<![CDATA[My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored!]]>I am a stay at home mother. My girl attends pre-nursery 3 hour-program daily.

Recently, everyday, she tells me she is bored. Nothing to play.
She has lots of toys at home, but guess she is sick of her toys already.
Normally she will watch baby tv, do coloring, drawing, do activity books with me, play toys, etc.
Recently she was ill and just recovered. She keeps telling me she is bored. She easily gets bored of the activity she is doing. I asked her to do coloring, but within 10 mins, she said she is bored and refuse to continue. I asked her to play with her toys, she doesn't even want to touch them. I pasted big piece of paper on the floor and do some drawing with her, she gets bored too. Watch tv, gets bored too. I bought some post-it notes and get her to write/draw something on them and paste them all over the house. After a while, she gets bored too.

I don't know what to do with her anymore. I have phobia now of hearing her saying \"mummy, I am bored\", \"nothing to do\".
There was one time she came back from school and was playing with her blocks and I was using the computer for a while and she suddenly burst out crying! I asked her what happened, she said \"nothing to play... nothing to play....nothing to play....\"

Oh my god. Any advise parents?

:gloomy:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/37307/my-3-5-years-old-girl-keep-saying-she-is-boredRSS for NodeThu, 23 Apr 2026 10:49:17 GMTThu, 28 Jun 2012 14:56:44 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 13:45:49 GMT]]>

Ichigokun:
@nanana


Maybe you can ask her to help out with the very simple things when you are cooking? Like washing the vegetables etc.

Maybe teach her to recognize the different ingredients like chicken, tomato, spinach etc.

But must make sure she doesn't get near dangerous objects like knives or stoves. Keep an eye on her at all times in the kitchen.
Yup. Thanks! 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/794942https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/794942Thu, 12 Jul 2012 13:45:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 11:49:33 GMT]]>@nanana


Maybe you can ask her to help out with the very simple things when you are cooking? Like washing the vegetables etc.

Maybe teach her to recognize the different ingredients like chicken, tomato, spinach etc.

But must make sure she doesn’t get near dangerous objects like knives or stoves. Keep an eye on her at all times in the kitchen.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/794835https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/794835Thu, 12 Jul 2012 11:49:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 11:48:40 GMT]]>@nanana


Maybe you can ask her to help out with the very simple things when you are cooking? Like washing the vegetables etc.

Maybe teach her to recognize the different ingredients like chicken, tomato, spinach etc.

But must make sure she doesn’t get near dangerous objects like knives or stoves. Keep an eye on her at all times in the kitchen.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/794833https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/794833Thu, 12 Jul 2012 11:48:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:12:49 GMT]]>Thanks all for sharing. Glad to know that she is normal.

I hope to be able to manage her better. :xedfingers:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/793158https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/793158Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:12:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 01:25:15 GMT]]>

nanana:
But after sometime, she understands that I need to cook and will play by herself. Other than cooking, if my own stuff is not that important, I will give in to her and go back to play with her. I cannot stand her wailing.

To be honest, I think she's very normal. Some kids need more interaction, others don't. This age is when they imitate, this is how they learn. So show her something useful and as another poster said, involve her in your daily life. Sometimes you need to help them get \"started\" on an activity until they have enough mastery to do it by themselves. You have to see if the toys she has are appropriate for her and if she has had enough input to be able to play on her own.

Consider if you have spent enough time demonstrating certain skills and giving her ideas e.g with building blocks, cooking toys, painting, playdough etc. Consider also if she is a very tactile person or visual person etc. At her age, she can do threading next to you while you cook, or she can help to chop soft vegetables with a butter knife. Or she can pour water from one container to another, with or without funnels. These are all purely for the child's exploration, and NOT to make your life easier. There will be cleaning up to do afterwards, and it may slow down your chores. But it is very good for her as she explore her senses and become a more independent learner/explorer.

Have a rough schedule for indoor activities, together chore time, outdoor time, and downtime. With predictability she will be easier to manage and she will also become your good helper.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792570https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792570Tue, 10 Jul 2012 01:25:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:58:43 GMT]]>

slmkhoo:
Funz:

[quote=\"nanana\"]
Thanks, but usually she will only play alone for at most 10 minutes and she will come bug me again. She won't play alone for a good 30 minutes! No matter what toys or puzzles she was in. She just want someone to be with her all the time.

