How do I let my child see me working through boredom without turning to a screen for quick stimulation? 

Parenting Perspective 

Children learn how to handle uncomfortable feelings like boredom by watching how we handle them ourselves. By making your own process visible, you can teach them that boredom is a normal feeling that can lead to creativity and purpose. 

Make the Process Visible 

Instead of managing your own boredom quietly, let your child see the process. You could say, ‘I am feeling a bit restless, so I think I will…’ and then choose an offline activity like tidying a drawer or going for a short walk. This shows them that boredom is not a crisis. 

Use Idle Moments as Opportunities 

When you have some natural downtime, consciously choose a non-screen task that you genuinely enjoy. This could be watering the plants, sketching, or flipping through a cookbook. Your relaxed engagement demonstrates that slower options can be satisfying. 

Verbalise Your Thought Process 

Let your child hear your internal thought process out loud. For example, ‘I could just scroll on my phone right now, but I think I will try to fix that wobbly shelf instead.’ This narration teaches them that our choices can be intentional, not just automatic. 

Keep Screens Out of Reach During Downtime 

When you feel bored or have some downtime, try physically placing your phone in another room. This simple act removes the immediate temptation for instant stimulation and makes your alternative, more thoughtful choice clearer for your child to see. 

By openly modelling boredom as a normal and manageable part of life, you help your child develop the invaluable skills of patience, self-reliance, and creative problem-solving. 

Spiritual Insight 

From an Islamic perspective, moments of quiet or stillness are never wasted time. They are precious opportunities for reflection (tafakkur), gratitude (shukr), and the remembrance of Allah. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Aalai Imran (3), Verse 191: 

‘Those people who remember Allah (Almighty) while standing, and sitting, and whilst (lying asleep) on their sides; and they contemplate in the creation of the layers of trans-universal existence and the Earth…’ 

This reminds us that in any state, even in moments of quiet stillness, we can engage our minds and hearts in meaningful reflection and remembrance. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3976, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Part of the perfection of a person’s Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him.’ 

This teaches us that we do not need to fill every idle moment with constant input or distraction; sometimes, stepping back and being selective with our attention is a sign of wisdom and strong faith. 

By letting your child see you embrace these quiet moments and make thoughtful, non-digital choices, you are planting the seeds of patience, mindfulness, and intentional livingvalues that will serve them throughout their entire life.