I'm Bored

Blog post #50 of 365

When my kids were teens they knew not to say, "I'm bored." Because my answer was well you could vacuum, dust, do dishes, a load of laundry, clean the bathroom etc, You get the point. If they couldn't find something to do Then they weren't looking very hard. They had homework, games puzzles books, TV, game systems and each other. there was no reason for boredom. As a family we volunteered and church and in the community any time we could in any way we could. We participated in dances for the developmentally disabled, helped people move, bake sales, car washes, gave blood and more. they were pretty well rounded yet every once in a while they would say. I'm bored.

There is an article recirculating throughout the internet that has become "viral" (not sure I like that word.) After reading it I did a search to find out more. Here is the article.

Open letter to Teen-ager
Always we hear the plaintive cry of the teen-ager. What can we do?...Were can we go?
The answer is GO HOME!
Hang the storm windows, paint the woodwork. Rake the leaves, mow the lawn, shovel the walk. Wash the car, learn to cook, scrub some floors. Repair the sink, build a boat, get a job.
Help the minister, priest, or rabbi, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army. Visit the sick, assist the poor, study your lessons. And then when you are through - and not too tired - read a book.
Your parents do not owe you entertainment. Your city or village does not owe you recreational facilities.
The world does not owe you a living...You owe the world something.
You owe it your time and your energy and your talents so that no one will be at war or in poverty or sick or lonely again.
Grow up; quit being a crybaby. Get out of your dream world and develop a backbone, not a wishbone, and start acting like a man or a lady.
You're supposed to be mature enough to accept some of the responsibility your parents have carried for years.
They have nursed, protected, helped, appealed, begged, excused, tolerated and denied themselves needed comforts so that you could have every benefit. This they have done gladly, for you are their dearest treasure.
But now, you have no right to expect them to bow to every whim and fancy just because selfish ego instead of common sense dominates your personality, thinking and request.
In Heaven's name, grow up and go home!
- South Bend Tribune, Sunday, Dec. 6, 1959.

The original author is said to be Judge Philip B. Gilliam of Denver, Co. A highly respected judge in the Denver Juvenile Court and Juvenile Hall from 1940 until his death in 1975.

As far as I can tell not much has changed since 1959. Kids will still complain of boredom and parents will still expect communities to provide some form of entertainment (parks, youth centers, YMCA, boys and girls clubs etc.) but if there isn't one when you moved into the community you can't expect them to build one once your kids become bored.