What do you do when she demands your attention after 10mins of play? You give her your attention or you tell her to go find something else to play with on her own?

It will take some time to get her used to and understanding that there will be certain times in a day where you will not be readily available to play with her.

You have to firm and tell her to go and do something by herself. If 10 mins is her current maximum, set your target at 15 mins first, then gradually increase it over a period of a few weeks. If she's smart, she will try pouting, crying, sulking, pulling... but you have to be firm and not give in to such manipulation.[/quote]Yes, when I am cooking, I will ignore all her crying and demand. Initially she would cling to me and cry and even pull my pants, etc. But after sometime, she understands that I need to cook and will play by herself. Other than cooking, if my own stuff is not that important, I will give in to her and go back to play with her. I cannot stand her wailing.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792388https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792388Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:58:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:55:11 GMT]]>

straffan23:
Just to share, if you are a SAHM you can involve her in some of your daily routines. For example I used to get my daughter to help choose groceries at the market, then we clean the veggies together.... Some days we bake together.. Some days we make sushi or rice balls just for fun. Some other days I take out the bedsheet and drap it over furniture to make a 'house'. I realise that sometimes, children are easily bored if they play with TOYS. But if you let them invent their own FUN/TOY... their imagination runs wild and they're so busy thinking of what to do!

Thanks for the ideas!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792385https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792385Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:55:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:54:21 GMT]]>

Funz:
nanana:


Thanks, but usually she will only play alone for at most 10 minutes and she will come bug me again. She won't play alone for a good 30 minutes! No matter what toys or puzzles she was in. She just want someone to be with her all the time.

What do you do when she demands your attention after 10mins of play? You give her your attention or you tell her to go find something else to play with on her own?

It will take some time to get her used to and understanding that there will be certain times in a day where you will not be readily available to play with her.

I will tell her to find something else to play, but she refuses and will be fussing. It depends on her mood. Sometimes she will listen and go find something else to do, but most of the time she will just cry and fuss.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792383https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792383Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:54:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 05:56:29 GMT]]>Just to share, if you are a SAHM you can involve her in some of your daily routines. For example I used to get my daughter to help choose groceries at the market, then we clean the veggies together… Some days we bake together… Some days we make sushi or rice balls just for fun. Some other days I take out the bedsheet and drap it over furniture to make a ‘house’. I realise that sometimes, children are easily bored if they play with TOYS. But if you let them invent their own FUN/TOY… their imagination runs wild and they’re so busy thinking of what to do!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792062https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792062Mon, 09 Jul 2012 05:56:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 04:10:22 GMT]]>

nanana:

Thanks, but usually she will only play alone for at most 10 minutes and she will come bug me again. She won't play alone for a good 30 minutes! No matter what toys or puzzles she was in. She just want someone to be with her all the time.
What do you do when she demands your attention after 10mins of play? You give her your attention or you tell her to go find something else to play with on her own?

It will take some time to get her used to and understanding that there will be certain times in a day where you will not be readily available to play with her.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792000https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/792000Mon, 09 Jul 2012 04:10:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Sun, 08 Jul 2012 06:05:02 GMT]]>

slmkhoo:
Any change in routine can be upsetting to small kids, and if you have been away a bit more, that may have caused the crankiness. Just spend a little more time with her one on one when you get back. It may help to let her know roughly when you will get back. Even if she can't tell time, you can say 'after lunch' or 'when you get up from your nap' etc.


As for the boredom issue, some kids use that to get more attention, especially if they find that parents get more concerned about that than throwing a tantrum. Try to give her one on one time (fully concentrated, without reading, watching TV or checking sms on the side!) for a while, then explain that you need to do some tasks uninterrupted and she needs to play alone for a while. It could help to show her where the hands of the clock will be when you are done, or use a timer.

