For some children, being with oneself, especially in an unfamiliar place, can be difficult.

Especially for children who are used to a lot of electronic stimulation, not having it can be very difficult.

Summer is a wonderful time for learning new ways of enjoying oneself and finding time for family togetherness.

“Mommy, I'm bored!” shouted 9-year-old Emily. “I have nothing to do, and no one will play with me,” she whined. Lori just didn't understand. For her, times at the beach in summer, especially alone times, were heavenly. And there were plenty of other children around in the neighborhood. If only Emily would venture out. If only she would give up her iPad and become involved with life by the water! If only…

Mark also was having difficulty. Not having grown up by the beach, he was used to long summer baseball practices, games, and hanging out with his teammates afterward. No matter how much he tried, fishing with his father-in-law just didn't cut it. Lori was starting to wish they had stayed home. She felt like she had two youngsters on her hands, and both of them were draining her with cries of "Mommy, I'm bored!"

We understand being bored as a state of mind in which emotion paralyzes curiosity and renders the individual trapped in ennui as long as they stay passive. It can happen for a child in school when feelings of being swamped, inadequate, or confused........

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