Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion That's Totally Lame, Mom

I haven't actually used this strategy, but it has a certain appeal... the next time your child complains, "I'm bored," you can cheerfully suggest a number of chores that need doing. It's always possible you actually get a chore done, but the more likely outcome is the child will become properly motivated to solve the problem alone.

Thanks for all these ideas! I *have* been trying harder to stock up on toys that are more open-ended and/or buildy recently, so it's nice to know I'm on the right track. I slowly stocked up on some Duplo style LEGOs because we also have a littler one who always puts things in her mouth around and those were fun until a slightly older boy deemed them uncool. grrrr.

The idea of Minecraft being so appealing because he can easily build things that look cool was a total light bulb moment. I'm sure with his perfectionist tendencies, that's a big part of the draw. His Minecraft houses are always going to look better than something made from blocks or LEGOs at this point.

There's two things I know that I really need to do...weed out toys to organize our space better and set up things so that he knows what he has and can easily get things out himself. And show more examples of possibilities. Like sculptures out of paper and tape.

DS was really into making paper versions of MC blocks and characters for awhile. I think initially he may have found some images online to cut out and fold to make cubes. There is an app called PaperCraft that allows you to create your own 3D MC characters. He has also tried making his own freehand (with mixed results). This helped him get his "MC fix" while off the computer.

Another thought: the times that DS does say he is bored, it seems to be a code for "I'm lonely." Often a cuddle on the sofa is what he needs; after a few minutes he'll come up with some new idea of what he wants to create, and off he goes.

I really appreciate the ideas for creating things out of paper with tape from KnittingMama and doubtfulguest.

Yesterday, I made up a little box with random things like cardboard, straws, craft sticks, toilet paper rolls, glue, and tape and didn't really say much about it. But DS noticed it, asked about it, then entertained himself for about an hour. He also raved about the activity to his papa, saying that he really wanted to play with papa some time.

Score!

woo! mysterious boxes of supplies are the best! nice one!