Raising Boys & Girls Episode 342: Five Things Kids Need Right Now Emotionally
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Jan 20, 2026 Discover the five essential emotional needs that help kids thrive. Healthy boredom sparks creativity and self-direction, while giving children agency empowers their decision-making. Embracing discomfort teaches resilience and emotional regulation. Fortitude grows through persistence and support, fostering a culture of facing challenges together. Lastly, parents are encouraged to trust their instincts, nurturing independence rather than relying on outside influences. These practices build strong, resilient kiddos ready to navigate life's ups and downs.
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Boredom Powers Creativity
- Moderate boredom fuels creativity, problem solving, and self-initiation in kids.
- Overfilling every moment with stimulation prevents children from learning to imagine or self-regulate.
Childhood Boredom Then vs Now
- Sissy recalls kids in the 80s sent outside until dark, building boredom tolerance and creativity.
- She contrasts that with modern kids who default to screens even in line at places like Disney World.
Use A Boredom Budget
- Create a daily boredom window of 10–20 minutes where you neither fix nor entertain for your child.
- Build a 15-item boredom menu with your kids and tell them to choose from it when they say "I'm bored."
