“Only boring people get bored.”
It’s a cheeky phrase I’ve often said to my kids — not because I believe it’s entirely true (we all get bored sometimes!), but because it’s my gentle way of nudging them towards creativity when boredom strikes.
Recently, I was reminded of this idea again — in the most personal way. My daughter Holly, at 37 weeks pregnant, was officially done with being pregnant. She was excited beyond words to meet her baby girl, but she admitted she was also bored, restless, and ready for the next chapter.
Now that baby Emmy has arrived safely into the world, it’s easy to look back and see how important that “boring” pause was. That slow space before life changed forever. The quiet before the chaos of motherhood.
And that’s the heart of my latest article in the Spring issue of Mums & Tots magazine:
“Why Boredom Is Good.”
As a writer, parent, hypnotherapist and childcare professional, I’ve come to believe that boredom isn’t something to fear or fix — it’s something to embrace.
It’s often the quiet pause that sparks our most creative moments. I know that was true for me — the lockdowns were boring and brutal at times, but that space finally gave me the time to finish two of my bestselling parenting books, something I couldn’t seem to manage before.
It’s true for children, too. When we don’t rush to fill every moment — with screen time, with structured activities, or shiny new distractions — we allow space for curiosity, imagination, and resilience to bloom.
And sometimes, we learn this lesson through toys.
🧸When Holly was still waiting for Emmy’s arrival, the toy collection had already begun growing faster than her bump! But here’s something I shared in the article that might surprise you:
The 80/20 Toy Rule
Most children consistently play with just 20% of their toys, 80% of the time.
Why? Because play is emotional. Kids return to toys that bring them joy, comfort, or a challenge. That one doll, train set or stack of blocks becomes a daily go-to, while the rest sit forgotten on the shelf. Sound familiar?
It’s not a sign you’ve bought the “wrong” toys — it just means they’re forming attachments to what feels right for them in the moment. The key is to:
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Keep favourite toys accessible
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Rotate lesser-used ones to spark curiosity
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And most importantly — model curiosity yourself
Because boredom isn’t the enemy. It’s the birthplace of creativity.
In the article, I explore how embracing boredom helps children:
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Develop emotional resilience
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Build independence
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Cultivate gratitude for simple, everyday pleasures
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Rely on their own resourcefulness instead of external stimulation
It’s a message that applies to mums too — whether you're waiting for a baby, navigating motherhood, or rediscovering yourself post-cancer (as I help women do through my work with Mumatherapy).
From one generation of mums to the next — boredom is not a sign of failure. It’s a sign of possibility. A moment to rest, to reflect, to reconnect with who you are and what really matters.
✨May boredom be the beginning of something creative for you too today.
You can read the full article “Why Boredom is Good” in the Spring issue of Mums & Tots Magazine, available in shops and online now.
You can also read more boring busting tips in my book The Confident Parents Guide to raising a Happy, Healthy & Successful Child available from all good book shops including Amazon or email me [email protected] for a special £20 two book bundle, that also includes The Powerful Proactive Parents Guide to Present Parenting, personally signed with a special message of your choice ( a great baby shower gift for that new mum!)
With love,
Em 💕
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