Parentotheca’s Newsletter
Learn. Parent. Grow.
Issue #3 – July 2025
👋 Welcome to July’s Newsletter
Hello friends,
Summer holidays are here, and I’ll be honest – we were all excited. The kids were buzzing about doing their own thing, and I was thrilled to hit pause on the whirlwind of clubs, homework, and afterschool meltdowns.
And for a few magical days, it was just that: magical.
The boys rediscovered their toys. They read. They played in the garden. They lived their best summer lives.
But then, the dreaded chorus began:
🗣 “I’m bored.”
🗣 “There’s nothing to do.”
🗣 “Everything is SOOO boring!”
Now, I know (both as a parent and a coach) that boredom is actually good for kids (and for adults too). It’s a launchpad for creativity, problem-solving, even emotional growth. But in the moment? It’s hard. And triggering. And loud.
So in this month’s newsletter, we’re tackling boredom head-on.
✨ I’ll share why boredom is a superpower in disguise
✨ I’ll give you one of my favorite tools to help your child build their “boredom muscle”
✨ And I’ll recommend a book that helped me see boredom as the birthplace of brilliance
And here’s a gentle reminder: If you’re Googling “what to do with kids during school holidays” or “how to keep kids busy this summer”… maybe try something different:
Let them get bored. Let yourself get bored. And watch what unfolds.
Oh, and if we haven’t connected on Instagram, Facebook, or even Pinterest, come say hi! I’m back with real-talk parenting tips, mindset shifts, book notes and behind-the-scenes glimpses of my own family life (chaos included).
Let’s dive in.
🔍 Monthly Insight: Boredom Feels Uncomfortable, But It’s Not Your Job to Fix It
Boredom. That itchy, restless, “I-don’t-know-what-to-do” feeling that sends your child wandering into the kitchen declaring, “I’m BORED.”
It’s tempting to jump in with suggestions:
“Want to play a game?”
“Let’s make slime!”
“How about origami?”
We do this because boredom makes us uncomfortable, too. We want to help. We want to be good parents. And somewhere deep down, we may fear that our child’s boredom means we’re not doing enough.
But here’s the truth: boredom isn’t a problem to fix. It’s a developmental gift.
Psychologists and neuroscientists have found that boredom serves an evolutionary purpose. It pushes us to move out of passive states, seek new experiences, and create something novel. It’s the brain’s way of saying, “Time to grow.”
So yes, boredom is uncomfortable – like anxiety, frustration, or disappointment. And yes, your child may expect you to fix it, because they don’t yet know how to sit in that space of “nothingness” and trust that something new will emerge. But the key to emotional growth isn’t comfort. It’s learning how to stay with discomfort and still feel safe.
That’s where we come in – not as entertainers or rescuers, but as guides.
So here’s your mindset shift for the month:
👉 Boredom is not a crisis. It’s an opportunity for resilience, creativity, and self-direction. Don’t take it away from your child.
So next time your child says, “I’m bored,” pause.
Take a deep breath.
And instead of jumping into fix-it mode, try one of these calm, connection-building responses:
- “You’re bored, yeah. I feel bored sometimes too and I know it’s not fun. But I know you can figure something out.”
- “Oh you’re bored, I hear you. It’s ok to be bored sometimes. What do you think you can do about it?”
- “I know sweetheart. I bet you can think of something you can do. I can’t wait to see what creative idea you come up with.”
You’re not dismissing them. You’re validating their experience and empowering their independence.
And yes, sometimes they’ll say, “Okay! I want to go to the park! Or build a rocket ship out of cardboard!”
But you might not be able to do that in the moment and that’s okay, too.
Try something like:
“That sounds fun! We can’t do that right now, but let’s plan it for another day. In the meantime, what’s something else you could try on your own?”
The goal here isn’t constant entertainment, it’s teaching your child how to tolerate the in-between moments.
That’s where real growth lives.
📚 From the Library: Boredom Is the Incubator of Brilliance
“Boredom makes people keen to engage in activities that they find more meaningful than those at hand.”
