Kids today have a million things to do. Most parents offer them a huge array of activities to take part in. The latest craze is for bendaroos: a super strong, brightly colored string which can be used to decorate pretty much anything that comes to mind. Is it worth buying bendaroos for a few weeks peace and quiet? How many other activities have they given up on? And why do kids with so much stimulation get bored so easily?
Why does Pete moan when he has to go to hispiano lessons? Why does Sally hate the sight of her roller blades now? Why are Billy’s bendaroos laying on the floor. These children were very happy about these activities when they started off. What happened? Parents are often confused by the signals they get from their offspring. One day the kids are over the moon about the new ballet class and in just a few months they complain when it’s time to go.
The first thing a family should do when a child begins complaining about something they once enjoyed is to listen to what they have to say without prejudice. Do not jump into conclusions. Ask your
child what happens in the class. Find out what exactly is the cause of the problem. Then get their teacher’s take on the matter. Find out why they have got bored of a certain activity. Have they run out of things to do with their bendaroos. Perhaps you could suggest a way these bendaroos could be used that they hadn’t thought of and set their creativity and enthusiasm for bendaroos off again. Usually, when children start out on an activity they think it’s fun. Your child may feel stifled if the activity has too much structure too it. Let them find their own way to interact with the instrument, the activity or the bendaroos.
If you try everything you think of, and your child still resists that fantastic guitar classes or bendaroos, then it’s time to drop the subject. Don’t force the child, particularly when what they are doing is supposed to be fun. If they don’t want to play with the bendaroos, then they don’t want to play with the bendaroos.
