Psychologists, parents and educators in Bahrain are now viewing ‘boredom’ as a tool for creative thinking and problem solving, signalling a massive shift in approach to the issue. 
The summer holidays put more pressure on families to balance office work, household chores, keeping children busy and regulating screen time. However, local experts have indicated that more parents have been resorting to slow parenting – a mindful approach in which fewer activities are organised for children, allowing for unstructured free play, presence and a natural pace of development. 
“The way children experience boredom has changed so much over the past few years,” prominent psychologist Dr Mariam Alammadi told GulfWeekly.
“I don’t necessarily see boredom as something parents need to immediately fix. In fact, having periods where children are not being entertained or stimulated can be valuable as it gives them the opportunity to use their imagination, create their own games, explore their surroundings and learn how to occupy themselves. These are important skills for developing independence, creativity and problem-solving,” she added. 
The Child and Family Foundation Centre founder addressed the ‘guilt’ that some parents feel when they are unable to provide their child with something productive to do.
“Give them a little time to work through that feeling themselves. Very often, boredom is the point where imagination begins,” she advised. 
However, Dr Mariam encouraged a balance between unstructured time and family connection.
“Reading together, going outside, helping prepare food, drawing, building, imaginative play or simply talking as a family are all ways of slowing things down without replacing one form of constant stimulation with another,” she highlighted, warning against instant stimulation through gadgets, which tends to increase during the holidays. 
Echoing her sentiments, creative entrepreneur Saira Ranj from Seef District noted that instead of simply giving children another activity to consume, they must be given ‘sustainable pastimes’.
“A bored child has space to invent. We can give them opportunities to make, imagine, write, speak, perform, question and create. These do not depend upon constant stimulation,” added the founder and owner of Createit, who has extensive experience as an educator. 
Her studio located at Bahrain Financial Harbour offers diverse, offbeat activities, including personality development sessions, which are intentionally woven between art, yoga, writing, public speaking, improv and  more.
“We don’t see these as completely separate subjects,” she added, explaining that the idea is to offer children a safe space to pursue what they find interesting.
The Indian expatriate and artist revealed that she has witnessed many children transform over time and walk out feeling more confident in their own skin. 
Bahraini mother-of-two Sara Hesari from Muharraq noted that her daughters Al Reem, nine, and Al Maha, eight, have distinct personalities and interests.
“Al Maha could spend hours playing with her toys, imagining different scenarios. She also loves creating things. On the other hand this is a struggle for Al Reem, who prefers reading and living through her books,” she said, adding that it is important to encourage children to pursue what they enjoy.
For her part, Canadian expatriate Abeer Parker from Hidd noted that boredom is great for children and adults. “I used to view ‘nothing to do’ as a negative concept. But now I avoid overwhelming myself with overscheduling the free spaces in our calendar.
This summer, I have divided our days between fun activities and ‘boring’ downtime. We have visited museums, libraries, local parks, and hiking trails. The kids and I have also gone laser tagging and karting. And when we stay in, we go for a swim in our building’s pool downstairs,” added the mother of two, who is currently on holiday in Canada.