(c) Manoush Zomorodi. Bored and Brilliant
One of the books that truly reshaped how I think about boredom – for myself and my kids – is Bored and Brilliant by Manoush Zomorodi. It made me not just tolerate boredom, but actually seek it out. It invited me to stop filling every quiet moment with stimulation, and to start treating those blank spaces as creative gold.
And here’s the fascinating science behind it:
When we’re bored and there’s no immediate stimulation around, the brain switches into what researchers call the “default mode network.” This is the same state that activates during daydreaming – when your mind wanders, when you reflect, when you imagine.
It’s not passive.
It’s creative. It’s subconscious. It’s deep.
It’s where innovation, problem-solving, and brilliant ideas come from.
✨ Translation? If you want to spark more creativity, think more critically, or come up with fresh solutions – you don’t need more input.
You need more white space.
You need… boredom.
That means:
- You don’t have to listen to a podcast on every walk.
- You don’t have to fill the silence with learning, talking, or doing.
- You can let your mind breathe – and that’s where magic happens.
This is true for kids, too.
They don’t need more screen time or adult-led activities. What they need is less structure, more unstructured play, and the freedom to get bored.
And here’s something you’ve probably already noticed:
Kids ask the most curious, insightful questions when they’re bored – in the car, at bedtime, in the queue at the supermarket.
Because boredom cracks the surface- and lets their inner world bubble up.
So here’s your challenge this month:
Let yourself get bored.
Let your kids be bored.
Don’t rush to fill the space. Let it expand and watch what creativity shows up to fill it.
If this idea excites you, I highly recommend diving into the Bored and Brilliant 7-Day Challenge – it’s a practical, eye-opening way to build your own “boredom muscle” and rediscover your creative spark. You’ll find it in the book, or you can check out my summary here:
👉 Read the Bored and Brilliant Summary
And if you prefer a quicker start, Manoush’s TED Talk – How Boredom Can Lead to Your Most Brilliant Ideas – is a beautiful, bite-sized intro:
🛠️ Parentotheca’s Toolbox: The Boredom Jar
The fifth “Muuuum, I’m bored!” in under 30 minutes?
Yep, I’d had enough. But instead of rushing in to fix it, I tried something different.
I handed my son an empty jar and said:
“What if you fill this with things you could do the next time boredom shows up?”
He took off with it. Ten minutes later, the jar was full: play guitar, build LEGO, draw dragons, do homework (yes!), help cook dinner.
That’s the thing about boredom – it sparks creativity when we don’t jump in too quickly.
For the next few days, whenever he felt bored, he pulled a note from the jar. Eventually, he didn’t need it. The jar just… sat there. Not because it failed, but because the skill had been built.
The Boredom Jar isn’t about keeping kids entertained. It’s about helping them build independence, creativity, and emotional resilience.
💡 And if you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen the Boredom Jar in action—it was such a hit in our house!
Here is how to make a Boredom Jar at home:
Step 1: Grab a jar or container.
Step 2: Cut up some paper into small slips.
Step 3: Invite your child to come up with activities they enjoy or want to try—fun, silly, helpful, calming.
Step 4: Add them to the jar.
Step 5: When they say “I’m bored,” pause. Acknowledge. Then gently remind them: “I trust you. The jar’s there if you want some inspiration.”
Try it!
🆕 What’s New on Parentotheca
Here’s what dropped this month:
✅ New Book Summary:
- The Element by Sir Ken Robinson
✅ New Articles:
🧭 Coach’s Corner: I’m Here to Help
Parenting can be the most meaningful – and most demanding – role you’ll ever take on.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
As a parent and life coach, I’m here to walk alongside you, helping you grow in confidence, skill, and clarity, so you can raise resilient, emotionally healthy kids and build the connected, joyful family you want.
I won’t just hand you generic advice. I’ll guide you step-by-step with a clear, personalised roadmap to transform your parenting, deepen your relationships, and support your child in developing the mindset and life skills they need to truly thrive.
Not sure if coaching is right for you?
Have a look at my Will you benefit from my coaching? checklist to see if it aligns with what you want and need as a parent.
✨ Bonus for newsletter subscribers: Get 50% off your first coaching session. Just reply to this email and I’ll send you a private booking link.
Let’s make this the turning point.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Parenting is hard. But don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better.
Talk soon,
Irina
