Counseling Blog | The Dunham School | Private PreK-12 | Baton Rouge, LA

Counseling Blog

May 2026

i'm bored might not mean what you think

This week, my family and I were swimming at our neighborhood pool when my daughter swam over to me and my wife and said, "I'm bored."

At first, we laughed and were surprised. We had only been there about 20 minutes, and my kids don’t tend to complain much—especially at the pool. The water was perfect in the pool; it was a beautiful day—what could possibly be boring about that? After a short laugh and the question of “how you could be bored at the pool,” she gave us an insightful question.

“Will someone play with me?” My 7-year-old wanted to have fun with someone.

Her boredom wasn't about the pool. It was about connection. As a therapist, that clicked for me. 

That conversation reminded me that "I'm bored" is often less of a complaint and more of a communication. As parents, when we hear those words, it can be helpful to ask, "What need is underneath this?"

I do tend to get this “bored” issue a lot from parents in the summer when I’m counseling kids and families. Some insight is always helpful. 

Not all boredom is the same. Sometimes it points to a deeper need:

Relational Boredom – "I need connection."
Your child may be craving social interaction, conversation, or shared experiences.

Spiritual Boredom – "I need purpose and growth."
Sometimes children (and adults) feel restless because they long for meaning, wonder, or a deeper connection with God.

Intellectual Boredom – "I need a challenge."
A curious mind often becomes bored when it isn't learning, creating, solving, or exploring.

Physical Boredom – "I need movement."
Children are designed to move. They may need exercise, adventure, or a physical challenge.

Emotional Boredom – "I need joy and excitement."
Sometimes kids are looking for fun, novelty, laughter, or a break from routine.

When we slow down and get curious, "I'm bored" can become an invitation to understand our children more deeply. Rather than rushing to entertain them, we can help them identify what they are truly needing and teach them how to communicate it. Try not to throw a screen at the problem.

Scripture reminds us of the importance of understanding the heart beneath the words:

"The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out." — Proverbs 20:5

And as we help our children grow in wisdom and discernment:

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." — Psalm 90:12

The next time your child says, "I'm bored," consider responding with curiosity instead of frustration. You may discover that boredom is simply their way of saying, "I need something"—and learning to identify that need is a valuable skill that will serve them for a lifetime.

I kept this short so you wouldn’t be bored. 

Have a great summer!