As parents, it's tempting to fill our kids' days with activities and entertainment. Parenting coach BrookeLynne Dukes, however, suggests that allowing kids to be bored is very important. Boredom gives children an opportunity to come up with their own solutions and develop their task initiation skills. Writer and life coach Glennon Doyle agrees with this idea and warns of the long-term consequences of taking away boredom.

Parents can foster this creativity by encouraging their children to explore and come up with their own ideas for fun activities. Allowing kids to be bored can be hard, but it's an important step in helping them to become creative and independent adults.

Read more (via Scary Mommy)