“Mom! I’m BORED!”

“MOM, I’m bored!”

This is no doubt a phrase parents hear over and over again. There are a billion and one things you have to do, and you could think of at least one hundred thousand things they could do, not only to help you, but to keep them occupied and not “bored”. The reality is boredom is a sign our brain sends to tell us it’s hungry for creativity. And creativity is a muscle that we all need to exercise. From adults who have an endless list of things to get done, to kids who simply don’t know that they are not out of options, we all need to exercise our creativity muscles.

So often as adults we work on our to-do lists and don’t set aside time for creative endeavors or artistic respite. We then somehow find that our lives become monotonous and flat. However, if we just gave ourselves a few minutes a day to pursue creativity, we would find our creative outlets bring us joy and satisfaction. Then we see ourselves pushing through our to-do lists with more creative power. Things don’t get done the way they always get done; they get done with flair and ingenuity!

As kids, we don’t realize that our lives are filled with so much space so we can fill it creatively. This helps inform our growth and development. Just as physical health is important, and you want your kids to eat balanced meals and get good exercise, music is a well-rounded exercise for the body, mind, and soul. Music helps us regulate emotions, recognize patterns, create stronger connections and neural pathways, and promote neuroplasticity. Education is important, but if it is not well-rounded to include music and art, the basic regurgitation of information falls flat fast!

So, next time your kid says, “I’m bored,” maybe sign them up for some music lessons. A skill will emerge that they can use for decades, likely until the end of their lives. They’ll start developing an appreciation for music and artistry that allows them to listen with ears that comprehend what they're hearing. They’ll start creating music for themselves instead of being a broken record.