The Dangers of Boredom
There is nothing like a lengthy break from school and the heat of summer to tempt one of my children to say, “I’m bored; there’s nothing to do!” They usually say this to their mother thinking that I can’t hear them from the next room.
There is nothing that strikes fear into the hearts of my children more than hearing me ask, “You’re bored?” Their eyes grow to the size of saucers, and sweat begins to pour down the sides of their faces. Their eyes scan the room searching for a way to escape, only to realize that it’s too late.
“You’re bored and you need help finding something to do?” I ask again. At this point they frantically try to convince me they have plenty of options, because they know if I find them something to do it will be work!
You may think I am too harsh, or that I should have a little more compassion on my children. I don’t give my children work because I don’t love them; I give it to them because I want to teach them how to find something to do when they become bored.
Do you know what the number one excuse teenagers use as their reason to do drugs? It’s not peer pressure, thrill seeking, or trying to mask emotional pain. All of those are top reasons, but nationwide the number one excuse used is, “Nothing better to do.”
Don’t think that holds true for rural towns? I have personally had teenagers in the back of my patrol car, under arrest for drug possession, who gave the very same answer when I asked them why they were using drugs.
A 2000 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study showed that teenagers in rural areas were 50% more likely to use cocaine than urban kids, 34% likelier to smoke marijuana, 83% likelier to use crack cocaine, 29% likelier to drink alcohol, 70% likelier to have been drunk. They were also more than twice as likely to smoke cigarettes and nearly five times as likely to use smokeless tobacco.
Do you know why? Because in rural towns there are fewer movie theaters, roller rinks, putt-putt courses, go cart tracks and other clean fun opportunities than there are in an urban setting.
You may not be able to build a putt-putt course but there are things you can do to reduce the chances of your child using drugs. Spend time with your children individually; find something they are interested in and do it together. Develop a family night where you play games as a family. They may think it is lame at first, but be creative; allow them to pick the games or plan the evening. Cook a meal as a family, with the children selecting the menu.
You are only limited by your imagination. If your children show some resistance, show them a list of chores and give them a choice. I bet I know which one they’d choose!
Johnny Walker is a Christian Counselor and the Founder of Family Works Counseling. You can reach him at (770) 456-5547.
There is nothing that strikes fear into the hearts of my children more than hearing me ask, “You’re bored?” Their eyes grow to the size of saucers, and sweat begins to pour down the sides of their faces. Their eyes scan the room searching for a way to escape, only to realize that it’s too late.
“You’re bored and you need help finding something to do?” I ask again. At this point they frantically try to convince me they have plenty of options, because they know if I find them something to do it will be work!
You may think I am too harsh, or that I should have a little more compassion on my children. I don’t give my children work because I don’t love them; I give it to them because I want to teach them how to find something to do when they become bored.
Do you know what the number one excuse teenagers use as their reason to do drugs? It’s not peer pressure, thrill seeking, or trying to mask emotional pain. All of those are top reasons, but nationwide the number one excuse used is, “Nothing better to do.”
Don’t think that holds true for rural towns? I have personally had teenagers in the back of my patrol car, under arrest for drug possession, who gave the very same answer when I asked them why they were using drugs.
A 2000 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study showed that teenagers in rural areas were 50% more likely to use cocaine than urban kids, 34% likelier to smoke marijuana, 83% likelier to use crack cocaine, 29% likelier to drink alcohol, 70% likelier to have been drunk. They were also more than twice as likely to smoke cigarettes and nearly five times as likely to use smokeless tobacco.
Do you know why? Because in rural towns there are fewer movie theaters, roller rinks, putt-putt courses, go cart tracks and other clean fun opportunities than there are in an urban setting.
You may not be able to build a putt-putt course but there are things you can do to reduce the chances of your child using drugs. Spend time with your children individually; find something they are interested in and do it together. Develop a family night where you play games as a family. They may think it is lame at first, but be creative; allow them to pick the games or plan the evening. Cook a meal as a family, with the children selecting the menu.
You are only limited by your imagination. If your children show some resistance, show them a list of chores and give them a choice. I bet I know which one they’d choose!
Johnny Walker is a Christian Counselor and the Founder of Family Works Counseling. You can reach him at (770) 456-5547.
posted by Johnny Walker at 9:39 PM
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