All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.
—Blaise Pascal
Our instinct is to make sure every second of our kids’ time is filled. They’ve got school. And swim practice. And guitar lessons. And scheduled playdates. We tell them to go play outside. To read or do their homework or practice their instrument. We ask them what they want to do next. We are always forcing or encouraging them to do something, anything.
This is usually all very well-intentioned. But it is depriving them of a very important skill in life: the ability to be alone. To sit with their own thoughts. To entertain themselves. To get comfortable with boredom.
Some kids are extroverts. Some are introverts. But every kid needs to know how to be alone and to be happy in that space. There are lots of opportunities for you to help them develop this ability, depending on their age and personality, of course. When they start stirring in the morning, don’t rush in. When they’re quietly playing in their room, take a step back. Let them be bored. Let them lie around for a little while after school or on the weekend. Let them have some time with themselves so they might cultivate some independence.
It’s a critical part of life (as every adult knows). Those who lack the ability to sit quietly in a room alone are miserable and prone to addiction and overstimulation. So teach them now. Or, more accurately, give them the space to teach themselves.