds at the time.

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

Vivian — Wed, 26 May 2021 14:53:05 GMT

I also had a lovely childhood in the 1950s and 60s. There was no such thing as a play date. I just walked outside and there were always kids playing, roller skating, running, etc. When the weather was bad, I went to a friend's house or they came to my house...or I went outside anyway, all bundled up, as my mother would say. On the other hand, I do recall telling my mother I was bored because she always had a stock answer, "Go bang your head against the wall."

My kids had similar childhoods but my grandchildren not so much. Play dates became the norm. After school activities mounted to the point where they took time away from from friends and just being a kid. One of my granddaughters was so involved in gymnastics that she didn't eat dinner or start homework until 9pm on practice days. I don't think my grandchildren are bored but I don't know how healthy it is to have every day pre-programmed.

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

QVCkitty1 — Wed, 26 May 2021 15:35:05 GMT

I don't remember saying that life is not fair, but my version was, you're ruining my life !

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

catter70 — Wed, 26 May 2021 16:33:53 GMT

I think, like some here, I am older. Who was bored? Summer days riding bikes, swimming in the creek, climbing trees, playing tag, using the monkey bars and swings at school all year round and catching lightning bugs at night. In the winter, ice skating, sledding and building snowmen. Again TV with 3 channels only. Walked to school and walked home for lunch and back to school. Just go out early morning and come home for supper when your parents yelled for you and back out till the street lights came back on. I wouldn't change it for anything.

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

LindaSal — Wed, 26 May 2021 16:18:51 GMT

@Vivian ITA with you regarding programmed schedules. I had my children in the early 80's and I always tried to keep that fine line with activites and down time. The other neighborhood mom's young ones were constantly so busy they never could just enjoy being a kid!

I found it best that they had their own time to be creative and do something they liked either together or on their own (mine are only 17 months apart). I feel it was the right thing to do and now my adult kids appreciate it.

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

ECBG — Wed, 26 May 2021 17:05:56 GMT

Growing up, if the weather was good, I'd ride by bike, horse, loved my big "playhouse" and remember being in there in a coat when it was cold. I read a lot. When school was in, I would take a stack of books.

As I left the activites of childhood, I moved away from the setting with my horse, but could still read. My attention went from working with color to fashion.

I did have some moments I was bored, like the book ended. I had what would become a difficult home situation in that my dad had remarried. By creating something to do in my room I didn't get thrown into interacting. Sometimes she was ok, but usually highly critical, and rigid.

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

Mombo1 — Wed, 26 May 2021 17:14:36 GMT

@catter70 wrote:
I think, like some here, I am older. Who was bored? Summer days riding bikes, swimming in the creek, climbing trees, playing tag, using the monkey bars and swings at school all year round and catching lightning bugs at night. In the winter, ice skating, sledding and building snowmen. Again TV with 3 channels only. Walked to school and walked home for lunch and back to school. Just go out early morning and come home for supper when your parents yelled for you and back out till the street lights came back on. I wouldn't change it for anything.

@catter70 I had to smile when I read how your parents would yell for you. I remember yelling for my brother if Mom was busy. If he didn't hear me one of the neighbors would yell too !

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

Neetgal2 — Wed, 26 May 2021 17:27:32 GMT

I never said I was bored. My father would send me to weed the flower bed or my Mom would find something. My out was walking to the library and getting a book.

One of my foundest memories was visiting my grandparents at the beach. They were up in age and had "help" only to clean weekly. I guess they could sense I might be bored. There was also a library within walking distance. Certain times of the year I would be sent outside with a long screw driver to take out dandelions but what I remember the most is my grandmother sitting me down out on the back porch and having me clean the silver, that we never used, it was just sitting around from a previous generation or two. To this day my friends would ask me what I did on rainy days at the beach. Back in the 50's we did not have any of the town sponsored activities available today to kids during the summer. There was no cable so no TV.

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

mom2four0418 — Wed, 26 May 2021 17:37:54 GMT

@Carolina925 wrote:
After reading the post from ProudMa about things your parents gave you, it made me think of two comments it seems parents talk about most that their children, esp teenaged children, seem to say a lot: Life is not fair and I'm bored. I don't think I ever said life wasn't fair when I was a child. We didn't have everything or even near everything but always seemed to be content with what we had. I don't remember saying I was bored but I imagine if I had said that, a broom, vacuum, mop, or dustrag would've been put in my hands Even without all the electronic devices and special toys, we always found something to do. Even rainy days gave me the opportunity to read. We had 3 TV channels, watching either Roy Rogers or Gene Autry in the mornings, then going outside for the rest of the day; at night, we'd watch one of the Andy Williams, Ed Sullivan, etc., shows for the hour, then even the TV would be cut off. Phone calls? Never happened, we'd just go down the road if we needed to talk to someone. Even in my teen years, our phone calls were limited...and never ever could anyone call at our dinner hour, always from 6-7, and never past 9:00. I love the memories from my childhood.

I have never heard my kids say either of those things, but in the past year I have noticed that many adults have complained about things not being fair.

Re: Life Is Not Fair; I'm Bored

SunValley — Wed, 26 May 2021 18:00:30 GMT

If any of us children even remotely indicated we were bored my mother had an arsenal of chores to hand out. That happened once only and the lesson was imprinted. All of us had chores, even when we had part time jobs. Childhood was not play time in my home. My parents saw us as little workers. Wouldn't have dreamed of complaining as then you just got more handed to you. My 18th birthday gift was a pair of playtex living rubber gloves for washing dishes. My kids would have called CPS if they opened this gift.

My parents were first generation Americans, and their European roots were firmly established in the hard work ethic. My siblings and I all have a solid work ethic thanks to their example but thankfully have learned how to better balance our lives with some time for relaxation, hobbies, and fun. My mother always felt she had to justify any activity that was not related to housework/employment or spend on anything other than basics to fend off any criticism that she was lazy or extravagant. When I find myself repeating this pattern, I give myself a good shake.