Parenting in the Age of iPads: When “I’m Bored” Becomes the Loudest Voice in the House
If you’re raising children right now, chances are you’ve heard the phrase “I’m bored” more times than you can count.
Not once.
Not twice.
But on repeat, all day long.
You take them to the park.
You organise playdates.
You suggest games, crafts, Lego, bikes, baking.
And 10 minutes later… they’re bored again.
Meanwhile, you’re exhausted.
Not because you don’t love your children, but because somewhere along the way, parenting quietly became full-time entertainment.
Welcome to modern parenthood.
We are the first generation of parents raising children whose nervous systems are shaped by screens from birth. Their brains are wired for instant stimulation, instant reward, instant relief from discomfort.
And boredom?
It feels unbearable to them.
From a systemic perspective, families are living through a cultural transition. The rules of childhood have changed and the needs of children have not.
They still need:
• Structure
• Boundaries
• Rhythm
• Leadership
• Connection
What’s changed is the environment.
There is no “right” way — only a conscious one.
Here are the two most common approaches families choose.
Path 1: Limited & Structured Device Time
This path accepts that technology is part of modern life and keeps parents in leadership.
What it looks like:
• Devices have a predictable time (e.g. after homework, 30–60 minutes)
• Devices are not used to regulate emotions or boredom
• Devices are off at least 1–2 hours before bed
What it teaches children:
• Balance and self-regulation
• That screens are a privilege, not a right
• That real life still comes first
The challenges:
• Children will complain, especially at first
• There will be resistance and negotiation
• Parents must hold boundaries consistently
Path 2: Very Limited or No Devices at Home
This path recreates a more traditional childhood rhythm.
What it looks like:
• No devices during the week
• Screens only on weekends or for travel
• Shared family screens instead of personal devices
What it teaches children:
• Creativity and imagination
• Sibling connection (even if it starts with arguing)
• Independence and problem-solving
The challenges:
• Children will experience real boredom
• Emotional protests will happen
• Parents must tolerate discomfort while children adapt
The truth is that boredom is not a problem.
It is a developmental doorway.
It is where:
• Creativity is born
• Resilience grows
• Self-direction develops
But children today have lost tolerance for boredom because devices remove it instantly. When screens disappear, the nervous system panics.
That doesn’t mean something is wrong.
It means the brain is rewiring.
Keep in mind:
What’s draining parents is not the lack of activities.
It’s being placed in the role of constant entertainer instead of parental leader.
Children do not need constant stimulation.
They need a predictable structure and clear expectations.
It is healthy to say:
“I love you. I’m here. And it’s not my job to entertain you all day.”
You get to choose what kind of childhood your children will remember.
You get to choose the rhythm of your home.
You get to choose what values you build.
There is no perfect path.
There is only a conscious one.
We cannot deny the changes of our time,
but we don’t have to be ruled by them either.