Another thing I read, which I have found very true, is that kids NEED boredom in order to make them exercise creativity. Kids who have too much organised activity and adult attention don't need to be creative in finding things to do. Even though they may not like it, letting them be bored will force them to find something to do. Just make sure she has lots of toys and materials that encourage creativity - art materials, empty boxes and containers, Lego, dolls etc, and let her be. I'm not advocating leaving her alone for hours a day, but 30 mins while you finish some tasks or cook a meal is actually good for her. You will be surprised at what she could come up with.
Thanks, but usually she will only play alone for at most 10 minutes and she will come bug me again. She won't play alone for a good 30 minutes! No matter what toys or puzzles she was in. She just want someone to be with her all the time.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791553https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791553Sun, 08 Jul 2012 06:05:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Sun, 08 Jul 2012 01:01:54 GMT]]>

nanana:

Oh. If someone said this to her, she will get affected and behavior changed? I think must be the teachers from her school if someone really said this to her.
Ah but then? The kids will take it seriously. Usually they will become more clingy and easily angered because they feel insecure and threatened. They may refused to go to school (don't sound like your case) or part from mum, and get angry easily with mum for 'abandoning' them.

Good that she is better now, maybe just give her more structure and predictability.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791474https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791474Sun, 08 Jul 2012 01:01:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 15:17:32 GMT]]>

ammonite:
Oh one more very common one - ask her if anyone said that if she doesn't behave, she cannot go home, or mummy won't come back.

Oh. If someone said this to her, she will get affected and behavior changed? I think must be the teachers from her school if someone really said this to her.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791381https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791381Sat, 07 Jul 2012 15:17:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 15:14:37 GMT]]>

ammonite:
It's not that she used to be 'good', and has become bad. It is that she is growing and discovering emotions and opinions (may or may not be due to the recent changes in daily routine) and you are both unsettled by this. She sounds like she wants more attention and interaction, and she needs a rough routine for greater predictability. You should have fixed time when you do things with her and reallyfocus on her, and then time when she has to entertain herself - about half an hour max - but still in the same room as you. let small things go - eg pillow and handkerchief, after all these are HER things. Work in regular outdoor time with her, it is also a good time for you to get out and meet other adults. Consider if she is getting enough sleep. If she has just dropped her nap, she may still not be able to cope with it fully and may need a rest time. If she started school this year, she may be tired/ excited from it and needs to unwind. Some kids need to talk a lot to unwind. Others need to be left alone. This is all normal. If there are other changes in her behavior, try to talk to her to find out if something is unsettling her.

Thanks. I don't have a fixed time when I will play with her and when she will play alone. I think what happened was a passing phase and thankfully now she started to behave better. Yes, I realized when I really focus on her, she gets very happy. But when I need to do my own stuff, she gets upset. 😞

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791379https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791379Sat, 07 Jul 2012 15:14:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:53:18 GMT]]>Oh one more very common one - ask her if anyone said that if she doesn’t behave, she cannot go home, or mummy won’t come back.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791140https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791140Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:53:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:50:08 GMT]]>It’s not that she used to be ‘good’, and has become bad. It is that she is growing and discovering emotions and opinions (may or may not be due to the recent changes in daily routine) and you are both unsettled by this. She sounds like she wants more attention and interaction, and she needs a rough routine for greater predictability. You should have fixed time when you do things with her and reallyfocus on her, and then time when she has to entertain herself - about half an hour max - but still in the same room as you. let small things go - eg pillow and handkerchief, after all these are HER things. Work in regular outdoor time with her, it is also a good time for you to get out and meet other adults. Consider if she is getting enough sleep. If she has just dropped her nap, she may still not be able to cope with it fully and may need a rest time. If she started school this year, she may be tired/ excited from it and needs to unwind. Some kids need to talk a lot to unwind. Others need to be left alone. This is all normal. If there are other changes in her behavior, try to talk to her to find out if something is unsettling her.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791138https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/791138Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:50:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:14:01 GMT]]>These few days my girl has been extremely cranky. She doesn't mention bored anymore but she develops a lot of nonsense behavior, talk non stop and cry a LOT.

She can talk and talk and talk and demand that we listen to her. I have to acknowledge her by saying \"Ok\" or \"hmm\" or \"ya\" or \"yes\".. etc. If not she will repeat again and again what she just said and cry. She gets irritated when her ideas are not heard and responded.

