Ren

" It might be something the child would be
interested
in as well."

Ok, assuming the mother was doing something really interesting, why would the child be saying "I'm bored"? Wouldn't they be saying "Mom, can I join you?"
And why did the child find something else to do within three minutes if what the mother was doing was interesting?
It sounded like the mother was inviting them to help with her work (fine, in and of itself) and the child was obviously not interested,so found something else to do.

I see nothing wrong with a parent inviting the child to help with something, but if it's housework and the intent is to get a child to quit saying "I'm bored" then there are MUCH more compassionate ways to handle this.

I know households less chaotic than mine, most of them are very controlling. The kids know that certain behavior is off limits and they act in a very docile, obedient manner. Very polite, well-mannered UNTIL the parents aren't in the vicinity!:)

I think when a child says they're bored, it's our chance to brainstorm with them. Obviously if I offer to help them think of something and they turn me down, it's a whole different story. But I've never had that happen. My kids don't get bored very often, and if they do it means "Mom, will you help us think of a cool project to do?"
Funny thing is, when I offer a bunch of options they usually come up with their own idea anyway. Sometimes we just need a person to bounce thoughts/feelings off of. I want to be their sounding board, not someone that tries to make them never say "I'm bored" like my parents did.

Ren




"I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn."
Albert Einstein