She used to be good. But now she cries easily. She wants only HER WAY. If not she will make a big fuss out of it.
Example, she wants her pillow and handkerchief to be put on her bed the exact shape and location she placed them. She said I cannot touch it. If I touch it, she will get angry and cry and want me to put it back the exact shape and way it used to be. There are lots more nonsense from her from the time she wakes up till her bedtime. She talks non stop and demands lots of attention. When she wants something, she wants it no matter what. If I don't give it to her, she will cry heavily and create a scene.

She makes me very frustrated these few days and never fails to make me angry.
I have been thinking if there is something that trigger her change in behavior. But there are nothing except that my dad was hospitalized and I had to go to the hospital to visit him and leave my girl with my mother in law or sometimes with my husband if he can take leave.

Is she feeling insecure? HELP...... 😞

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/790900https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/790900Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:14:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 02:23:58 GMT]]>Thanks all for your help!

Although she has many puzzles at home, will get new ones for her. 🙂

Water color is good, just that I am afraid she will make a mess around the house.
Outdoor play is good, pick fallen leaves? She loves it! I ever let her pick some leaves and she enjoyed it very much. Will bring her out more often to the park. 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/789545https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/789545Thu, 05 Jul 2012 02:23:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 02:15:34 GMT]]>Instead of colour pencils and paper, give her water colour, finger paint and even chalk. Get her to explore the effects on different materials, writing paper, drawing paper, cardboard, old t-shirt, kitchen towel. Still, cannot expect a 3yr old to stay at a task for too long without adult facilitation.


She sounds like a rather active girl too. Bring her out for good outdoor play, go to the park or playground. Bring some paper and pencils along to draw or do rubbings of the different trees and even pavings. Pick fallen leaves and twigs home for a collage. These will engage them.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/789533https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/789533Thu, 05 Jul 2012 02:15:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:57:36 GMT]]>

ksi:
nanana:

Thanks all for your advices. Yes I agree play dates is good. But I don't have many friends with kids who are available for play dates. Most are working and kids are in childcare or grandparents' care.


Old toys yes, she will get a bit more interested, but after just a while, she gets bored of it too.

Maybe I need to bring her outside for some fresh air cum play, but recently the weather is terrible, she just recovered from viral fever. Need to think of many new things for her to occupy her time. I hope this really is a passing phase!

There are indoor playgrounds you can bring her to. There is one in Paragon. There is one at Junction 8, outside the area next to Haagan Das. Think this is semi outdoor, probably good for evenings. These are the free ones and there are some paid ones which can be found here:
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/indoor-playgrounds

Alternatively, sign her up for kids gym, then she will be too tired to feel bored.

Btw, I am curious, where did she learn the word 'bored' or \"boring\"? My blur girl did not know how to say that at the same age.

I know of an indoors playground! Sembawang Shopping Centre has one. As I live in that area I roughly know.

It's just outside Astons and the Hong Kong cafe. 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/789357https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/789357Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:57:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:55:08 GMT]]>Wait till she is about P5. She won't have the time to feel bored alr :rotfl: xD


Just joking.

Maybe if she's bored you can get her some educational TV shows or games to play and watch.

Or just buy some puzzles for her. Puzzles can help in visualization and improve our memory and brain capacity. Good for children and kiasu moms who want a head start for their children so they won't feel a sudden stress when they enter primary school.

Don't get those with over a few hundred pieces cos it'll get really boring. Being children, maybe those with 30 to 50 pieces will do.

Don't get those boring puzzles that turn out to not have any picture at all. Buy those with colors that are bright and attention-grabbing.

Just my two cents 🙂 Hope it helps

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/789355https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/789355Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:55:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:58:50 GMT]]>Regret that I don't have the intention to bear anymore children. 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/789277https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/789277Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:58:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:40:48 GMT]]>She is no child genius. lol. She is not good at mathematics actually. Only good at speech? She can speak very well.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/788441https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/788441Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:40:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to My 3.5 years old girl keep saying she is bored! on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 05:14:56 GMT]]>Maybe she needs intellectual/mental stimulation. We might be looking at a child genius here.


Try Jigsaw puzzles and throw her some mathmatical questions. 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/788061https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/788061Tue, 03 Jul 2012 05:14:56 GMT